With the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV (provisional figures: combined power consumption: 24.4-22.5 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions: 0 g/km), the legendary brand is presenting its first all electric series model. It is based on the technology of the EQS SUV from Mercedes-EQ and combines it with the exclusivity of Maybach – in line with Karl Maybach’s maxim: “What is good must also be beautiful”. The special exterior with an upright Mercedes star on the hood and a striking black panel front, which carries the specific Maybach radiator grille into the age of electromobility, ensures an unmistakable appearance. The optional two-tone paintwork is also typical of the brand. Thanks to exquisite materials, perfect craftsmanship and exclusive details, the spacious interior offers a holistic comfort experience with a cocooning effect. With its consistent interpretation of Sophisticated Luxury, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV sets the new benchmark in the all-electric top-end luxury SUV segment.
The exterior design: Front end typical of the brand, chrome accents and brand emblem as a design element
Mercedes-Maybach enriches the dynamic purpose design of the EQS SUV from Mercedes-EQ with exclusive elements that give it its very own character. The Mercedes star sits enthroned on the hood, defining the status. The front is characterised by the brand-typical black panel with vertical, chrome-plated trim strips in a three-dimensional depth look. The large black panel is smooth closed for the first time. The high-tech element for the radar sensors is fully integrated and no longer visible. Chrome-plated, filigree slats can also be found on the air intake of the bumper. The classic MAYBACH lettering is discreetly incorporated into a chromeplated decorative strip, which forms a unit with the continuous light strip of the standard DIGITAL LIGHT headlights. The Maybach pattern with several small brand emblems can also be found in trim parts of the side bumper. DIGITAL LIGHT welcomes and says goodbye to the driver with a special light show. As a further greeting, an animated projection of the Maybach pattern shines in all four doors.
When viewed from the side, specific features include the bold chrome surrounds on the side windows and the chrome-plated B-pillar trim. This decorative element is an integral part of the Mercedes-Maybach signature and highlights the length of the rear seating area. A Maybach emblem on the D-pillar underlines the high quality. The lettering EQS is subtly integrated into the front window triangle. The pronounced wheel arches with claddings in high-gloss black emphasise the SUV’s power and emotional presence. Appropriately, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV rolls on exclusive 21 or 22-inch alloy and forged wheels. The MAYBACH lettering can be found on the integrated, exquisitely designed wheel hub caps. Another eye-catcher are the standard running boards, which are illuminated in the dark. The treads are made of anodised aluminium, which echoes the pinstripe look of the black panel front. The Maybach emblem is also stylishly integrated here.
At the rear, the rear lights underline the exclusive character as a continuous light strip with a two-part helix. The lights are animated across the entire width. There are also chrome trim elements on the tailgate, on the rear apron and the spoiler lip, as well as the MAYBACH lettering.
The special appearance of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV also includes the brand-typical two-tone paintwork with a filigree pinstripe. It is applied by hand according to the highest quality criteria and is available in five color combinations: high-tech silver/obsidian black, high-tech silver/nautical blue, obsidian black/selenite grey, obsidian black/kalahari gold and velvet brown/onyx black.
The interior design: The fusion of tradition and avant-garde
The design of the interior also consistently follows the Maybach credo “What is good must also be beautiful”. A highlight for the front passengers is the standard MBUX Hyperscreen with “zero layer” and Mercedes-Maybach-specific start-up animations on all three displays. The overall visual appearance is specially designed for the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV in an elegant deep blue. The numerous exclusive features include the animated display of the instrument cluster in “MAYBACH” mode. The pointers in the two tubes are designed like a silk scarf that moves elegantly in the wind according to the speed and driving style. At the same time, the digits change their size and are dynamically faded in or out. The surrounds for the round instruments are in rose gold, which is typical of the brand. An alternative display form to the tubes is the sporty “Pure EV” style. A three-dimensional performance bar conveys the respective driving status (driving, accelerating, charging).
The central display starts with the familiar home screen and the so-called “zero layer”. In this basic setting, the navigation map dominates. The driver can carry out 80 percent of the most common interactions directly without changing the application. The system reacts situationally and is personalised with intelligent suggestions and forward-looking offers.
The functional content and operating structure of all three displays correspond to those of the EQS SUV from Mercedes-EQ. The appearance can be customised with three display styles (discreet, sporty, MAYBACH) and three modes (navigation, assistance, service). In the discreet style, the content is reduced as much as possible and harmoniously co-ordinated with the colour change of the selected ambient lighting.
