Mercedes has just done something most manufacturers wouldn’t dare touch… they’ve completely re-engineered how steering works.
This is the new Steer-by-Wire system, debuting on the upcoming EQS facelift — and it’s not just a new steering wheel. It’s a complete rethink of the entire steering architecture called: #steerbywire !
Tesla just made Yoke on a normal system, making things worse for the customer — and Steer-by-wire was attempted over a decade ago, but early systems felt artificial, inconsistent, and never fully convinced drivers.
#Mercedes are bringing it back with a completely re-engineered approach. Because they don’t do worse, or less safe. In this video, we break down exactly how it works, what’s changed under the skin, and why this could be one of the biggest shifts in driving technology in decades. From removing the physical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels, to introducing fully electronic control, adaptive steering ratios, and redundant safety systems — this is far more than just a gimmick. And most importantly… is it actually better to drive?
We’ll cover:
How traditional steering systems work vs steer-by-wire
The new hardware: sensors, control units, and steering actuators
Why removing the steering column changes things so much
Rear-wheel steering integration and manoeuvrability gains
Safety systems, redundancy, and emergency fallback behaviour
Driving impressions: comfort, responsiveness, and steering feel
Whether this is genuinely the future of steering
This system replaces the traditional mechanical link between driver and wheels with a fully electronic setup — where your inputs are converted into signals, interpreted by control units, and executed by electric actuators.
It allows for completely new possibilities:
Variable steering ratios depending on speed
Reduced steering effort at low speeds
Improved stability at high speeds,
And the ability to filter out unwanted road vibrations entirely
But with no physical connection… how does it stay safe? #MercedesBenz has engineered a fully redundant system with dual signal paths, independent power supplies, and multiple control units — backed by over 1 million kilometres of testing across road, track, and simulation environments.
Even in the event of a failure, the car can maintain lateral control using rear-axle steering and targeted braking interventions.
This isn’t just an evolution — it’s a fundamental shift. Similar to how aviation moved from mechanical controls to fly-by-wire systems.
The question is… will drivers accept it?
Let me know what you think — would you trust a car with no physical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels? And would you like to see it in your next AMG car?
