Steer-by-wire technology that deletes the physical connection between the steering wheel and the tyres – as used in Tesla and Lexus vehicles – is coming to Mercedes-Benz’s new luxury limousine.
Mercedes-Benz will become the first German car manufacturer to offer a production vehicle with steer-by-wire technology, when it is introduced with the updated EQS electric sedan due to be revealed within days.
Steer-by-wire replaces the traditional mechanical steering column with a digital signal path between the steering wheel and the front axle.
It allows for a variable steering ratio that adjusts based on driving speed and conditions, reducing the physical effort required for maneuvering and parking.
The new EQS, which is set to premiere globally on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, will launch the digital steering system across all variants of the model, with Mercedes-Benz to retain conventional electromechanical steering as an alternative.
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Steer-by-wire technology – offered in the Lexus RZ and Tesla Cybertruck, among other cars – eliminates mechanical vibrations from uneven road surfaces while maintaining a simulated steering feel based on calculated tyre and road contact.
This digital architecture enables a more compact steering wheel design, called a ‘yoke’, with a variable ratio that reaches 4:1 at low speeds, compared to 14:1 in the standard model.
This allows for full directional control and U-turns without the driver needing to adjust their grip or perform hand-over-hand manoeuvres.
Removing the steering column also has the potential to provide significant packaging advantages for the vehicle, creating additional space in the front of the car for other components or, in an electric car without an engine, storage.
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“The packaging advantage is huge,” noted a development lead during a preview of the EQS and steer-by-wire tech attended by Drive in March.
“Getting rid of a steering column means you have more space for whatever you have there on the front, regardless of whether it’s a frunk, a battery, or a combustion engine.”
To maintain safety standards with the new steering wheel shape, Mercedes-Benz developed a specialised airbag architecture that uses internal supports to control the deployment shape without relying on a traditional wheel’s rim.
The system is built with redundancies, with two fallback levels and separate signal paths to ensure steering capability always remains functional, even if there is an electrical fault with the vehicle.
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In the event of a significant system failure, the vehicle maintains lateral control through a combination of the 10-degree rear-axle steering and wheel-specific braking interventions via the electronic stability program.
Mercedes-Benz claims the technology has undergone over one million kilometres of testing on tracks and public roads to ensure it meets existing safety requirements for heavy luxury vehicles.
The full story, plus video of Drive testing of the system, will be available following the EQS sedan’s world debut on 14 April.
The post Mercedes-Benz to debut steer-by-wire tech in updated EQS appeared first on Drive.
