Mercedes-Maybach Modifies EQS SUV For First Ultra Luxury EV

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV was unveiled to a live audience at Auto Shanghai Monday as the ultra luxury sub-brand’s first EV featuring exclusive comfort features and a Maybach-centric design with an emphasis on chrome.

Based on Stuttgart’s EQS SUV, this isn’t as much a driver’s car as a passenger’s limo. But an even higher capability from the EQS SUV is found here with an estimated 370-plus mile range on an all-wheel drive dual motor powertrain. The nearly 400 volt system offers 649 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque, taking it to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. 

As an all-electric vehicle it requires a plug. With fast charging it can get to 80% in about 31 minutes. Level 2 charging at home takes under 13 hours for an overnight full charge. While brands like Lucid, Tesla and BMW ramp up luxury EV options, Maybach is part of a burgeoning electromobility trend in the ultra luxury market alongside Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini.

Exterior Glamour

The ultra-luxe electric crossover features a typical Maybach front end with a black pinstripe panel and slats with a smoothed-over look. The Maybach pattern is found throughout the exterior and there’s optional two-tone paint, applied by hand. The color combos include Cirrus Silver and Obsidian Black, Cirrus Silver and Nautical Blue, Obsidian Black and Selenite Grey, Obsidian Black and MANUFAKTUR Kalahari Gold and Sonoran Brown and Onyx Black.

The rear lights feature a continuous light strip and, of course, more chrome trim. Maybach is spelled out. 

Interior Comfort

As opulent as the exterior, the interior emphasizes passenger comfort down to the slightest rattle and errant decibel. It also incorporates light, smell and touch for a full ride experience.

Up front features the MBUX Hyperscreen, the massive 56-inch touchscreen that comes standard in the Mercedes-AMG EQS sedan. For the Maybach there’s a special deep blue screen with rose goal borders and a Maybach mode (there’s also understated and sport). The central display offers the new Mercedes-Benz operating system (MB.OS). 

The back seat passengers also have infotainment screens with two 11.6-inch displays on the back of the front seats. There’s four USB-C ports, two HDMI interfaces and there’s the option to have the center console convert into a folding table with a fridge and silver-plated champagne flutes. 

Materials throughout the interior feature Nappa leather in exclusive colors. A Crystal White and Silver Gray Pearl combination is also available. The leather is sustainably processed with vegetable-tanned leather using coffee bean shells and recycled water and plant-based fatliquoring agents without preserving the material in salt. 

There’s also natural woods used for decoration and the Maybach logo is on the pedal, headrest cushion, in the cargo area and illuminated all over. 

Lightning is all adjustable and customizable with ambient lighting with 253 LEDs and 64 colors. Maybach-specific colors include Rose Gold White and Amethyst Glow. 

Don’t forget about smell: the Maybach has a HEPA filter that circulates and measures outside air quality. An active scent is infused with custom-made fragrance No. 12 MOOD Ebony. Sniff for notes of sandalwood and spices.

A 15-speaker sound system from Burmester elevates the listening experience, as do the seats for “4D sound.” There’s even a unique electric driving sound called “Aerial Grace” that matches driving experiences in real-time. 

Cocoon Comfort

If the EQS sedan and EQS SUV felt like protected dreamscapes, the Maybach is next level. The rear seats have special rubber mounts, acoustic foams and special construction underneath and in the wheel arches to keep noise and vibrations out. The suspension can be raised 1.4 inches. 

The hatchback cargo space (with 15.3 cubic-feet of storage available) has a cover that essentially converts the space into a sedan trunk and keeps out rear noise. Even the electric motor can be decoupled. Then there’s the laminated glass to deflect wind, especially on the panoramic roof. 

The Maybach EQS SUV takes the concept of a silent electric ride to the extreme.