In merely two years, Mercedes-Benz astoundingly launched six fully-electric EQ vehicles, warranting a well-earned respite. However, the relentless German automaker accelerated instead, introducing the AMG-badged EQS and EQE sedans. Presently, Maybach joins the fray as Mercedes infuses its ultra-luxury division’s distinct touch into the EQS SUV.
Enter the 2024 Mercedes-Maybach EQS680 SUV – a grandiose re-imagination of the conventional EQS SUV, borrowing liberally from its predecessor, the extravagant $170,000 GLS600.
Distinctive to recent Maybach models, a two-tone paint embellished by a hand-drawn pinstripe is optional. The iconic Mercedes emblem adorns the hood, accompanied by a waterfall grille flaunting the first of several Maybach inscriptions. Tiny Maybach logos accent the non-functional lower intakes, mimicking the Louis Vuitton pattern, and reappear in the animated puddle lamps.
While the EQS’s fundamental design remains unaltered (contrary to the concept’s claims), it’s the intricate details that epitomize the Maybach badge. The cabin exemplifies this, as Mercedes eliminates the optional third-row, incorporating a fixed bulkhead behind a pair of majestic rear seats.
These highly adjustable seats, replete with calf massagers and heated shoulders, also provide the customary heating, ventilation, and massage features. The right rear seat boasts a retractable footrest. A stationary center console separates the seats, but selecting the First-Class Rear option expands the console, connecting to the front console in a floating bridge design.
The visually striking console not only showcases a puddle lamp projecting the Maybach logo onto the carpet but also offers heated cupholders, four USB-C ports, two HDMI ports, and a tablet housing. Unsurprisingly, silver-plated champagne flutes and a detachable refrigerator are optional. Alas, Mercedes didn’t provide Veuve Clicquot to test the glassware. Additionally, two 11.6-inch displays on the front seatbacks enable access to the MBUX infotainment system.
The Maybach upgrade goes beyond aesthetic and material alterations, enhancing the EQS’s performance with more powerful twin electric motors. The combined output reaches 649 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque, propelling this luxurious behemoth to 60 mph in a respectable 4.1 seconds. Interestingly, Mercedes-EQ enthusiasts will recognize this power figure as identical to the standard AMG EQS sedan. The 200-kilowatt DC charge peak equals the standard EQS, while the overall range reaches 372 miles under the WLTP cycle.
For the Maybach EQS passengers, the revamped air suspension takes precedence, boasting a dedicated Maybach driving mode. Replacing the Comfort setting, the Maybach mode prioritizes rear passenger ride quality by minimizing body movements and adjusting an “oscillation node” to lessen impact amplitudes.
Mercedes remains tight-lipped about the Maybach EQS pricing, produced alongside the standard model in their Tuscaloosa, Alabama factory. However, a starting price nearing $200,000 seems plausible. Sales in North America should commence in late 2023 or early 2024.
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