The Maybach brand is all about elevating levels of luxury and refinement and while at one time it was confined to large stately cars these days it’s on almost everything. SUV’s, sports cars and this the first ever Maybach EV, the Mercedes Maybach EQS. Can an EV make for a good Maybach? With an electrics inherently quieter and smoother running that’s half the job done, but what about the rest?
Mercedes-Maybach EQS exterior style
It’s the EQS SUV in the same dimensions but with way more bling and branding. The massive black grille panel now has vertical chrome plated strips creating the Maybach waterfall grille and the panel, being made out of Indium, allows radar beams to permeate through so there’s on unsightly radar panel visible.
The three-pointed star moves to the bonnet top and you get two tone colouring that has now become a Maybach trademark. The upper area is in darker shades of black or blue with the lower area available in a choice of selenite gray, silver, kalahari gold or velvet brown.
In the lower air dam area the Maybach logo is in a filigree effect at the corners but some may find this too much and the classic Maybach lettering is engraved on a chrome strip that can be found in the centre of the continuous light bar. It lights up as well. The digital headlamps have a special Maybach light show for welcome and goodbye.
Around the side you get 21” wheels that come in either the multispoke Maybach or the 5 hole design and the wheel arches have black cladding that runs across under the doors too with the chrome side step. Here too one can find the Maybach lettering. Chrome surrounds the window area and the B pillar too is in a galvanised chrome. The Maybach emblem is on the D pillar too.
At the rear the helix tail lamps with the connected bar are the same but you get iore chrome on the spoiler lip, the rear bumper and in the Maybach lettering above the lights. It does look stately and of course and with the gazillion logos and emblems and badges there is no mistaking that this is a Maybach.
Mercedes-Maybach EQS interiors
On the inside it’s a familiar layout, with the massive end to end glass panel that has the three screens behind which have Maybach specific start up sequences. The console has open pore wood or black gloss and there are subtle rose gold accents running across the AC vents through to the doors. The UI is in a deep blue and on Maybach mode the instruments don’t have the standard needles but a silk scarf like pointer that rises and falls with your acceleration or deceleration.
You get the comfort door package which means when you have the key the otherwise flush door handles extend out automatically on approach. Once inside the chauffeur can shut his own door by pressing the brake so that he or she doesn’t have to extend their arm way out. The other doors can also be opened or closed via the MBUX screen so you don’t have to sully your fingers or extend an arm. This is the pinnacle of luxury remember? The biggest difference and the best change in my opinion is in the back seat. You get the comfort seats now making this back seat much better than the standard EQS and if you go whole hog with the First class package in the rear you get the comfort seats and the chauffeur package where you can stretch out full length behind the passenger seat.
In the first class package the center console is a continuous beam from front to rear, dividing the rear in half so this is for two people only. The central area houses two thermal cup holders and a small storage area covered by an electronically openable shutter. There are two 11.6” entertainment screens can be hooked up to via HDMI ports and they also give you drive and navigation info. There’s also a tablet in the central console for rear passengers to access various functions too. You can also get fold away tables and a cooled box for the champagne and goblets.
Being an EV, the cabin is silent to begin with but there’s extensive work done to manage acoustics and it all adds up to provide complete calm inside. It’s like wafting along in your own spa on wheels. There are extensive levels of pampering with ventilated seats, massage functions that include a calf massage and sound from a 15 speaker Burmester 4D sound system with Dolby Atmos. The Energiser package offers a variety of ambient light and auditory experiences as well as active scenting to suit your mood.
Then of course there is the massive panoramic sunroof that offers you an extensive view making this cabin feel suer spacious which it is with this configuration of seats. Leg room and head room are ample.
Mercedes-Maybach EQS drive and performance
The 680 variant of the the Maybach comes with two permanently excited synchronous motors and they put out exciting levels of performance. You get 658hp and a whopping 900Nm of torque that propel you to 100 in just 4.4 seconds. Get behind the wheel and it is a joyful experience. Hard acceleration gives you an adrenalin inducing shove back into your seat and you reel in cars ahead of you at an incredible pace.
With this level of performance and the rear wheel steering at work you never feel like you are driving a vehicle that’s over 5 metres. It feels light on its feet and easy to manoeuvre too. On the winding roads around Monteray I found that the Maybach EQS can hold its own around corners too. Yes, its softly sprung and steering is tuned for comfort but you can still confidently carry a fair amount of speed around a winding section of road, which is more than you expect from something like this. But it is not meant to be a corner carver its meant to ferry passengers in a relaxed leisurely manner and it does that brilliantly and it masks speed so well its easy to forget how quick you are really going.
It has all wheel drive so it feels steady and planted but it also comes with the new Disconnect unit or DCU. Depending on driving characteristics and power required it automatically decouples the electronic motors on the front axles. At low loads it switches to 4X2 and this means you get more refinement but you also extended range. The Maybach EQS has a claimed WLTP range of 600km which means you should easily do something like a Mumbai Pune and back trip without charging.
Maybach has ensured an elevated ride experience. In Comfort mode you get a special Maybach programme with continuously adjustable damping and this means that the road imperfections disappear under the wheels and the passenger feels like they are floating on a cloud. The softness also means a bit of movement sideways on very undulating roads and for that its better to switch to Sport which firms it up slightly but also settles the ride. Even in Sport the ride is comfortable enough for rear passengers to forget about the road beneath.
With the air suspension you can increase ride height by about 35mm to ensure that you don’t belly any speed breakers.
Mercedes-Maybach EQS price and verdict
That the EQS would lend itself well to Maybach duty would be easy enough with the electric drivetrain, but Mercedes has done a lot more to elevate this massive electric SUV into the upper echelons of luxury motoring. Like it or not, for starters there’s there the typical Maybach bling on the outside and inside the rear seats now offer a truly luxurious and refined environment. It also addresses the biggest downside of the EQS sedan where the rear seats were never quite as comfortable as an S Class. And for owners who enjoy a stint behind the wheel it offers a fun enough driving experience as well. How much would all this set you back by? We’ll know later this week, but expect an eye watering amount. After all this is the pinnacle of luxury wrapped in green.
Also see:
Mercedes Maybach EQS India launch on September 5
2024 Mercedes E Class review: Smooth and Easy
