Top Gear learned from Mercedes-Benz VP Christoph Starzynski that the company will be renaming its “EQ” electric vehicle lineup and getting rid of its controversial droplet shape. The changes will become apparent in a few years.
Those EQ vehicles the company designed from the ground up as standalone models (i.e., the EQE and EQS sedans) feature a highly aerodynamic, but admittedly rather bland exterior design. The droplet shape works well for electric cars needing to maximize their range on a charge, but has little to do with the Mercedes design language. Starzynski admitted in his interview to Top Gear that many customers were disappointed or even offended by this design approach.
Moving forward, the company will try to style its EVs more in line with its petrol car designs. It will not happen overnight, though. The cars already introduced will continue to be sold until the end of their planned market cycle.
Starzynski also confirmed that the letters “EQ” will be ditched from the company’s model nomenclature. At this time, they are mostly used to juxtapose EVs against their petrol counterparts like the C-Class, E-Class, and the others. Once Mercedes becomes an all-electric vehicle brand, it will no longer be necessary to come up with fancy names.
Media learned around a year ago that Mercedes was dissatisfied with its naming scheme. Back then, rumors had claimed that the company would begin renaming its lineups in late 2024. Starzynski did not confirm this date, nor did he provide any others, but he did reveal that the all-electric Mercedes G-Class would not be called “EQG” as originally planned.