The teaser campaign for the new Mercedes S-Class is starting to gain traction ahead of the luxury sedan's world debut this September. In the meantime, the development of the electric Mercedes EQS, which is essentially the electric equivalent of the S-Class, has advanced to a new stage.

Spied cruising the streets being benchmarked against a Tesla Model 3 and Model S by our spy photographers, the Mercedes EQS has dropped more camouflage as prototype testing continues. The plastic padding has now been removed, giving us a clearer look at the electric sedan's sleek shape. Judging from this latest prototype, the production EQS won't be as curvaceous as the futuristic Mercedes Vision EQS concept that debuted in Geneva last year. One of the biggest changes will be the body style.

Whereas the concept was a four-door electric sedan, the production model will be a five-door hatchback, which will make it easier to load cargo. Like the concept, we can see the production EQS will also have stylish frameless doors.

For the first time, the Mercedes EQS prototype has also been fitted with production headlights and taillights. The rear lights also appear to be connected by a LED strip. The concept featured 188 individual LEDs at the front and 229 star-shaped lights adorning the rear, but we will have to wait until the camouflage comes off to see if they carry over to the production model.

Underpinning the Mercedes EQS will be the latest version of the manufacturer's Modular Electric Architecture. Power is expected to be sourced from two electric motors, with one on the front axle and one at the back providing an all-wheel-drive setup .

In the Vision EQS, this setup produces 469 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque combined, enabling the electric sedan to sprint from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds. It's still unclear when the production Mercedes EQS will be unveiled, but we're hoping Mercedes will lift the wraps off its new Tesla Model S fighter later this year after the new S-Class debuts in September.