Huawei Aims High: New Luxury EV Sedan to Rival Maybach
China is gearing up to launch its own contender in the luxury sedan market: the Huawei-backed Maextro S800. This vehicle is poised to become the largest and one of the most expensive sedans in China, with an expected price tag of around $200,000. Offered in both pure electric and range-extended versions, the S800 poses a direct challenge to the Mercedes-Maybach.
This image shows a black Maextro S800 luxury sedan vehicle.
The S800 is a collaboration between Huawei and JAC, carrying the Maextro name for the first time. Launched in China recently, the car signals Huawei’s ambition to expand its automotive offerings, following the path of smartphone competitor Xiaomi. Promotional videos suggest that the S800 aims to surpass the top-of-the-range S-Class, and the vehicle certainly backs that up with some compelling features.
Like the S-Class, the S800 includes rear-wheel steering, which is intended to enhance maneuverability, especially in tight spaces. However, the S800 takes this a step further with a crab-walk functionality offering up to 16 degrees of movement. This feature is typically reserved for off-road vehicles and allows for better obstacle avoidance and improved rough terrain capabilities.
A similar function is available in another Chinese EV, the Denza D9 GT.
The S800 boasts Level 3 semi-autonomous driving capabilities, enabled by a suite of 32 sensors, including Lidar. The headlights adjust real-time to prevent dazzling other drivers and highlight pedestrians and road users. The cabin features air purification with dual filters. The pure electric version of the S800 comes standard with a three-motor configuration, generating a system output of 852 horsepower.
The S800 EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) has a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration, delivering 523 horsepower, but buyers can upgrade to the tri-motor setup like the BEV version.
While battery capacity and official range figures for the EV are still unknown, the range extender variant has a 65-kilowatt-hour battery. According to the manufacturer, this offers a claimed CLTC range of between 169 and 230 miles (272 and 371 kilometers.) The EREV variant weighs nearly 6,400 pounds (2.9 tons) due to the included a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. The BEV version is about 220 lbs (100 kg) lighter, potentially making it a quicker option.
Charging capabilities are notable, especially for the EREV, which supports a peak charging power of 390 kilowatts, allowing for a 10 to 80% charge in just 10.5 minutes. The S800’s design gives a hint as to its intent as the two-tone paint and wheel design resemble a Maybach. With its official debut in China expected in May, the starting price will range from $135,000 to over $200,000, depending on the version and options. It’s at this price point the S800 is supposed to live up to its Maybach ambition, and what remains to be seen is how it will surpass established luxury cars in the areas of rear-seat comfort, gadgets, and configurability, all crucial for the Chinese market.
