Maybach EQS will be the first electric luxury SUV | GRR
Mercedes has stolen a lead over Bentley and Rolls-Royce by previewing the first all-electric luxury-class SUV. Dwarfing the far sleeker Mercedes EQS electric limo with which it shares its modular electric platform, the new luxury giant arrives first as a Mercedes-Benz in 2022, and then a year later in the form you see here: as chromed-up Maybach flagship.
The Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS, unveiled this week in Munich, previews the new SUV body style, set to the brand's top SUV model around the world and shown here in near production-ready form. It is expected to do best in markets like China, Russia, South Korea and the US.
It's a high-riding five-door set on a huge wheelbase – witness the length of the body from the B-pillars back. It is imposing head-on but with its distinctive rounded window frames, rising waistline and smooth rear end has more of a fastback style than rivals like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga. The exceptionally slim lights back and front add an elegant touch.
In the guise of Merc's top brand, it is embellished with Maybach's signature styling cues – that huge "black panel" grille, black and red two-tone body, 24-inch "bowl" wheels, inlaid badgework, pinstriping and masses of chrome plating. Elements including the air intakes, rear diffuser, window surrounds, B-pillars and roof spoiler all get the shiny chrome treatment. Expect the earlier-arriving Merc EQS SUV, still under wraps, to be subtler.
Maybachs are not just about arriving in, they are about riding in – in the back especially. Here the EQS SUV promises to excel, in either of the executive or chauffeur formats that will be available for it. With a flat floor and on a wheelbase this long, there should certainly be plenty of room in the rear compartment for all those essential businessperson's luxury accoutrements.
Tough day in the boardroom? Walk up to the car (the door will open automatically) and relax in one of two reclining seats in the back with extended calf rests, so they do a passable impression of a lie-flat bed. Work or play thanks to the high-end infotainment, tables, fridge and of course champagne storage.
There's a vase for fresh flowers (not included) and a new design of door panels which is likened by Mercedes to a sideboard (but it is not like any sideboard we know). Another talking point is the "floating" centre console. The rear is all finished off with faux fur and rose gold-coloured accents.
Up front it's the mega-screen dash layout of the EQS and all the functions, features and fripperies you expect of Mercedes' top model. It should go like a true flagship too. There's no confirmation so far but it's likely the Maybach EQS SUV will share drivetrains with the first AMG version of the electric S-Class, the AMG EQS 53, also announced at the Munich Motor Show this week.
The standard version of this gets a twin motor set-up with 658PS (484 kW) backed by maximum torque of 950 Nm. In the AMG this translates as 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds – even in the larger and heavier Maybach, it should be enough. Maybach says it is targeting a range of 370 miles.