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Mercedes-Benz EQE pricing revealed for U.S.
Update 6:05 PM EST: Mercedes-Benz contacted Teslarati to correct pricing for the Pinnacle trim of all 3 EQE configurations. An earlier release from MB listed incorrect pricing.
Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing for the upcoming Alabama-built EQE SUV, the automaker’s second fully-electric sport utility vehicle following the EQS. Starting at $77,900, the EQE is expected to arrive at Mercedes dealers in the Spring.
The EQE lineup will feature three configurations: the EQE 350+ SUV, EQE 350 4MATIC SUV, and EQE 500 4MATIC SUV. All models will be offered in Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle trim levels in the United States, and for the first time, the fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system with torque shift will be offered at the same starting price as the base level EQE 350+ SUV, giving more value for customers in Mercedes’ highest volume model.
Specifications and Features
Mercedes-Benz wanted to keep the sporty yet luxurious feel of its vehicles, and that continues with the EQE SUV, which started production in August 2022. Wheels will vary in size from 19 to 21 inches and are positioned flush with the outer edge of the body, the company said. This is in an effort to improve aerodynamics within its model family.
Aerodynamics didn’t stop there, either. Mercedes-Benz crafted an underbody with numerous aerodynamic details that help complement the drag coefficient to support better range ratings and try to eliminate overall range loss as much as possible.
More range support features were added to the EQE, including the addition of a heat pump, which has become an obvious option for many EV makers after Tesla included one in the Model Y several years ago, and an intelligent powertrain management system.
Tesla highlights Model Y’s heat pump innovations in new promotional video
The heat pump works in parallel to Tesla’s by utilizing heat from the inverter and electric motor and the high-voltage battery system to heat the vehicle interior. Along with that, the intelligent powertrain management system:
“The second innovation is an all-new intelligent powertrain management system that monitors at 160 times per second, if the front electric motor is necessary. If not, a clutch disconnects or re-engages the front motor in 100 milliseconds. The decoupling of the front drive unit reduces drag and improves range.”
Along with improvements internally to support range and aerodynamics, Mercedes-Benz has included a new Automatic Lane Change Feature, making the EQE the first model in the EVA2 family to have this feature with the optional Driver Assistance Package. It is available in the top two trim levels and can automatically initiate lane changes or pass slower vehicles without driver intervention.
The interior features the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.8″ OLED multimedia touchscreen portrait display and a 12.3″ driver display.
While each trim has its own strengths, all three have EQ-specific innovative technologies but will have plenty of leeway with an array of additional options that will allow for further personalization and customization.
The vehicle will be built at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and a battery factory in nearby Bibb County will supply batteries for both the EQE and EQS.
Premium Trim:
- EQE 350+ SUV – $77,900
- EQE 350 4MATIC SUV – $77,900
- EQE 500 4MATIC SUV – $89,500
Highlights for Premium Trim include:
- MBUX EQ Navigation Services, including Navigation with Electric Intelligence
- Parking Package with Surround View System and PARKTRONIC
- Heated Front Seats
- MB-Tex Upholstery
- Power Tilt and Sliding Panorama Roof
- Burmester® Sound System
- Keyless-Go Comfort Package
- 64-Color Ambient Lighting EQE
500 4MATIC Additional Standard Equipment:
- AMG Line Exterior
- 20″ Wheels
- Leather Upholstery
- 10-Degree Rear Axle Steering
Exclusive Trim:
- EQE 350+ SUV – $80,000
- EQE 350 4MATIC SUV – $80,000
- EQE 500 4MATIC SUV – $91,600
Highlights for Exclusive Trim Include:
- All features of Premium Trim
- MBUX Augmented Reality for Navigation
- Active Ambient Light
- Driver Assistance Package including all-new Automatic Lane Change function
Pinnacle Trim:
- EQE 350+ SUV – $83,850
- EQE 350 4MATIC SUV – $83,850
- EQE 500 4MATIC SUV – $95,450
Highlights for Pinnacle Trim Include:
- All features of Premium and Exclusive Trims
- Four-Zone Climate Control
- Air Balance Package
- Energizing Comfort
- Head-Up Display
- 100W USB-C Package
- DIGITAL LIGHT Package
- Mercedes Star Pattern Logo Projectors (Front Doors)
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Tesla Giga Berlin dispute against IG Metall union leads to investigation
As per a report from rbb24, police seized a laptop belonging to an IG Metall member at Tesla Giga Berlin on Tuesday afternoon.
German authorities have opened an investigation into an IG Metall union representative following allegations that a confidential works council meeting at Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin was secretly recorded. The probe follows a criminal complaint filed by Tesla management last week.
