- Mercedes’ electric vehicles are currently undergoing a transformation phase to become more similar to the combustion engine range.
- Models of the same size such as the EQE and the E-Class will “combine again” in terms of style.
- The revised EQS’s more traditional grille is a sign of things to come, as is the G-Wagen’s electric derivative.
Mercedes-Benz is aware of the criticism of the design of its electric offerings and plans to reduce the visual differentiation in its product range with combustion engines. According to Robert Lesnik, head of exterior design at Mercedes, their future electric vehicles will adopt more styling cues from their internal combustion engine-powered equivalents.
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Lesnik explained that the first generation of the EQ series – namely the EQE and EQS sedans and SUVs – had to look radically different as it introduced electric vehicles to the brand’s customers. However, people are now used to electric vehicles, so this distinction will soon become obsolete.
More: Mercedes says goodbye to egg-shaped electric vehicles and drops EQ name
Speaking to Autocar during the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, Lesnik said: “We wanted to do something different, and that’s what we did. But we’ve always said: at a certain point, the further you look into the future, everything becomes more similar.”
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The designer revealed that Mercedes’ electric vehicles are in a “transformation phase”, adding that similarly sized models such as the Mercedes-Benz EQE and E-Class are “growing back together” in terms of design. That sounds like BMW’s strategy, where ICE and EV derivatives – like the 5 Series and i5 – have the same design.
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS
Lesnik acknowledged the “danger” that electric cars could become too similar in the future, which is why they need to go back to their roots to combine distinct style elements with the brand: “We have four iconic grilles at Mercedes, more than any other brand “, and we have to use them.” Despite the changes, the new generation of electric vehicles will continue to be influenced by the existing models and will continue to focus on efficiency and aerodynamic features such as the wheels.
The change has already begun
The German brand recently unveiled the facelifted version of the EQS flagship, combining a more traditional grille with the iconic hood ornament. These small changes make the electric vehicle look much more like a Mercedes and respond to earlier criticism from part of the customer base.
On a related note, the all-electric Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ looks almost identical to the rest of the facelifted G-Class range. The designers’ goal with the iconic off-roader is for people to be unable to tell the difference between powertrain types from a distance of 20 m (65 feet).
A sign of the future of future Mercedes electric vehicles is the CLA Concept from last year. The four-door coupe is a preview of a future compact-sized production electric vehicle, trading the egg-shaped silhouette of the EQ brand’s electric vehicles for more appealing three-box proportions.
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