Mercedes-Maybach EQS. Beautiful, large and eco-friendly
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS is the first electric vehicle from Mercedes' luxury sub-brand Maybach. It is currently a concept vehicle. Unlike the Mercedes EQS and Mercedes-AMG EQS flagship models, this vehicle is not a liftback, but a large SUV. It shares the MEA (Modular Electric Architecture) platform and other equipment with the liftbacks. And here we need to stop so as not to get confused. Because the Mercedes-Benz brand will also soon start producing its EQS SUV (in 2022), whereas the luxurious Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV will see the light later. Both electric SUVs will have a driving range of about 600 km.
The prototype of the new luxury electric SUV, the Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS, debuted at the 2021 IAA Mobility Auto Show in Munich. Strictly speaking, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS is not the first fully electric Maybach production vehicle, as the manufacturer experimented before in this area. Thus, the electric sedan caused a sensation, but it never became a production car. But the EQS SUV is the first pre-production model. Following the best traditions of the brand, this vehicle is huge, sparkles like a fresh tomato sprinkled with dew (and also red) and evokes conflicting thoughts about how good it is to be rich and successful.
We wonder who needs a battery powered Maybach? But the company assures that the world is waiting for this vehicle. The manufacturer notes that customers in the Maybach major markets (China, Russia, South Korea, USA, Germany) are getting younger, their perception of luxury is changing, the requirements for digital solutions are becoming higher, but Mercedes-Maybach is ready to fully satisfy them.
Exterior
The front end of the new Mercedes-Maybach EQS looks like both a space shuttle and a smiling whale or some other, more exotic, marine animal. It has a wide open ‘mouth’, huge air intakes, and narrow LED headlights. The striped panel replacing the grille ‘smoothly flows’ into the LED headlights, hood and rooftop in the same Obsidian Black. The underbody is finished in Zircon Red metallic, with chrome accents providing a third shade. Bowl-shaped alloy wheels are 24-inch. The lights are animated. The side steps are decorated with inlays at the customer’s preference. When the approaching the vehicle, the driver’s door swings open by itself, and the others extend the handles, but they can also be opened remotely. The roof spoiler is considered sporty and aerodynamic.
The electric ultra-luxury SUV has a strong and even sporty side-view, demonstrating true elegance and sophistication. Its rear end is laconic, unpretentious and minimalist. The front and rear are very harmonious and balanced, which makes the SUV not bulky, but, on the contrary, light and athletic. In general, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS looks cool, but not overly futuristic, as a model that is preparing to enter the market in 2022 should look like. Or in 2023, the future is unpredictable, some next Omicron or Epsilon will again force everything to be rescheduled.
Interior
The interior of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS is extremely luxurious and minimalist. It is unpretentious and very expensive. They say that the interior was inspired by the furnishings of luxury yachts. But the general view and dashboard generates confused thoughts about the need to immediately join Star Wars and shoot meteors with lasers!
Since the electric premium SUV is still a pre-production model, we can assume that the production version will have approximately the same space interior. Therefore, now the electric vehicle is packed with advanced electronics and all the options that can be expected from a top-class vehicle. The seats are designed to resemble the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Sedan. The ‘floating’ center console includes a flower vase, folding tables, a set of champagne glasses or a refrigerator. The MBUX interface has assembled three displays into a single Hyperscreen. The floor is covered with faux fur.
Powertrain
The SUV is based on the MEA (Modular Electric Architecture) modular platform, created specifically for Mercedes electric vehicles. For now, only the estimated driving range has been announced: about 600 km. The entry-level electric vehicle already has a configured powertrain comprising an electric motor mounted on the rear axle, which produces 329 hp. It is assumed that the new Mercedes-Maybach EQS will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. The manufacturer also intends to introduce a much more powerful all-wheel drive model, which will reach 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds.
Each EQS is equipped with adaptive air suspension and 24-inch rims. Moreover, the luxury electric SUV has a specific rear-axle steering system that can steer the rear wheels up to 10 degrees. This will make it easier to maneuver the over 5m model in tight spots and improve stability at high speeds.
