Ever wondered about the car you’ll be driving in 2030? Spoiler alert: there’s a good chance it’s going to take a lead from the one that’s standing before me right now.

The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ couldn’t look more distinct from the homogenous gaggle of modern-day vehicles surrounding it than if a UFO had landed in this industrial estate car park.

Such a striking aesthetic, complete with beautifully balanced proportions borne of cutting-edge aerodynamic wizardry, is a strong indication that this EQS 53 is genuinely future-ready.

It’s not the only sign that this vehicle is something quite extraordinary. This is the first all-electric Mercedes-AMG model to be put into production. I’ll say that again – the all-electric AMG has arrived. It’s an undeniably historic moment in the proud history of the performance brand.

On paper, the EQS 53 presents as a confluence of premium elements from all of the Mercedes-Benz sub-brands: incredible AMG performance, cutting-edge electromobility via Mercedes-EQ; but also, all the luxury, safety, innovation and prestige of this car’s spiritual predecessor, the iconic Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It’s an enticing promise, but can all this really co-exist in one model?

Futuristic expectations

The striking first impression of the EQS 53 fuels a futuristic expectation, further reinforced by flush-fitting door handles that rise to greet your hand on approach. Stepping into the low-slung cabin, it’s impossible to look anywhere but at the single, shapely piece of glass stretching almost the entire width of the front fascia.

The gorgeous MBUX Hyperscreen incorporates three vibrant displays, including one solely for the use of the front-seat passenger to tap directly into a wide array of vehicle functions (or kick back when parked and watch some live television).

With switches and buttons all but banished, the cockpit looks and feels precisely the way you hoped cars one day would. It’s not just for show, though – almost every required function can be quickly and simply summoned via the intuitive touchscreen ‘zero-layer’ interface. The latest MBUX infotainment technology ensures that whatever function you need is always easily accessible.

The dashboard screen on the driver’s side can be customised with a variety of themes and displays – these can be as information-rich, or as minimalist as the driver desires. The standard head-up display can also be set to show different information sets, while the optional Augmented Reality HUD fitted to our test car superimposes navigational prompts into the driver’s view through the windscreen to point to the next turn as it approaches.

A beautifully finished Nappa leather steering wheel lays everything the driver needs instantly to hand. Bearing witness to the fact that – electric drivetrain or not – this is indeed a true Mercedes-AMG, a rotary dial and additional shortcut buttons enable rapid on-the-fly changes to driving parameters.

Alloy steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters also fall precisely to the fingertips, but because this all-electric vehicle only has one forward gear, these beautifully shaped paddles have been repurposed.

Their new job is to toggle through the energy regeneration modes that feed extra charge back to the battery during braking and deceleration, optimising  the vehicle’s driving range. It’s a smart feature, especially for daily commuters and during stop-start trips around town, but it can also be deactivated, to preserve a more traditional driving experience.

New traditions

Having said that, ‘traditional’ is not the word that springs to mind when powering up the EQS 53 and hitting the road. In default Comfort mode, the lack of engine and tyre noise is immediately apparent as I tap the Start button in the centre console, select Drive, and squeeze the accelerator to ease out of the carpark and onto the road.

Yet there’s also a lot that’s familiar and welcome about the overall driving experience. Despite a radically different electric architecture, the driving position in the EQS is essentially the same as its S-Class cousin. The way it feels and reacts as we navigate the winding boulevards of a suburban industrial estate is also immediately recognisable.

One key exception is the accelerative prowess of the EQS 53. With a sizable battery pack under the floor and packed to the gunwales with technology and luxury, the five-seater is undoubtedly a large car. But make no mistake, this thing can hustle.

Pure performance

Electric vehicles are generally renowned for delivering instantaneous torque, so there’s no waiting around for gears or turbos to come alive. Into the EQS 53 mix you can add an AMG-enhanced electric motor at each axle, generating a combined 484 kW of power and 950 Nm of torque. Yes, you read those figures correctly.

Whether it’s a smooth take-off at a set of traffic lights or a seamless lane change, the vehicle’s responsiveness is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s pure performance, which can very quickly become quite addictive.

The virtual silence of an electric drivetrain is a godsend when you want to have a conversation or crank up the standard Burmester 3D 15-speaker surround-sound system. But a Mercedes-AMG vehicle begs to be driven, and should deliver both visceral and aural rewards.

The switchable AMG SOUND EXPERIENCE feature brings in a synthesised sound world that’s audible both inside the car and out. It’s something new, and not an attempt to replicate the rumble of an internal combustion V8, nor is there the drama of a gear shift so familiar to fans of the brand. Instead, the clever software creates a soundscape that matches the tone and intensity of how you drive, and should be more than enough to satisfy the target market for such an unashamedly opulent model.

Dynamics that honour the AMG badge

The EQS 53 certainly lives up to the AMG badge on the boot with its sublime handling ability, thanks largely to the battery pack’s weight sitting so close to the ground. For an upper-large saloon with a spacious back seat and long boot, it feels at least two sizes smaller to drive thanks in part to standard four-wheel steering that demands only gentle steering inputs to carve through a series of bends, in combination with 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive.

Even in AMG-feted Sport+ Mode, ride quality is never harsh, while Comfort mode is another reminder, if any were needed, that the ‘S’ in EQS continues to honour salubrious S-Class traditions. An indicative driving range of around 500km makes this EQS 53 long-legged enough for weekends away, and even cross-country touring.

What’s probably most astonishing about the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is its extraordinary breadth of talent. Packed with comfort and luxurious features, infused with cutting-edge technology, harnessing all of AMG’s trademark performance (and then some), it’s also leading an exciting new generation of vehicles for the electric age.

And best of all, there’s no need to wait until 2030. The future is here now.

By Steve Colquhoun