Huawei Wants Its Extended-Range EV Limo To Be Better Than A Maybach

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It is expected that the vehicle must genuinely rival the Maybach, given its estimated price tag of over $200,000.

China will soon unveil its own interpretation of a Maybach, the Huawei-backed Maextro S800.
It will become China's largest sedan and one of the country's most expensive vehicles, priced around $200,000.
Pure electric and battery-electric versions will be made available.

There is a wide range of Chinese electric cars available today, including compact city cars, sedans, hatchbacks, and crossovers, as well as some highly advanced high-end luxury models. One of them is the Maextro S800, a range extender or pure electric luxury sedan aimed at competing with the high-end version of the current Mercedes S-Class. This is a significant challenge; can this newcomer succeed in meeting this goal?

It has some pretty unique features to support that claim.

This feature, typically found in off-road vehicles, allows the vehicle to tilt up to 16 degrees, a capability usually reserved for vehicles designed for challenging terrain, which helps them navigate rough roads and obstacles.

Photo by: Huawei

It's being promoted as a solution for fitting the car into tight parking spaces.

The vehicle is equipped with advanced Level 3 semi-autonomous driving capabilities, allowing drivers to remove their hands from the wheel in certain situations, thanks to its 32-sensor array, which includes Lidar technology. Its headlights dynamically adjust in real-time not only to prevent dazzling oncoming vehicles but also to highlight pedestrians and other road users. Passengers enjoy clean air that has been filtered through two stages before entering the cabin, although it lacks an ionization function found in some other luxury vehicles.

The all-electric version of the S800 comes with a standard setup of three motors, which produces a combined output of 852 horsepower. The S800 EREV features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system, generating 523 horsepower, but customers can upgrade to the same tri-motor setup as the electric version.

The variant will have a 65-kilowatt-hour battery, which is good for a claimed CLTC range of between 169 and 230 miles (272 and 371 kilometers). Like the Chinese test cycle, this seems wildly optimistic for a vehicle that in EREV configuration weighs almost 6,400 pounds (2.9 tons) with its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine used as a generator adding to the weight.

The BEV version is approximately 220 pounds (100 kg) lighter, which should also make it the faster of the two. It charges at a slower rate than the EREV, which has a peak charging power of 390 kilowatts, allowing for a 10 to 80% charge in just 10.5 minutes.

As for the design of its wheels, it seems to be on the right track. However, we have yet to see the interior and some technical specifications remain unknown as it is not scheduled to officially debut in China until May.

It is expected to have a starting price equivalent to between $135,000 and over $200,000, depending on the version and options, making it suitable for China's largest and most luxurious sedan. At this price point, it must be truly exceptional, similar to a Maybach, and we are particularly interested in knowing how they plan to outdo established luxury vehicles in terms of rear seat comfort, features, and personalization. In China, this is an even greater concern than in Europe or the US.