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Mercedes is taking another swing at the EQS, and this time the fix is more radical than a fresh grille or a new set of bumpers. The brand’s flagship electric sedan is set to gain steer-by-wire technology, along with a yoke-style steering wheel, in a second facelift aimed at giving the luxury EV a much-needed lift.
The move comes after the EQS struggled to connect with buyers. Its original design, smooth to the point of anonymity, never quite sparked the kind of enthusiasm Mercedes had hoped for. A first facelift arrived in 2024 with a more conventional face, a hood ornament, interior revisions, and a larger battery, but that was only the opening act.
A bold shift behind the wheel
Now Mercedes is going further. The company has confirmed that the updated EQS will adopt steer-by-wire technology, a system that removes the direct mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels. In practice, that means lighter steering effort, less need to shuffle your hands through turns, and a more relaxed feel in day-to-day driving. Tiny inputs can translate into meaningful direction changes. That is the promise, anyway.
Mercedes also says the system cuts out road vibrations that would normally travel through the steering wheel, since there is no physical connection. At the same time, the automaker insists the setup will still deliver a “precise, intuitive steering feel,” even though the whole thing is now managed digitally.
The technology will be optional, and Mercedes says it has already been tested over more than one million kilometers. Safety appears to be central to the pitch, with redundant signal paths built in so steering capability is always maintained. No drama. No dead ends.
The yoke arrives
With steer-by-wire comes a new steering wheel, and Mercedes is fully committing to the yoke look. The design is rectangular, with four spokes and curved sections at the top and bottom. It gives the cabin a more futuristic feel, but it also serves a practical purpose. Mercedes says the shape opens up more space for the driver, makes getting in and out easier, and improves visibility of the digital instrument cluster, which is no longer partially hidden by a conventional wheel rim.
There is a catch, of course. The new shape required Mercedes to engineer a dedicated airbag, which shows just how much work goes into making such a seemingly simple change road-ready.
Inside and out, the EQS is still being reshaped
Spy-style interior images suggest the cabin will not be reinvented, but it should gain an updated infotainment system with new graphics and a revised menu structure. It is expected to run Mercedes-Benz Operating System, the company’s latest software platform that first appeared on the CLA and is gradually spreading across the lineup.
Outside, the refreshed EQS is also getting visual updates. Early glimpses show star-themed headlights, along with the likelihood of a new grille design and revised bumpers. It sounds like Mercedes wants the car to look less anonymous and more unmistakably premium, which was always the point.
The bigger news may be what is happening underneath. The EQS is widely expected to move to an 800-volt electrical architecture, a change that could dramatically improve charging speed. A new battery pack, likely with updated cell chemistry, is also on the cards, along with more efficient in-house electric motors. Range should improve, too, even if the current car already manages up to 390 miles, or 628 kilometers, on a charge.
Mercedes is clearly not done with the EQS. Not even close. Whether a yoke and steer-by-wire can turn the tide remains to be seen, but the company is betting that technology, faster charging, and a sharper identity can finally make its flagship EV feel like a leader instead of a compromise.
Source: carscoops
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