Mercedes-Maybach Goes Electric With A Dressed-Up EQS SUV

This is no ordinary EQS SUV from Mercedes. The brand has been busy pumping out an impressive number of EVs to join its already expansive lineup, and its ultra-luxury subdivision, Maybach, wants in on the action too. Naturally, it took the all-electric equivalent to the S-Class sedan and GLS SUV (which also have Maybach variants of their own) and added the usual splatterings of chrome, among other lavish details. The result is the Mercedes-Maybach EQS680.

Up front, the EQS680 dons a vertically slotted grille in the typical Maybach fashion, alongside the front lightbar also worn by the Benz-branded EQS. The huge Mercedes star emblem has been removed from the grille, now taking the form of a luxurious hood ornament. Other unique details include 22-inch disc wheels, a two-tone paint job, and plenty of chrome. Still not convinced it's a Maybach? Take a look at those front intakes flanking the lower grille, where you'll find a pattern consisting of none other than the Maybach logo.

Despite its admittedly bloated looks, the EQS680 will most likely have reached 60 mph by the time you've finished pronouncing its own name. Unfortunately, Maybach got so carried away describing the eco-friendly values of this EQS, it forgot to mention all the exact powertrain details. We do know that horsepower comes in at 649 hp, far more than the non-Maybach, 536-hp EQS580. Torque has also been improved, raising the number from 633 to 701 lb-ft. We don't know what kind of battery is powering this Maybach, but it's unlikely that it'll offer anything other than the current EQS's 107.8 kWh unit. But as a result of the increased power output, range takes a hurt with 373 miles–just a smidge less than the regular model's 381 miles of estimated range.

We're also missing a lot of details on the drivetrain, but we know that it's a dual motor layout. Maybach instead turned its focus to the comfort that stems from this setup, including a Maybach-exclusive Dynamic Select driving mode that takes the place of the usual Comfort mode. Utilizing an oscillation sensor beneath the rear seats, this mode adjusts the dampers to the benefit of rear occupants.

There's also a serene Maybach mode, which transforms the digital needles on the instrument cluster into pieces of silk. Speaking of screens, there are plenty of them. As expected, the dashboard is dominated by the trio of displays Mercedes calls the Hyperscreen. While it's optional on the regular EQS models, the Maybach marks it as standard with unique graphics to convey the Maybach in this SUV's name. Rear occupants don't miss out on the trendy screens either, as there are two 11.6" displays in back––one for each passenger––that can most notably show the navigation system and its current destination, and allows the ability to add or change the desired destination.

Seating upholstery switches to an eco-friendly vegetable-tanned leather, while the seats themselves feature ventilation, neck and shoulder heating, and of course a massaging function. Opting for the Chauffer package enables the front passenger seat to automatically move forward when the rear seat is fully reclined. There's also a First Class seating package, which emulates the front seats with a center console extended from the front, much like an executive sedan. This extended console is also covered in a shiny wood finish to acconpany the front seatbacks. And as if the cabin weren't hushed enough, any extra road noise that manages to sneak into the EQS680's interior will be smashed by a solid rear bulkhead and fixed rear parcel shelf.

Pricing for the Maybach EQS is unknown as of this writing, but expect it to cost at least twice as much as the standard EQS SUV's $105,650 starting price.

Electric Maybach EQS or gas-powered Maybach GLS?

Images: Mercedes