The rear passengers experience the same extensive range of infotainment and comfort features with two 11.6-inch displays on the backrests of the front seats. With the standard MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment, content can be shared quickly and easily on the various displays. It is also possible to select and modify the navigation destinations from the rear seats. The standard equipment also includes the MBUX rear tablet, which can also be used outside the vehicle, and the MBUX Interior Assist. With the help of cameras, it can recognise the operating requests of the passengers from body and hand movements and carry out the corresponding functions – for example switching on the reading lights.
Natural materials made with perfect craftsmanship create a stylish contrast to the high-tech look. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV comes standard with Maybach Exclusive Nappa leather in the warm colours espresso brown/balao brown pearl. Macchiato beige/bronze brown pearl is optionally available. For an even more sophisticated look, Maybach MANUFAKTUR Exclusive Nappa leather is available as an option in crystal white/silver grey pearl. The leather in all interior colours comes from sustainable processing. Natural woods are available as decorative parts: MANUFAKTUR brown open-pore birch wood and brown open-pore MANUFAKTUR walnut wood, as well as MANUFAKTUR piano lacquer black flowing lines.
The Maybach emblem, which is integrated at various points as a design element, underscores the high-quality appearance that is typical of the brand. It adorns the stainless steel pedal system, the cushions on the headrests, the front seat backrests and, as a projection, the footwell in the rear. In conjunction with the firstclass rear, it can also be found on the wood trim between the rear seats. When the trunk is open, it can also be seen on the inner lining of the tailgate. The brand lettering differentiates the steering wheel and welcomes all passengers on the stainless steel door sills in illuminated form.
Resource-saving luxury: Mercedes-Maybach introduces vegetable-tanned Nappa leather
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is the first model from Mercedes-Benz AG to be fitted with vegetabletanned leather. Coffee bean shells are used as tanning agents. The water used for tanning is conducted in a closed circuit and flows back into natural bodies of water after recycling. The fatliquoring agents used in tanning are also exclusively plant-based. The sustainably processed leather is not preserved with salt. This saves around 45 kilograms of salt per vehicle with leather seats. New upcycling products such as compostable flowerpots, insulating foams or decking boards are created from the “by-products” of tanning. The sustainably processed leather is therefore resource-saving. The coffee farmers also benefit as they receive a second income from selling the coffee bean shells.
Mercedes-Benz has defined binding criteria for sustainably processed real leather. An important procurement requirement for suppliers is that the leather supply chain must be free from any form of illegal deforestation. The grazing areas must not contribute to the endangerment or loss of natural forests. In this context, the partners must disclose their entire supply chain from the farm region to the end product. The leather skins may only come from animals that are kept in a species-appropriate manner. Only vegetable or alternatively sustainable tanning agents that are completely chrome-free may be used for tanning. For the refined leather, Mercedes-Benz requires its partners to carry out an eco-balance across all stages of the value-added process (Life Cycle Assessment).
Mercedes-Maybach wants to combine luxury with sustainability. In the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, a number of parts and components are made from resource-saving materials. Secondary steel and recycled aluminium are also included. The use of recycled materials is an important measure on the way to decarbonisation. Added to this is the net carbon-neutral production of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV and its battery at the Mercedes-Benz plants in Alabama, USA. The aim of Mercedes-Benz is to at least halve CO2 emissions per passenger car in the new vehicle fleet over the entire life cycle by the end of this decade compared to 2020 levels. From 2039, the new car and van fleet should be net carbon-neutral over their life cycle and the entire value chain.
The rear: Exclusive lounge with a holistic comfort experience for all the senses
In the rear of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, the combination of exquisite materials, perfect craftsmanship and exclusive details creates a self-contained feel-good atmosphere for all the senses – the so-called cocooning effect. Like the front seats, the standard Executive seats are equipped with ventilation, massage function and neck and shoulder heating. There is also a calf massage and the Chauffeur Package. As soon as the right rear passenger chooses the reclining position, the front passenger seat automatically moves forward to the chauffeur position. The massage programmes are also available as part of ENERGIZING COMFORT.
With the equipment First-Class Rear, the front centre console continues like a floating band to the rear seats. It was redesigned for the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV. Wooden trim adorns the rear storage compartment for the first time. It complements the wooden trim on the backs of the front seat backrests and between the rear seats, visually reinforcing the cocooning feel-good atmosphere. Also new is a projector in the centre console that discreetly projects the Maybach emblem onto the floor. As in the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the additional equipment includes two thermal cup holders and a shelf for the standard MBUX rear tablet. Four fast-charging USB-C ports and two HDMI interfaces also ensure that travellers 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.
Written by Mercedes Benz Press & Media team.
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