As per a report from rbb24, police seized a laptop belonging to an IG Metall member at Tesla Giga Berlin on Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors in Frankfurt (Oder) confirmed that an investigation is underway into a possible unauthorized audio recording of an internal works council meeting.
Under German law, recording a non-public meeting without consent may constitute a criminal offense.
Tesla stated that Gigafactory Berlin employees alerted management after allegedly discovering that an external union representative, who was attending the event as a guest, had recorded the session. Plant manager André Thierig stated in a post on X that the representative was “caught in action,” prompting the company to contact police and file a criminal complaint.
The seized device is now part of the investigation, and authorities will determine whether any unlawful recording had indeed occurred.
IG Metall has denied the accusation. In comments to German media, representatives rejected Tesla’s claim and described the electric vehicle maker’s allegation as an election campaign tactic ahead of upcoming works council elections.
The election at Tesla’s Grünheide plant is scheduled for March 2–4, 2026, with about 11,000 employees being eligible to vote. Regular works council elections in Germany are held every four years between March and May.
The incident comes amid tensions between Tesla and organized labor in Germany. While works councils operate independently from unions, IG Metall has been active at the plant and has previously criticized Tesla’s labor practices. Authorities, for their part, have not yet announced whether charges will be filed, though the investigation remains ongoing.
News
Tesla rolls out xAI’s Grok to vehicles across Europe
The initial rollout includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain.
Tesla is rolling out Grok to vehicles in Europe. The feature will initially launch in nine European territories.
In a post on X, the official Tesla Europe, Middle East & Africa account confirmed that Grok is coming to Teslas in Europe. The initial rollout includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain, and additional markets are expected to be added later.
Grok allows drivers to ask questions using real-time information and interact hands-free while driving. According to Tesla’s support documentation, Grok can also initiate navigation commands, enabling users to search for destinations, discover points of interest, and adjust routes without touching the touchscreen, as per the feature’s official webpage.
The system offers selectable personalities, ranging from “Storyteller” to “Unhinged,” and is activated either through the App Launcher or by pressing and holding the steering wheel’s microphone button.
Grok is currently available only on Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and Cybertruck vehicles equipped with an AMD infotainment processor. Vehicles must be running software version 2025.26 or later, with navigation command support requiring version 2025.44.25 or newer.
Drivers must also have Premium Connectivity or a stable Wi-Fi connection to use the feature. Tesla notes that Grok does not currently replace standard voice commands for vehicle controls such as climate or media adjustments.
The company has stated that Grok interactions are processed securely by xAI and are not linked to individual drivers or vehicles. Users do not need a Grok account or subscription to enable the feature at this time as well.
News
Tesla ends Full Self-Driving purchase option in the U.S.
In January, Musk announced that Tesla would remove the ability to purchase the suite outright for $8,000. This would give the vehicle Full Self-Driving for its entire lifespan, but Tesla intended to move away from it, for several reasons, one being that a tranche in the CEO’s pay package requires 10 million active subscriptions of FSD.
Tesla has officially ended the option to purchase the Full Self-Driving suite outright, a move that was announced for the United States market in January by CEO Elon Musk.
The driver assistance suite is now exclusively available in the U.S. as a subscription, which is currently priced at $99 per month.
Tesla moved away from the outright purchase option in an effort to move more people to the subscription program, but there are concerns over its current price and the potential for it to rise.
In January, Musk announced that Tesla would remove the ability to purchase the suite outright for $8,000. This would give the vehicle Full Self-Driving for its entire lifespan, but Tesla intended to move away from it, for several reasons, one being that a tranche in the CEO’s pay package requires 10 million active subscriptions of FSD.
Although Tesla moved back the deadline in other countries, it has now taken effect in the U.S. on Sunday morning. Tesla updated its website to reflect this:
🚨 Tesla has officially moved the outright purchase option for FSD on its website pic.twitter.com/RZt1oIevB3
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 15, 2026
There are still some concerns regarding its price, as $99 per month is not where many consumers are hoping to see the subscription price stay.
Musk has said that as capabilities improve, the price will go up, but it seems unlikely that 10 million drivers will want to pay an extra $100 every month for the capability, even if it is extremely useful.
Instead, many owners and fans of the company are calling for Tesla to offer a different type of pricing platform. This includes a tiered-system that would let owners pick and choose the features they would want for varying prices, or even a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual pricing option, which would incentivize longer-term purchasing.
Although Musk and other Tesla are aware of FSD’s capabilities and state is is worth much more than its current price, there could be some merit in the idea of offering a price for Supervised FSD and another price for Unsupervised FSD when it becomes available.
Tesla Giga Berlin dispute against IG Metall union leads to investigation
Tesla rolls out xAI’s Grok to vehicles across Europe
