After two and a half years, the Mercedes EQE has a strong rival: the Audi A6 Sportback e-Tron built on the PPE platform with Porsche. What does each offer?
The Mercedes EQE is a business-class three-volume limousine built on the dedicated EVA II electric platform with 400V technology. The Audi A6 Sportback e-tron is a two-volume fastback limousine with a generous hayon, built on the dedicated PPE electric platform, with 800V technology, developed with Porsche.
Six versions at Mercedes EQE, two to start for the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron
Launching in early 2022, the Mercedes EQE has a full range of six versions: two with a rear axle engine (Mercedes EQE 300/245 PS and Mercedes EQE 350+/292 PS) and four with two engines and all-wheel drive (Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic/292 PS, Mercedes EQE 500 4Matic/408 P), Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4Matic/476 PS and Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4Matic/625 PS). All versions have the same battery pack, with a net capacity of 90.6 kWh.
When sales start in September 2024, the Audi A6 Sportback e-Tron will be available with two powertrains. The Audi A6 Sportback e-Tron has a 367 PS rear axle engine, while the S6 Sportback e-Tron has two engines developing 503 PS (550 PS with Launch Control). Both versions use a 100 kWh gross (94.9 kWh net) battery, and a smaller 83 kWh gross battery version will be available in the future.
The Audi A6 Sportback e-tron accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 5.4 seconds compared to 6.5 seconds in the Mercedes EQE 350+, while the top speed is 210 kph in both models.
The top-spec Audi S6 Sportback e-tron accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 3.9 seconds compared to 3.5 seconds in the AMG EQE 53 4Matic and 4.2 seconds in the AMG EQE 43 AMG. Audi’s top model reaches a top speed of 240 kph compared to 210 in the AMG EQE 43 and 220 kph in the AMG EQE 53.
Significantly higher charging speed and range for Audi
The Mercedes EQE utilizes the dedicated EVAII electric platform with 400V technology, and therefore, the charging power doesn’t impress. All versions are combined with a single 90.6 kWh net battery that charges up to 170 kW at DC stations. On the other hand, the Mercedes EQE charges up to 22 kW at AC stations.
The Audi A6 Sportback e-Tron uses PPE’s dedicated electric platform with 800V technology, and the charging power is significantly higher. The battery is charged at DC stations with up to 270 kW, so in just 10 minutes it charges up to 310 km range, and charge from 10 to 80% takes just 21 minutes. Mercedes needs 32 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%. At AC stations, Audi charges up to 11 kW, but in the future, it will offer charging at 22 kW.
Audi is also clearly superior in terms of range. The Mercedes EQE 350+ has a WLTP range of 689 km compared to 756 km for the A6 Sportback e-Tron, which impresses with an excellent CX of just 0.21.
The top version of the Audi S6 Sportback e-Tron can also cover 675 km between two charges, while the range of the AMG models is much lower: 504 km in the AMG EQE 43 and 500 km in the AMG EQE 53. The range difference is significant while prices are comparable.
For example, the Audi S6 Sportback e-Tron version costs €99,500 while the AMG EQE 43 4Matic is €5,000 more expensive at €104,755.
In contrast, the A6 Sportback e-Tron version costs €75,600 while the Mercedes EQE 350+ is priced at €71,412, which is €4,000 cheaper but also has 75 PS less.
Air suspension optional or standard
At Mercedes, adaptive air suspension is optional on the EQE 300, 350+, 350 4Matic, and EQE 500 4Matic (€2,082) and standard on AMG models. The Audi A6 and S6 Sportback come standard with conventional suspension, with adaptive air suspension optional.
Sophisticated multimedia systems on both models
The multimedia system of the Audi A6 Sportback e-Tron includes two screens: an 11.9-inch digital instrument display, and a 14.5-inch multimedia display grouped under the same curved display and a 10.9-inch passenger display. The passenger screen has an Active Privacy Mode that allows the passenger to watch movies while driving. Optionally, the driver can view information on the augmented reality head-up display.
The multimedia system uses the Android Automotive AS operating system, which means Audi uses different software than VW’s Cariad division. The system can be updated over the air at any time, allows real-time load scheduling, and has apps like YouTube available via the Audi Application Store.
The Mercedes EQE comes standard with the 12.3-inch digital instrument display and the 11.9-inch portrait display on the EQE 300, 350+, and 350 4Matic. The top EQE 500 4Matic and the two AMG models come standard with the Hypersreen screen that incorporates three displays and spans the full width of the car. The Hyperscreen can also be ordered extra on the first three versions for €5,831 after the price was reduced from €8,500.
Verdict
The Audi A6 Sport e-Tron and S6 Sportback e-tron have significantly better range than the Mercedes EQE regardless of engine and faster charging speeds thanks to the 800V technology platform.
