Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV to be the Pinnacle of the EQ range [Update]

• Design (Concept Version)
• Features & Range (Production Version)
• Made in USA
• Release date
• Mercedes-Maybach sales in 2021
• Mercedes-Benz to focus on three categories
• Electric Maybach SUV FAQs
• What is the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV release date?
• What will be the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV price?
• What are the expected rivals of the Electric Maybach SUV?

Update: ‘Mercedes-Benz to focus on three categories’ section added and ‘Release Date’ section updated.

The Mercedes EQ line-up will include an ultimate electric SUV called the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV. Mercedes-Benz Group (formerly Daimler) has released a concept version, called ‘Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS,’ to preview its ambition of electric luxury.

Video Source: YouTube/Mercedes-Benz

Design (Concept Version)

Mercedes-Benz Group hasn’t released the dimensions yet, but it looks like the Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS is smaller than the Mercedes-Maybach GLS. A dedicated EV platform means that it doesn’t need to have a body shell as big to offer a comparable interior space. Moreover, while the Maybach GLS SUV is a derivative of a three-row SUV, designers conceived the Maybach EQS SUV concept as a two-row model. So, it was possible to make it compact.

The electric Maybach SUV (rendered below) would look quite close to the Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS (top). Image Source: Mercedes-Benz Group

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV concept is curvy and has the typical looks of a crossover. A giant faux Maybach grille, thin headlights with individual diamond blocks, and the longitudinal chrome-plated trim strip on the hood are among the highlights at the front. On the sides, the concept has chrome B-pillars, huge 24-inch Maybach “bowl” design alloy wheels with five short spokes and a flat center section, chrome window surround, and flush door handles.

TopElectricSUV.com’s exclusive rendering tells buyers what to expect from the production Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV. The rendering of the final electric Maybach SUV builds on the speculation that it will be quite close to the show car. At the front, the road-ready model differs with practical headlamps that are larger, outer air inlets with horizontal fins, and an open lower grille.

On the sides, smaller Maybach forged wheels in the five-slot design have replaced the 24-inch “bowl” design alloys of the concept, which Mercedes-Benz Group casually stated as “generously dimensioned.” The mirrors are also new, featuring a more rounded design.

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV would feature electric running boards (side steps) that automatically swing out (from the side sill panels) for convenient access and egress. Image Source: Mercedes-Benz Group

The rear-end of the electric Maybach SUV concept has a cleaner design compared to the sides. The thin combination lights have a continuous helix light strip, and they cover the whole width of the SUV and extend further out onto the sides. They add definition to the minimalist and smooth tailgate. Expect them to get bigger on the production version.

The driver and passengers step inside the vehicle through automatically opening comfort doors (front and rear). The interior design is a richer interpretation of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS, with changes like “faux fur” floor covering, vase insert, and an integrated touchscreen in the floating rear center console, white chrome-look trim, rose gold-colored pilaster strips and accents, and more. While the concept is a four-seater, the production version should be available as a four-seater and a five-seater.

The SUV concept’s steering with flattened top and bottom sections is lifted from the Mercedes Vision EQS concept car.

Features & Range (Production Version)

The Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS sits on Mercedes-Benz Group’s new MB.EA platform, which is the next-gen version of the EVA platform that underpins the Mercedes EQS and EQE. A report from WardsAuto suggests that it could have a motor on each axle, generating around 650 horsepower (combined) and 750 Lb.-Ft. of torque (combined).

Range & Charging

The electric Maybach SUV should offer plug-in DC fast-charging at 200 kW or higher capacity such that a quick 15-minute charge adds around 300 km (186 miles) to the range. The EQS gets 485 miles (780 km) of range from a 107.8 kWh (net) battery as per Europe’s stringent WLTP. However, the higher range is made possible due to extreme measures with aerodynamics, which would not be descriptive of the electric Maybach SUV. Mercedes-Benz Group is targeting WLTP ranges of around 600 km or 473 miles for the Mercedes EQS SUV architecture.

Digital interior

Like the concept, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV would feature the MBUX Hyperscreen, comprising three high-resolution screens under an ultra-wide glass panel at the front, with Maybach-specific display styles and content. Other high-end features, many of which may come as standard, may include AR HUD, automatic comfort doors, and HEPA Air Filtration System.

The augmented reality head-up display will likely measure 77 inches diagonally, and its imaging unit should comprise a high-resolution matrix of 1.3 million individual mirrors. It may project information and actions, like animated turn arrows, for instance, three-dimensionally.

Comfort doors

The automatic comfort doors would allow entering/exiting the vehicle without manual effort. The exterior door handles would extend when the driver would approach the vehicle, and then, on getting closer, the driver’s door would open automatically. The driver’s door would close automatically after pressing the brake pedal. The driver would be able to open and close the doors electronically for the other occupants. The rear-seat occupants would also be able to shut the doors electronically.

