Mercedes Just Removed the Steering Column From the EQS

Mercedes is changing something most cars still keep old-school. The steering. In the updated EQS, there is no physical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels.

Instead, everything is controlled electronically through a steer-by-wire system. When you turn the wheel, sensors read your input and send signals to electric motors that turn the wheels.

That setup lets Mercedes tune the steering more freely. At low speeds, it can feel lighter and require less turning, which makes parking easier. At higher speeds, it adds weight and stability so the car feels more controlled. It also cuts out a lot of vibration coming through the wheel.

Because there is no steering column anymore, Mercedes can use a different shape for the wheel. The EQS gets a yoke-style design instead of a full circle. It looks unusual, but it improves the view of the instrument display and frees up a bit of space when getting in and out.

Mercedes says this system has been tested over more than one million kilometers, both on real roads and in lab conditions, which is important for something this critical.

It will not replace the standard setup completely. Steer-by-wire is optional, and buyers can still choose a traditional steering system if they prefer something more familiar.