AMG's Tesla Model S rival revealed! 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 electric car beats BMW i5 and Audi A6 e-tron to punch with incredible power and torque

Mercedes-AMG has revealed its next all-electric model, the EQE53 large sedan, which has been confirmed for an Australian release.

Local launch timing, pricing and specification are yet to be locked in, but the EQE53 does take Mercedes-Benz’s EQE to the next level with a high-performance powertrain and other sporty features.

The headline act, of course, is the EQE53’s dual electric motors, which are mounted front and rear for fully variable 4Matic+ all-wheel drive and a combined 460kW of power and 950Nm of torque. But the ante can be upped to an even more ludicrous 505kW/1000Nm with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package fitted.

As standard, the EQE53 can rocket from a standstill to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds while on the way to a top speed of 220km/h. But with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package’s overboost via launch control, it can hit triple digits in just 3.3s and has a terminal velocity of 240km/h.

It’s worth noting an EQE43 variant will also be available in other markets, with its 350kW/858Nm dual-motor powertrain delivering 4Matic AWD, a 4.2s zero-to-100km/h sprint time and a 210km/h top speed.

Comparatively, the ‘regular’ EQE is currently only available in entry-level EQE350 form, with its 215kW/530Nm single-motor powertrain of the rear-wheel-drive variety. It’s due in Australia in the second half of 2022. Of note, a yet-to-be-detailed AWD version with a second electric motor will eventually become available.

But back to the Tesla Model S-rivalling EQE53. It has the same 90.6kWh lithium-ion battery as the EQE350 but provides up to 518km of WLTP-certified driving range, as opposed to the latter’s 660km maximum. The EQE43 tops out at 533km, for the record.

The shared battery supports 170kW DC fast charging and 22kW AC charging, with the former able to add back 180km of driving range in just 15 minutes in the EQE53 and EQE43. For reference, the EQE350 can regain 250km in the same timeframe.

So, what else separates the EQE53 (and EQE43) from the EQE pack? Well, there’s four drive modes (Slippery, Comfort, Sport and Sport+), the sports tune for the adaptive air suspension, sports brakes, standard rear-axle steering and space-age vehicle sounds inside and out.

And let’s not forget the obligatory body kit (including a closed-off version of Mercedes-AMG’s signature Panamericana grille), bespoke 20- or 21-inch alloy wheels, sports steering wheel and front seats, and carbon-fibre trim.