Mercedes-Maybach’s First BEV SUV Debuts in China

Hyper luxury brand Mercedes-Maybach chose the Auto Shanghai motor show to unveil its first BEV, a full-size SUV claiming sportscar performance albeit with a sub-400 mile range.

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680’s 400-volt powertrain system also claims 650bhp of power and 700ft-lbs of torque, enough to launch the mammoth’s as yet undisclosed curb weight to 62mph from standstill in 4.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 130mph. It also claims a provisional combined power consumption of 24.4-22.5 kWh/100 km.

The car employs the automaker’s air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ as standard. To increase the ground clearance, the vehicle level can be raised by up to 1.4ins. Rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees is also standard. Alternatively, the rear wheels can be turned up to 10 degrees. This enables a turning circle of 36ft, matching that of many compact models.

Of course, the car’s big story is the claim that it scales new heights of opulence for the world’s billionaire oligarch customers it seeks to attract. Cabin features include, for the front passengers, the standard MBUX Hyperscreen with “zero layer” and Mercedes-Maybach specific start-up animations on all three displays. The numerous exclusive features include the animated display of the instrument cluster in “Maybach” mode. The pointers in the two tubes are designed like a silk scarf that moves as if in the wind according to the speed

and driving style. At the same time, the digits change their size and are dynamically faded in or out.

The surrounds for the round instruments are in rose gold, a tradition of the brand. An alternative display form to the tubes is the sporty “Pure EV” style. A three-dimensional performance bar conveys the respective driving status (driving, accelerating, charging).

The central display, in this basic setting is dominated by the navigation. The ‘staff’ driver can carry out 80% of the most common interactions directly without changing the application. The system reacts to different situations and is personalized with behavior-learned suggestions and forward-looking offers.

The rear passengers experience the same extensive range of infotainment and comfort features with two 11.6-inch displays on the backrests of the front seats. Content can be shared quickly and easily on the various displays. It is also possible to select and modify the navigation destinations from the rear seats. The standard equipment also includes the MBUX rear tablet, which can also be used outside the vehicle, and the MBUX Interior Assist. With the help of cameras, it can recognize the operating requests of the passengers from body and hand movements and carry out the corresponding functions, for example switching on the reading lights.

The vehicle comes standard with Maybach Nappa leather in the warm colors espresso brown/balao brown pearl. Macchiato beige/bronze brown pearl is optionally available. For an even more sophisticated look, Maybach Manufaktur Nappa leather is available as an option in crystal white/silver grey pearl. The leather in all interior colors comes from sustainable processing. Natural woods are available as decorative parts: brown open-pore birch wood and brown open-pore walnut wood, as well as piano lacquer black flowing lines.

Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of management Mercedes-Benz, said: “Mercedes-Maybach customers expect the extraordinary, and we aim to exceed their high expectations. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV unites our ambition to lead in digital and electric with our focus on the luxury segment. The very first all-electric vehicle from Mercedes-Maybach complements the best technologies from Mercedes-Benz with the extra comfort and individual details that are only available from Mercedes-Maybach.” Prices have yet to be published.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_