The first electric SUV from Mercedes-Maybach was unveiled at Shanghai.

The uber-luxury arm of Mercedes doesn’t cut corners and the EQS 680 is, as one might expect, packed with the technology and features that make it one of the most luxurious EVs available.

The EQS 680 gets the Maybach treatment in appearance, and underneath that bodywork it is based on the technology of the EQS SUV from Mercedes’ electric vehicle EQ brand. It is tweaked though, and the all-wheel drive Maybach SUV has two motors that deliver 484kW and 950Nm, and a 108.4kWh battery that offers up to 600km of range. It can be charged at up to 22kW with AC power while DC fast charging up to 200kW is available. The sprint to 100km/h comes in at 4.4 seconds and top speed is 210km/h.

Airmatic air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard. To increase the ground clearance, the vehicle level can be raised by up to 35mm. Rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees is also standard.

In addition to the Dynamic Select driving programs ECO, SPORT, OFFROAD and INDIVIDUAL, the EQS 680 has the special Maybach drive programme. It is designed entirely for maximum driving comfort for the rear passengers and the company says it ensures that there are only minimal body movements under the rear seats.

Of course, all this is impressive, but it’s the luxury elements and features of a Maybach that makes it all that little bit extra special.
As well as the exterior treatment – that includes 21 or 22-inch alloy and forged wheels and the brand’s familiar two-tone paintwork – the interior gets all the
luxury trimmings.

Up front is the MBUX Hyperscreen that stretches from pillar-to-pillar across the dash and is set up with Maybach-specific graphics. The rear passengers don’t miss out on display technology, with two 11.6-inch displays in the backrests of the front seats. Standard equipment also includes the MBUX rear tablet, which can also be used outside the vehicle, and the MBUX Interior Assist which, with the help of cameras, can recognise the operating requests of the passengers from body and hand movements and carry out the corresponding functions.

A 15-speaker Burmester 4D surround system with Dolby Atmos delivers on the sound experience.

Top notch materials and craftsmanship – including Nappa leather in various colours, and available wood trim – ensure a luxury environment and like the front seats, the rear seats are equipped with ventilation, massage function and neck and shoulder heating. There is also a calf massage and the Chauffeur Package. Ambient and adaptive rear lighting adds a special touch.

Four fast-charging USB-C ports and two HDMI interfaces also ensure passengers can easily use their own digital devices. On request, the centre console can include two folding tables, a cooling compartment and silver-plated champagne goblets.

The Mercedes-Maybach will reportedly be available in Australia sometime in 2024.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (May 2023) 

17 May 2023