Mercedes-Maybach's SUV Concept is a Lifted S-Class Sedan
Mercedes-Maybach is looking to introduce an all-new segment to the automotive industry.
Mercedes-Benz is largely credited for making the “four-door coupe” segment popular with its CLS, and now it’s ultra-luxury arm is gearing up for something new. Making its debut at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show, also known as Auto China 2018, is the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury, which combines “the DNA of an SUV with that of a sedan to produce an ultra-modern SUV of three-box design,” according to Gorden Wagener, chief design officer at Daimler AG.
The German automaker says the show car merges influences from the Western and Far Eastern hemispheres of the world, in a bid to deliver an appealing automotive cultural dialogue. Appealing specifically to the Chinese, the concept uses “Magic Wood” ebony, which is traditional in Chinese furniture design.
Like other Mercedes-Maybach concepts, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury features an all-electric powertrain comprised of four electric motors to generate 750 horsepower. It’s capable of producing a range of over 200 miles, or 500 kilometers on the more-generous NEDC cycle, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).
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The overall design of the concept resembles what you would expect from Mercedes-Maybach, with a familiar grille design that originally debuted on the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 two years ago. For the most part, the concept looks like a high-riding sedan, offering a seating position typically found in an SUV. Mercedes-Maybach says this addresses the desire of many customers for a feeling of protection and security. Further emphasizing its height are the massive 24-inch wheels located on each corner.
As you can guess, the cabin is packed to the brim with ultra-luxurious appointments, with the company going so far as to saying it “is the ultimate embodiment of a luxury dream automobile.” There are exclusive materials with high-grade highlights, while the colors used are typical for the brand: rose gold, crystal white, and pearl grey. Since the car is intended primarily for chauffeur-driven use, the design is strongly focused on the rear passengers and their accommodations. For example, the wide center console extends through to the rear and is equipped with a heated tray with teapot and cups.
If you think the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury looks strange, you’re not wrong. It’s an unorthodox approach to blending a traditional sedan with an SUV and only time will tell if there’s a market for these types of vehicles. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take off like the “four-door coupe” craze, because sedan-SUVs doesn’t sound proper at all.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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So wrong!
Lamborghini did a luxury SUV thirty years ago with a Countach V-12, beuatiful interior wood appointments and actually decent clean engineering. This bloated Maybach horror is just more proof that Mercedes has utterly and completely lost its way.