Mercedes-Benz is marching towards an electric-only future from 2025 and it’s providing a preview of what’s in store via a four-pronged EV assault at the IAA Mobility show
The event opens to the public on Tuesday in Munich – in lieu of the exhibition’s former host city of Frankfurt.
The first sign of Merc’s concerted electric push was provided by the 2019 launch of the EQC, and soon to arrive in our market is the EQS that we recently reviewed from its international launch in Switzerland.
These are only the foundation blocks as Mercedes has a number of EVs up its sleeve, with four of these set to be revealed – either in production or concept form – at the Mobility Show on Tuesday.
Mercedes-Benz EQE
The EQE is underpinned by largely the same basic EV architecture as its EQS flagship sibling. However, its more compact dimensions (similar in scale to the Merc CLS) and shorter front and rear overhangs endow the EQE with a sportier stance and, no doubt, more agile driving characteristics.
The EQE 350 will be the first model on offer, serving up a touring range of up to 660 kilometres on a single charge, with a 15-minute zap at a fast-charging station adding 250km of range.
A single electric motor drives the rear axle in the EQE 350 (dual-motor 4Matic models will follow in due course), and this unit generates 292hp and 530Nm, which should deliver respectable performance, even with the weight penalty imposed by the battery pack.
A 3,120-millimetre wheelbase means there’s ample sprawling space in the rear seats, aided by the fact there’s no transmission/driveshaft tunnel, as would be the case in a combustion-powered rear-wheel-drive car.
As with the EQS, you get the option of Airmatic air suspension, plus the whizz-bang MBUX Hyperscreen – an expansive glass display screen that sweeps across the dashboard.
Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4Matic+
Think AMG and you’re probably imagining a ground-quaking V8 exhaust note that wakes the neighbours from their slumber. Well, this is a new take on the theme as the EQS 53 is the first electrified offering from AMG and is, therefore, all but silent from the outside.
At the heart of the new EQS 53 4Matic+ is a dual-motor power train (one each for front and rear axles), with a fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system optimally transmitting the drive power to the tarmac in all driving conditions.
The base model thumps out 658hp and 950Nm, while an optional AMG Dynamic Plus package ups the ante to a mind-numbing 761hp in Race Start mode with boost function. The maximum motor torque in this instance is then boosted to 1,020Nm.
Mercedes claims the EQS 53 4Matic+ with the Dynamic Plus package accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in 3.4 seconds and can hit 250kph with a battery charge level of at least 80 per cent. Even the basic version is no slug as it scoots from 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds and can reach 220kph (as long as there’s 80 per cent battery charge).
Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS
Maybach is Mercedes-Benz’s premium sub-brand, so it obviously cannot be left behind as the whole company moves towards electrification. Sure enough, the first clear preview of Maybach’s first fully electric series production model debuts at Munich, and it’s anything but subtle.
The SUV concept vehicle is based on a version of the modular architecture used by the EQS and EQE, but elevates the technology to an entirely different market segment as the Maybach sub-brand is pitched squarely against Rolls-Royce and Bentley. In line with its lofty market positioning, the interior fit-out is ultra-premium.
The visual differentiation between the Maybach and mainstream Mercedes models begins with the elaborate two-tone paint finish in obsidian black metallic and zircon red metallic, with a fine pinstripe in chrome as a visual dividing line.
There are lashings of chrome on the air intakes and diffuser at the front and rear, as well as the side window frames. The B-pillars are also chrome-plated and have been exclusively finished with a subtle brand emblem pattern. The Maybach “M” can also be found on the D-pillar.
The rear quarters are fittingly sumptuous, thanks to Executive seats and the Chauffeur Package. Also unique to the Maybach are bespoke door panels, the armrests of which are designed like high-quality sideboards. Trim elements inside are finished in white piano lacquer with materials in deep-sea blue, which are meant to recreate the ambience of an elegant yacht.
Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG
The Concept EQG is touted by Mercedes as a “near-production” version of the venerable Gelandewagen – better known as the G-Class. Although tech details are still sketchy at this stage, Merc claims the EQG will be an “uncompromising off-roader”, as it retains the rugged ladder-frame chassis of the existing combustion-powered G-Class.
It also retains independent suspension on the front axle and a rigid axle at the rear, although the whole lot is being re-engineered for the integration of electric drive.
The company says: “With four electric motors close to the wheels and individually controllable, the vehicle will offer unique driving characteristics both on and off-road.”
As with any bona fide 4x4, the Concept EQG's off-road reduction can be activated via a shiftable two-speed gearbox in order to meet the high “G”-specific off-road requirements with confidence.
In order to earn its stripes before going into production, the electrified G-Class will have to conquer the hallowed test track on the 1,445-metre high Schockl mountain in Graz, Austria, at the end of its development into a series model. Replete with gradients of up to 60 degrees, the 5.6km route is as gnarly as it gets.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
SPECS
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS & THE ECONOMY
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
match info
Chelsea 2
Willian (13'), Ross Barkley (64')
Liverpool 0
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court (4pm UAE/12pm GMT)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Heather Watson (GBR)
Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) v Karen Khachanov (RUS x30)
Andy Murray (GBR x1) v Fabio Fognini (ITA x28)
Court 1 (4pm UAE)
Steve Johnson (USA x26) v Marin Cilic (CRO x7)
Johanna Konta (GBR x6) v Maria Sakkari (GRE)
Naomi Osaka (JPN) v Venus Williams (USA x10)
Court 2 (2.30pm UAE)
Aljaz Bedene (GBR) v Gilles Muller (LUX x16)
Peng Shuai (CHN) v Simona Halep (ROM x2)
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x13) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x12) v Sam Querrey (USA x24)
Court 3 (2.30pm UAE)
Kei Nishikori (JPN x9) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x18)
Carina Witthoeft (GER) v Elina Svitolina (UKR x4)
Court 12 (2.30pm UAE)
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x8) v Ana Konjuh (CRO x27)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) v Ruben Bemelmans (BEL)
Court 18 (2.30pm UAE)
Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) v Madison Brengle (USA)
Benoit Paire (FRA) v Jerzy Janowicz (POL)
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The Bio
Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959
Indian currency was then legal tender in the Trucial States.
He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses
Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas
His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s
Buxani grew the UAE business over several sectors from retail to financial services but is attached to the original textile business
He talks in detail about natural fibres, the texture of cloth, mirrorwork and embroidery
Buxani lives by a simple philosophy – do good to all
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
