[EQEBlue]

Does anyone have visibility on what is Hands-free access feature on the EQE sedan?
This seems to be excluded in the US version and I'd like to know if this is gonna mean we need to use the key fob for lock and unlock, no proximity lock/unlock.

Also, EQE owners do you have Apple CarKey access for proximity lock/unlock or any functions? How about Apple CarPlay? Do you get directions on the instrument cluster or HUD?

Appreciate your input

 

[EQEBlue]

Update: After digging around for far too long, Option 871 or Hands-free access isn't available in the US market.

The 'kick' to open/close the trunk is not available and in lieu, we are likely to be given a credit of $100.
Which is quite bad. I'd rather have the option to have it installed later.

 

[EQEBlue]

Update 2: Also Wireless CarPlay seems to be available pixel peeking at OutOfSpec video. No word on Apple CarKey support either with UWB or otherwise

MB USA please give us Apple CarKey support!

 

[Dar]

Regards proximity unlock, even Mercedes EQB in USA has "Keyless Go" available, so EQE should have it as option if not standard.

Also, as well as Keyless Go that includes unlock without touching key, Mercedes EQE can come with it's own phone-as-a-key function says Techradar, as well as wireless Carplay.

https://www.techradar.com/news/mercedes-eqe-first-drive

I think Apple Carkey is only compatible with selected BMW and Hyundai Group cars.

An owner will know more about the instrument HUD directions though I do know some previous MBUX cars did display next Carplay navigation turn on the HUD. The instrument cluster display is likely next gen, though maybe an owner can confirm either way:

The next generation Apple CarPlay is coming after all your car's displays

Apple has previewed the next generation CarPlay, set to feature closer integration between car and phone, alongside customisable vehicle information displays.

www.sgcarmart.com

 

[EQEBlue]

as well as Keyless Go that includes unlock without touching key, Mercedes EQE can come with it's own phone-as-a-key function says Techradar, as well as wireless Carplay.

https://www.techradar.com/news/mercedes-eqe-first-drive

I think Apple Carkey is only compatible with selected BMW and Hyundai Group cars.

An owner will know more about the instrument HUD directions though I do know some previous MBUX cars did display next Carplay navigation turn on the HUD. The instrument cluster display is likely next gen, though maybe an owner can confirm either way:

The next generation Apple CarPlay is coming after all your car's displays

Apple has previewed the next generation CarPlay, set to feature closer integration between car and phone, alongside customisable vehicle information displays.

www.sgcarmart.com

That is good news that MBUX had offered HUD second screen actress for phone projections, Im debating between the EQE, i4 and GV60.

the BMW dealers near me are awful so it's gonna have to be the other two.

having a phone as a key option would be really cool to have specially given that EQ vehicles support Spatial audio with Apple Music getting more features would be really nice.

 

[Dar]

Of those 2, if I had a choice, my own preference would be the Mercedes even just for the Spatial audio alone.

Apple Music and Mercedes-Benz bring immersive Spatial Audio to drivers worldwide

Apple Music’s highly acclaimed Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos is now available as a native experience in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

www.apple.com

As part of Hyundai Group, the Genesis GV60 has it's own unique features such as Carkey but also not even needing the phone:

Driving Without a Car Key or Smartphone: Genesis GV60

The Genesis GV60 offers a unique electric vehicle experience with advanced technology. | GENESIS story

www.hyundaimotorgroup.com

 

[EQEBlue]

Of those 2, if I had a choice, my own preference would be the Mercedes even just for the Spatial audio alone.

Apple Music and Mercedes-Benz bring immersive Spatial Audio to drivers worldwide

Apple Music’s highly acclaimed Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos is now available as a native experience in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

www.apple.com

As part of Hyundai Group, the Genesis GV60 has it's own unique features such as Carkey but also not even needing the phone:

Driving Without a Car Key or Smartphone: Genesis GV60

The Genesis GV60 offers a unique electric vehicle experience with advanced technology. | GENESIS story

www.hyundaimotorgroup.com

Yea given that likely the spatial audio is gonna be MBUX exclusive since CarPlay is unlikely to have (but could surprise me) bandwidth for high bit rate audio

Yes! I saw the EQE also has a fingerprint reader it made sense to be that some sort of phone unlock would complete the set of being fob free, especially since my partner is gonna be the one to drive the EQE most.

