Performance edition set to add fizz to a swathe of impending electric introductions from the world’s oldest car maker.

AN AMG flagship of a medium electric sedan expected to land in New Zealand within the next 12 months is also coming.

The EQE and next-size-up EQS sedans are headliners among the incoming electric pure products Mercedes Benz New Zealand appears to have earmarked for probable availability within the next 12 months.

The sedans seem likely to be more high profile than the EQB people-carrier and EQV van also impending and a second version of the EQA compact hatch already here, simply because of their dramatic styling.

Now the communications office responsible for New Zealand and Australia has confirmed that an AMG version of the EQE, just unveiled in Germany, is also set to come to this country, though there’s no word on exactly when. 

That situation, in fact, also hangs over all the models mentioned above, according to regional comms manager Ryan Lewis.

 “At this stage it’s too early to put a specific time frame on vehicle arrivals. Further information including local specification will be available closer to launch.

“… the same goes for Australia in terms of timeline on EQE 53.”

Lewis says fans can expect to see other world premieres this year but, insofar as absolute confirmations go, the only one is the EQA 350, to support EQA 250 that is already on sale.

Notwithstanding, at a media event for the new C-Class sedan staged last week, the brand’s local management acknowledged preparation for EQS strategy was now under way and also indicated EQB and EQV are close.

In that discussion, those representatives declined to offer thought about reports Benz is preparing sports utility wagon versions of the EQS and EQE – effectively to serve as battery-compelled alternates, or replacements, for the GLS and GLE SUVs.

 As its name suggests, EQE presents as an electric alternate to the fossil fuel reliant E-Class, which is also expected to enter into a new generation in 2023.

The AMG model delivers with two potent electric motors, all-wheel-drive and a more aggressive visual package.

 The motors are mated with a 90.6kWh battery pack and good for outputs of 460kW and 950Nm in standard mode, increasing to 505kW and 1000Nm in Race Start launch control mode, available as part of a AMG Dynamic Plus package.

Mercedes-AMG cites a 0-100kmh sprint time of 3.3 seconds with the Dynamic Plus package and 3.5 seconds without, towards top speeds of 240kmh and 220kmh respectively.

It is the second ‘53’ variant of an EQ; last year AMG revealed the EQS 53. 

The EQE53 was revealed alongside a less potent EQE43 model that isn’t expected to be offered here.

Testing to Europe’s WLTP standard has established the EQE 53 can achieve between 444km and 518km of driving range. It can take170kW DC fast charging, with 15 minutes on a DC charger delivering up to 180km of range.

 The variable 4Matic Plus all-wheel-drive system, which can vary the torque split across the axles up to 160 times per second, with different power distribution between drive modes.

 An adaptive air suspension is standard, as is rear-wheel steering (with up to 3.6 degrees of rotation), 21-inch alloy wheels, and 415mm front and 378mm rear steel brakes with six-piston front and single-piston rear calipers.

Buyers can option enlarged carbon-ceramic brakes, with 440mm front discs.

Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual drive modes are offered. Each affects powertrain response, suspension firmness, stability control intervention, steering weight, and the power output.

Silent running need not be entertained. The car gets AMG Sound Experience, which uses a sound generator to play a digitised sound through the speakers as the car drives.

The visual changes include a new grille, a revised lower front splitter, new rear diffuser with black inserts, and a black rear lip spoiler.