Mercedes-Benz steer-by-wire is now available to order on the EQS sedan in all EQS markets worldwide, with pricing in Germany starting at €2,975 (about $3,350) including VAT. Mercedes-Benz says the option makes it the first German automaker to offer the technology in a series-production passenger car. The package includes rear-axle steering of up to 10 degrees and a new, flatter steering wheel.
Highlights
- Pricing: In Germany, the option starts at €2,500 (about $2,815) excluding VAT, or €2,975 (about $3,350) including VAT.
- Steering ratio: The steering wheel turns just 170 degrees from lock to lock.
- Rear-axle steering: Rear-axle steering of up to 10 degrees is included with the package.
- Availability: The option can be ordered in every EQS market worldwide.
How Steer-by-Wire Works in the EQS
The system has no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. Instead, the driver’s steering inputs travel to the front wheels through an electrical connection.
According to the company, the system significantly reduces the steering wheel angle needed, particularly at low speeds. That makes maneuvering and parking easier. Drivers no longer need to shift their grip on the wheel during tight maneuvers. The company also reports reduced steering effort.
Mercedes-Benz says steer-by-wire, combined with rear-axle steering, improves driving stability and lateral agility. The company also says the system eliminates vibrations from uneven road surfaces that a conventional system would pass through the steering wheel to the driver.
A Flatter Steering Wheel
The package includes a more compact, flatter steering wheel with a newly designed airbag structure. According to Mercedes-Benz, the wheel:
- Opens up interior space around the driver
- Improves the view of the driver display
- Eases entry and exit from the driver’s seat
The wheel is offered in black or, depending on specification, beige.
What Happens If the System Fails?
Mercedes-Benz says the system uses a redundant architecture with high-precision sensors, control units, and independent signal paths. The company says this keeps steering capability available at all times.
If the system fails completely, the company says lateral control of the vehicle can still be supported in two ways: through the rear-axle steering, and through targeted braking at individual wheels via the electronic stability program (ESP).
Where Steer-by-Wire Fits in the Updated EQS
The option arrives a few months after Mercedes-Benz unveiled the updated EQS sedan. The company says more than a quarter of the vehicle’s components were newly developed, updated, or refined in that revision.
Other changes in the updated EQS include:
- 800-volt electrical architecture
- In-house drive units
- A two-speed transmission on the rear-axle main drive
- Larger batteries with optimized cell chemistry
- The Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which controls vehicle functions and receives over-the-air updates
The company calls the EQS its technological flagship and positions it as the first model to carry steer-by-wire into series production.
