Summary
Mercedes-Benz says steer-by-wire is now orderable for the new EQS saloon in all EQS markets. In Germany, the option costs €2,975 including VAT and includes rear-axle steering with up to 10 degrees of steering angle.
Mercedes-Benz says buyers can now order steer-by-wire for the new EQS saloon in all EQS markets. The system replaces the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels with electronic signals. In Germany, the option costs €2,975 including VAT, plus delivery or factory-collection costs. It also includes rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 10 degrees and a flatter steering wheel with a redesigned airbag structure.
How the electronic steering works
In a conventional steering system, turning the wheel moves the front wheels through a mechanical linkage. With steer-by-wire, sensors detect the driver’s steering input and electronic signals carry it to the steering system. Mercedes-Benz says the signals are transmitted quickly and directly, while the system’s steering feel remains precise and intuitive.
The company says the system reduces the steering-wheel movement needed, especially at low speeds. It specifies 170 degrees of steering-wheel rotation from lock to lock—about half a turn—so drivers do not need to reposition their hands during that manoeuvre. Mercedes-Benz says this can make parking and other low-speed manoeuvres easier.
The option’s flatter, more compact wheel is intended to open up space in front of the driver, improve the view of the instrument display and make getting in and out easier. The wheel is available in black and, depending on equipment, beige.
Redundancy and the role of rear-axle steering
Because there is no mechanical steering link, electronic sensing and control are central to the system. Mercedes-Benz says steer-by-wire uses high-precision sensors and control units, with independent signal paths in a redundant architecture. The company states that this design is intended to keep steering capability available.
Mercedes-Benz also describes a fallback for a highly unlikely complete system failure: rear-axle steering and targeted braking at individual wheels through ESP® can still support the vehicle’s lateral guidance. The announcement gives this as a supporting function rather than describing it as a return to conventional front-wheel steering.
The company says combining steer-by-wire with rear-axle steering can improve manoeuvrability, driving stability and agility, and can prevent unwanted vibrations from road bumps from reaching the driver through the steering wheel. These are Mercedes-Benz’s stated benefits of the system; the announcement provides no numerical comparison of handling or parking performance.
The German price is €2,500 before VAT or €2,975 including VAT. Both prices exclude delivery or factory-collection costs. Mercedes-Benz says the option can be ordered in all EQS markets, while the stated prices apply to Germany.