Autocar India and Mercedes-Benz India drive from 47.5°C in Rajasthan to -3.7°C at Khardung La, recording a 51.2°C swing, the greatest temperature change ever achieved by an electric production car.
In a feat of engineering, endurance, and electrification, Autocar India and Mercedes-Benz India have jointly secured a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Greatest Temperature Change Achieved by an Electric Production Car. This is the second GUINNESS title earned in collaboration with the EQS SUV platform, underscoring the vehicle’s consistent performance and innovation lineage. for the Greatest Temperature Change Achieved by an Electric Production Car. The award was earned by the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV during a record-setting journey from the blazing desert heat of Ranao near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan to the icy summit of Khardung La in Ladakh.
This temperature transition of 51.2°C, from 47.5°C in Jaisalmer to -3.7°C in Khardung La, tested both the vehicle and the crew, showcasing the capabilities of EV technology in India’s most extreme climates. The EQS 450 4MATIC SUV’s success in this expedition reaffirms the vehicle’s suitability for India’s varied terrain and weather conditions.
The EQS 450 4MATIC SUV, manufactured at Mercedes-Benz India’s advanced Chakan plant in Pune, features a 122kWh battery pack offering over 600km of range. This localisation reinforces Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to EV manufacturing in India while maintaining global
engineering benchmarks., 360hp of power, and 800Nm of torque. Its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system provided consistent traction from desert roads to icy Himalayan passes. Packed with premium features like the MBUX Hyperscreen, 15-speaker Burmester sound system, and Level 2 ADAS safety, the SUV handled temperature swings and terrain shifts seamlessly.
Autocar India’s Editor, Hormazd Sorabjee, called the drive a symbolic and scientific journey, remarking, “Climate change is real. This GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title across such climatic extremes underscores the urgency of sustainable transport. The EQS 450’s performance proves that EVs are not just urban tech but also rugged and reliable for India’s diverse environment.”
Rahul Kakar of Autocar India, who drove the EQS during this extreme test, noted the challenges of navigating unpredictable weather and altitude changes. “Despite the extremes, I never had range anxiety,” he said. “This SUV redefines comfort in every climate.”
Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, celebrated the brand’s second GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title, the previous being awarded for a high-efficiency EV drive, further validating the EQS platform’s exceptional capability and versatility across performance metrics. “The EQS 450 SUV represents confidence in battery-electric mobility for Indian conditions. Its unmatched comfort, range, and resilience redefine the luxury EV narrative. We thank every BEV adopter for joining this sustainable shift.”
This expedition not only sets a global benchmark but also spotlights India’s capacity to lead in EV resilience testing. The achievement celebrates the synergy of innovation, climate advocacy, and German engineering, all in a luxury SUV manufactured on Indian soil.
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