Mercedes launches new eco-conscious family EQS SUV

A new eco-conscious seven-seater family sports utility vehicle has been launched by Mercedes-Benz. 

But with its hefty price-tag and soaring electricity charges, you’d better start saving now. 

The new EQS SUV is an electric battery-powered alternative to the current GLS SUV and goes on sale next year with a price-tag expected at about £110,000. 

The entry-level 450+ rear-wheel-drive model manages the longest 409mile range — though an all-wheel-drive 450 4MATIC version with two electric motors reduces that to 380miles. 

The most powerful 580 4Matic all-wheel-drive version also has a claimed range of 380 miles. 

Although no official figures have been released, it’s expected to sprint from rest to 62mph in about 4.5 seconds. 

Charging from a rapid 200kW charger will provide 80 per cent of power in 31 minutes.

The EQS SUV also comes equipped for 11kW AC charging from wall-boxes in around 10 hours.

It shares the long wheelbase (3210 millimetres) with the EQS Saloon, but is over 20 centimetres higher.

Up to four golf bags fit in the boot.

Five seats are standard and seven seats – with a third row of two – is optional.

‘Good old days’ revisited in Ted Macauley’s new memoirs

They were different times. But oh, what times. If you want a flavour of rip-roaring motoring and motor racing in ‘the good old days’ — on two wheels and four — dip into veteran scribe Ted Macauley’s new memoirs Raring to Go! (£16.99, Veloce Publishing). 

It features a cast of thousands from the worlds of motorsport, motoring, showbiz and even Hollywood — including fun with sporting superstars such as Barry Sheene, George Best, Michael Schumacher and Mike ­Hailwood, plus encounters with comedian Billy Connolly, Michael Caine, Ringo Starr and Paul Newman, and a particularly boozy session with actor Lee Marvin on set for the war movie The Big Red One. 

• For more information, visit veloce.co.uk