The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS is reminiscent of concept cars seen in visually striking Sci-Fi films of future civilizations. Due to COVID-19, the German automaker chose to do the big reveal in a digital world premiere on its dedicated media platform. While it would have been preferable to see such a gorgeous machine in person, a few significant characteristics stood out about the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS — most notably its massive touchscreens as well as the ultra-modern technology inside.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS should rattle Tesla’s nerves

Remember way back when Tesla ruled the automotive scene with its 17-inch touchscreens? Well, the auto industry is not an industry to take lightly. Being the wonder child only gets one so far; until they look up and see that their competitors have surpassed them.

It’s no secret that the Mercedes-Benz EQS is meant to be a direct competitor of not only Tesla but the Porsche Taycan as well (though mostly Tesla in all likelihood).

What perfect timing with Tesla recently forced to recall thousands of its vehicles due to its touchscreens, adding that they weren’t designed to last more than five or six years—a trick out of Apple’s playbook perhaps?

It was only after regulators applied pressure on Tesla did the automaker finally recall nearly 135,000 vehicles including the 2012-2018 Model S and 2016-2018 Model X.

To sum it up in short: even beyond the screen envy, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS is an example of the turtle and the hare, particularly in terms of luxury, as well as convenience and EV technology.

The 2022 EQS is touted as providing EV essentials while prioritizing luxury

According to MotorTrend, The EQS is “… an electric sedan [that] promises to nail the EV basics while spoiling occupants with luxury.”

Mercedes-Benz gave the EQS a fresh look to represent its new sub-brand — unlike traditional combustion engine models that have long front hoods and setback windshields, this luxury EV is more capable of sporting a “cab-forward” design.

In the auto industry, a cab-forward design denotes a vehicle with a “… short, stubby hood and a windshield that nearly reaches the front wheel.”

The thing that has everyone abuzz, nonetheless, is the EQS’s 56-inch wide “Hyperscreen” dashboard. This show-stopping dashboard is composed of three screens made of integrated organic light-emitting diodes (OLED or organic LED).

If that’s too fancy for you, Mercedes-Benz offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver, a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the passenger, and a massive 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen in the center console.

Other important specs to know about the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS

Per the Mercedes-Benz website, the 2022 EQS provides “electricity as luxury.” Mercedes dealers are obliged to install a new-generation wall box in your garage or home. But if you’re looking for a price tag, you’ll have to settle for clicking the “I’m Interested” button and wait for additional information at some point in the future.

Nevertheless, rumors have it that the base model EQS450+ will have an estimated MSRP of around $96,000 — a predictable price for a luxury EV like this. The EQS580 4Matic will likely be priced around $116,000, according to Car and Driver. Fairly competitive to Tesla’s Model S Plaid priced at $119,990.

The EQS450+ will be powered by a rear-mounted permanently synchronous electric motor (PMSM). It’s supposed to have a rating of 329 hp, producing 406 lb-ft of torque.

The possible deal-breaker is that while the EQS580 model is approximately 516 hp with 611 lb-ft of torque, MotorTrend claims that its top speed is subdued at 130 mph to preserve its range. The EQS’s estimated range is nearly 480 miles according to a charitable Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) test.

As can be seen in photos of the 2022 EQS, it has an aerodynamic exterior, looking as if it needs vertical thrusters rather than wheels. Mercedes claims its 19-inch wheels and power retracting door handles allow it to achieve a 0.20 coefficient of drag.

“Mercedes is claiming beats both the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S for slipperiest in the world,” the MotorTrend review points out. However, if you’re more interested in looking cool, you can trade the “coefficient of drag” for either 20-inch or 22-inch wheels.