HEPA air filtration system

The HEPA Air Filtration System in the EQS carries the OFI CERT” ZG 250-1 certification for protection from viruses and bacteria, and the EQS SUV, as well as its Maybach variant, should inherit that system. It uses 600 grams of activated charcoal, and it has a microfiber layer that traps fine dust of PM 2.5-0.3 classes. The air occupants breathe inside the vehicle becomes about as clean as in clean rooms and operating rooms. The air filter would lie under the vehicle’s hood, which would be locked and openable only at authorized service centers.

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV should offer a range (WLTP) of up to around 600 km or 373 miles. Image Source: Mercedes-Benz Group

Exclusive charging stations

Customers of the first Mercedes-Maybach electric SUV will enjoy the convenience of charging at exclusive charging stations. These charging stations could offer pre-booking/scheduling service and a luxurious facility to rest and relax while the EV charges.

We are planning to launch several premium-charging sites in Europe, which will offer a bespoke charging experience for our customers with top-notch facilities.

Sajjad Khan, former Chief Technical Officer, Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update: electric drive)

The super-rich may not wish to deal with charging cables, but there’d be no alternative until wireless EV charging is practical. Until then, the company will offer Mercedes-Maybach customers the convenience of “Plug & Charge.” At public charging stations, charging would be a one-step process. Just plug in the charger, and the EV would start charging. Mercedes me Charge would handle the payment for charging. Sajjad Khan, former Chief Technical Officer, Mercedes-Benz AG, explains:

Once you arrive at the charging station, the brand new feature “Plug & Charge” simplifies the complete experience: Plug in, charge, unplug – just as easy. No authentication is required and the payment automatically runs in the background without any additional hassle or action. Plug & Charge will go live with the market launch of the EQS this year.

Sajjad Khan, former Chief Technical Officer, Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update: electric drive)

Made in USA

Mercedes-Benz Group will likely manufacture the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV alongside the EQS SUV at its Tuscaloosa factory in Alabama, USA. The company is building a battery plant in Bibb County, which is close to the Tuscaloosa passenger-car plant. This facility will be responsible for churning out the EQE SUV and EQS SUV’s batteries.

The Maybach SUV would offer all the opulence that customers expect from the Maybach badge. However it will be exclusive, available only in limited numbers.

For that ultimate luxury brand, we need to always be mindful that we keep scarcity alive as well. So we’re not going to flood the market with this (Maybach electric SUV).

Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Källenius during the Q4 2021 results call in Feb 2022

Release date

Moreover, Mercedes-Benz has stated in an official press release dated May 19, 2022, that the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is on track to be launched in 2023. The variant was confirmed during the strategy update in July 2021:

What applies to the Mercedes portfolio also applies to our incredibly strong sub brands: We want to go electric. So, you can look forward to a top-notch EQS SUV version of Mercedes-Maybach, for example.

Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Marketing & Sales, at the ‘Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update: electric drive’ on July 22, 2021

Heiko Schmidt, EQ brand manager, Mercedes-Benz USA, told MotorTrend in a recent interview that the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV would arrive in 2023. Schmidt was discussing the timelines of EQ EV launches for the United States. He thinks that there is a potential for a posh large electric SUV like the Maybach EQS SUV. China, Russia, South Korea, the U.S., and Germany, could be the Maybach EQS SUV’s top markets.

Mercedes-Maybach sales in 2021

Mercedes-Maybach sales soared in 2021 though it was a year fraught with challenges. Mercedes-Benz Group sold 15,730 vehicles from its luxury brand worldwide in 2021, 50.7% higher than in 2020. With a strong demand of more than 900 vehicles per month, China was the growth driver. It could potentially be the single biggest market for the Mercedes-Maybach EQ models, including the EQS SUV.

Mercedes-Benz to focus on three categories

Mercedes-Benz announced on May 19, 2022, that it would focus on three categories in the future: Top-End Luxury, Core Luxury, and Entry Luxury. Top-End Luxury would include AMG models, Mercedes-Maybach versions, range-topping Mercedes-EQ cars like the EQS and EQS SUV, S-Class and G-Class models, and limited edition and exclusive collaboration cars.

Core Luxury would include C-Class and E-Class model ranges and their pure electric counterparts based on the EVA2 and the MB.EA platforms. Lastly, Mercedes-Benz will redefine the Entry Luxury segment by reducing the number of models from seven to four. They will be based on the compact MMA platform and benefit from more features and technology.

Electric Maybach SUV FAQs

What is the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV release date?

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is officially scheduled for market launch in 2023.

What will be the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV price?

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS prices in the U.S. may start close to USD 150,000.

What are the expected rivals of the Electric Maybach SUV?

The Cadillac Escalade EV, Range Rover Electric, and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer EV could be worthy future alternatives.

Featured image: Mercedes-Benz Group

Keyword: Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV to be the Pinnacle of the EQ range [Update]