First-ever Mercedes-Maybach EV: 5 Cool Facts About Maybach EQS 680 Luxury e-SUV

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 electric SUV has made its global premiere at Auto Shanghai 2023 in China, becoming the first fully electric vehicle to wear the “Maybach” badge. The ultra-luxurious EV is based on the EQS SUV sold overseas, but offers a more exquisite rear-seat experience synonymous with Mercedes-Maybach. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bespoke Maybach Exterior Features 

On the outside, the Maybach EQS 680 features a beautiful two-tone paintwork with a filigree pinstripe. At the front, it has a black panel “grille” (found on all Mercedes EQ models) with vertical chrome trim elements, similar to what we see in Maybach’s ICE cars in terms of design. These vertical chrome stripes run all the way down to the actual grille on the lower bumper. The side air dams are adorned with multiple tiny Maybach logos, similar to the EQS 680 SUV’s ICE counterpart, the facelifted Maybach GLS 600 SUV. 

In profile, the Maybach EV has the EQS SUV’s silhouette, but gets chrome window surrounds, gloss black wheel arch cladding and enormous wheels in seven-spoke and five-spoke designs. 

At the rear, the EQS SUV styling is a lot more apparent and the EV has connected LED taillights and a shiny chrome trim piece at the base of the rear bumper. Overall, the Maybach EQS 680 e-SUV looks futuristic and clean, and will surely be a sight to behold once it hits the roads. 

Ultra-luxurious interior

The secret sauce of the Maybach EV is its interior. It gets a similar design and layout as the standard SUV, but the materials used and colour scheme make the Maybach SUV more luxurious. The MBUX Hyperscreen has a deep blue theme and there are multiple rose-gold trim and Maybach-specific ambient lighting as well. 

The seats are upholstered in man-made Nappa leather and natural wood trim is present throughout the cabin. The Maybach logo isn’t just on the seats and trim pieces, it’s also projected on the floor below the seats for the viewing pleasure of the rear occupants.

Features and equipment 

The equipment list of the most exquisite Mercedes EV is extensive, including highlights such as a Maybach MBUX Hyperscreen, Burmester 4D sound system, two 11.6-inch rear-facing touchscreens and ventilated, massaging rear seats with neck and shoulder heating and calf massaging. With the Chauffeur Package, the EQS SUV’s front seat can be moved at the touch of a button to open up even more rear space.

The rear seat is for two people only; the centre console flows from the front all the way to the back with matching wood trim at the rear. Optionally, the Maybach EQS SUV can be equipped with a drinks cooler, folding rear tables and silver-plated champagne goblets as well. 

All-electric Drivetrain Specs 

Similar to the standard (non-Maybach) EQS 580 SUV, the EQS 680 SUV is powered by a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system that makes 658PS and 950Nm, good for nought to 100kmph in 4.4 seconds. The Maybach EV is estimated to deliver a driving range of up to 600km. The EV will be able to juice up at a peak charging rate of 200kW, charging from 10-80 per cent in 31 minutes. 

Launch timeline and rivals 

Mercedes hasn’t revealed its e-SUV’s launch timeline, but we can expect sales to begin in Europe sometime later in 2023. An India launch should be on the cards as well, but we only expect the EQS 680 EV to make it to our shores sometime in 2024. 

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The EQS 680 will sit alongside the ICE S-Class sedans and GLS 600 SUV in the carmaker’s Maybach lineup. It’ll be a rival for ICE luxury SUVs such as the Bentley Bentayga and upcoming ultra-luxury EVs such as the Rolls-Royce Spectre EV.