The EQS680 is the world’s first ultra-luxury electric SUV and is powered by AMG.
The world was missing an ultra-luxury electric SUV segment, so Mercedes had to create the Maybach EQS680 SUV to kickstart the rivalry. Like other Mercedes-Maybach, it’s based on the current Benz model; in this case, it’s the flagship EQS580 SUV. And as usual, the Maybach-ed version comes with tons of luxury features.
Indeed, to differentiate the Maybach from a regular Mercedes, the EQS680 gets a revamped styling with small but rather neat details. For instance, the SUV sits on Maybach’s 21-inch Monoblock wheels with 22s in the works. Moreover, a splash of optional dual-tone paint, chromed tidbits, and Maybach’s signature grill are also present. Still, the fake air intakes with the company’s logo look pretty neat but may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
That said, most of the magic is found inside the cabin, specifically in the second row. The EQS680 has two rear seating options; bench seat or first-class style seating. Both front and rear executive seats are equipped with ventilated leather for cooling/heating and a massage function as part of the Energizing Comfort pack. And to continue with the eco-friendly theme, Mercedes chose to innovate and used coffee bean shells as tanning agents for its sustainably processed Nappa leather.
Moving on to the dash, Mercedes is always about high-tech gizmos. The EQS680 gets three humongous MBUX screens here with three appearance styles; discreet, sport, and “Maybach.” What’s interesting is the discreet mode, where the content is minimized as much as possible while matching the ambient lighting. As for the rear, it’s equipped with two 11.6-inch screens and the rather familiar Samsung tablet for controls found in previous S-Class models.
Furthermore, to ensure the comfort of the occupants, Maybach went to great lengths to improve the overall NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness). For instance, it used artificial leather in the luggage compartment and used acoustic laminated glass to suppress exterior noise. The suspension also features air springs and adaptive dampers to create the sensation of driving on clouds. Combine all that with the 15-speaker Burmeister surround sound system with Dolby Atmos, and you basically have a moving home theatre here.
Powertrain-wise, the electric Maybach SUV borrows its motor from the AMG department. Although it’s missing the 751 hp boost button from the EQS sedan, it still produces a very healthy 649 hp and 700 lb-ft; enough to catapult that big boy from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.4 seconds. Moreover, the German brand claims a 372-mile range and up to 200 kilowatts of charging capacity.
Mercedes says the EQS680 SUV should reach dealerships later this fall. While pricing hasn’t yet been confirmed, assuming it’ll start around $150,000 might be a safe bet.
Gallery: 2024 Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV
