Mercedes-Maybach unveils all-electric luxury SUV concept

Automakers are bringing many new electric vehicles at the Auto China 2018 in Beijing this week and Mercedes-Benz contributed by unveiling a luxurious new Mercedes-Maybach all-electric SUV concept: “The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury.”

The German automaker says that the vehicle is equipped with an all-electric powertrain made of four compact permanent-magnet synchronous motors.

It delivers an all-wheel-drive system capable of a 550 kW (750 hp) output and a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h.

An 80 kWh battery pack is located under the floor and can enable a “NEDC range of over 500 kilometres (according to EPA: over 200 miles).”

But as a Mercedes-Maybach vehicle, it’s not as much about the performance as it is about the luxury.

Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG, describes the vehicle:

“The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is a totally new archetype of a kind never seen before. Our concept combines the DNA of an SUV with that of a saloon to produce an ultra-modern SUV of three-box design,” says Wagener. “With sensuality and pure sophistication, we have created a timeless vehicle that underscores the position of Mercedes-Maybach as the ultimate luxury brand.”

“Ultimate luxury” does come to mind when looking at the interior of the SUV:

As you can see, the concept is intended primarily “for chauffeur-driven use” as its design is strongly focused on the rear passengers and their well-being.

It even includes a tea service integrated into a sculpted wooden tray made of ebony.

The seats are based on the ones developed for the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class with their adjustment kinematics:

“Unlike in a conventional saloon, the backrest is adjusted separately while the footwell and seat reference point remain unchanged. The cushion can be adjusted separately, while the seat angle and height adjustment are combined. Extra-soft knee cushions afford protection and comfort. The reclining seats feature a calf support, which is freely adjustable for length and angle. The crystal white nappa leather seats are enhanced by diamond stitching in rosé gold.”

As for the exterior design, Mercedes-Maybach presents it as a crossover with the shape of a saloon car and the height of an SUV:

Daimler has yet to release an all-electric Mercedes-Maybach and it didn’t announce plans to bring this vehicle to market, but all its recent Mercedes-Maybach concept vehicles have been electric.

At the Monterey Car Week last year, they unveiled a fun new cabriolet all-electric concept and a year before that, they unveiled an impressive all-electric luxury coupé concept.

Every time, they released similar powertrain specs with ~200 miles of range and a 350 kW charging capacity.