 

[Dar]

I understand Spatial Audio, for now at least, has a special hardware requirement not found in other car sound systems.

Fingerprint reader is currently just one way of a few different ways for choosing user profile I understand...

Which is why I agree that Mercedes should consider adding Carkey support because regarding the smartphone-as-fob that Techradar mentions, I may be wrong but I think GV60 is more designed for that smartphone-as-fob compared the EQE is more designed for use with fob - Mercedes calls it Smartkey because it is smarter than old fobs.

I think you do get two Smartkeys as standard.

You can still unlock the EQE from the smartphone app and startup the climate control but to start the motor there would need be a Smartkey present as far as I know, though you can deactivate the car's recognition of the Smartkey, leave it in glovebox and then activate the car's recognition of it again through the smartphone - even remotely from a foreign country such as to allow a friend drive the car.

Smartkey also can still be made to work even if it's battery goes dead. It is also fast and remarkably reliable in my experience. It is sort of like UWB such as it knows which side of the car you are on so you can programme the car not to open passenger side when car unlocks, unless person with Smartkey is on passenger side. It knows that Smartkey is inside the vehicle so boot won't open in my experience if while in driver's seat, someone else moved foot under car's boot for completely handsfree boot access

 

[EQEBlue]

I understand Spatial Audio, for now at least, has a special hardware requirement not found in other car sound systems.

Fingerprint reader is currently just one way of a few different ways for choosing user profile I understand...

Which is why I agree that Mercedes should consider adding Carkey support because regarding the smartphone-as-fob that Techradar mentions, I may be wrong but I think GV60 is more designed for that smartphone-as-fob compared the EQE is more designed for use with fob - …
You can still unlock the EQE from the smartphone app and startup the climate control but to start the motor there would need be a Smartkey present as far as I know, though you can deactivate the car's recognition of the Smartkey, leave it in glovebox and then activate the car's recognition of it again through the smartphone…It is sort of like UWB such as it knows which side of the car you are on so you can programme the car not to open passenger side when car unlocks, unless person with Smartkey is on passenger side. It knows that Smartkey..

yea looks like MB put in some new audio codecs and built support for Apple Music into MBUX, it’s really neat they have fingerprint based user setting! Phone as key could finish the equation.

Yea GV60 seems to be the only vehicle that support UWB Apple CarKey i4 and other just have regular Apple CarKey.

looks like EQE happen to have a NFC module on the wireless chargers getting UWB Apple CarKey support would make the whole key transfer thing a lot more smoother given MB already has Wireless CarPlay which GV60 can’t least for the foreseeable future get.

it almost feels like apple car project got torn up by BMW, MB, Hyundai and Ford having all in one would be awesome!

 

[Dar]

Yes, it will be neat when it happens. This page suggests more than GV60 support UWB. Samsung and Google seem to be using quite similar software too so there is cross-platform function.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_digital_keys_in_mobile_wallets

 

[A2day]

Regards proximity unlock, even Mercedes EQB in USA has "Keyless Go" available, so EQE should have it as option if not standard.

Also, as well as Keyless Go that includes unlock without touching key, Mercedes EQE can come with it's own phone-as-a-key function says Techradar, as well as wireless Carplay.

https://www.techradar.com/news/mercedes-eqe-first-drive

I think Apple Carkey is only compatible with selected BMW and Hyundai Group cars.

An owner will know more about the instrument HUD directions though I do know some previous MBUX cars did display next Carplay navigation turn on the HUD. The instrument cluster display is likely next gen, though maybe an owner can confirm either way:

The next generation Apple CarPlay is coming after all your car's displays

Apple has previewed the next generation CarPlay, set to feature closer integration between car and phone, alongside customisable vehicle information displays.

www.sgcarmart.com

I can speak for the Carplay only, as my EQE doesn't come with keyless entry.
Apple Maps will display directional instructions on the driver's screen. Waze and Google maps do not.

Wireless Carplay is a hit and miss experience. 40-50% of the time it will not connect immediately or not connect at all during the journey.
I haven't tried the wired carplay yet.