Mercedes-Maybach Vision Ultimate Luxury concept unveiled

The new 740bhp Maybach EV concept blends an SUV with a saloon.

Mercedes-Maybach has revealed the Vision Ultimate concept EV at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show. The production vehicle based on this concept is expected to be a Maybach exclusive vehicle with no lesser Mercedes-Benz version.

If the exterior of this concept has left you perplexed, then you probably are not alone. It can indeed get hard to figure out what Maybach is trying to achieve with this jacked-up saloon-like SUV. However, in his defense, the vehicle’s chief designer says, 'The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is a totally new archetype of a kind never seen before. Our concept combines the DNA of an SUV with that of a saloon to produce an ultra-modern SUV of three-box design'.

Once you get over that strange silhouette, you’ll find that the car is designed in line with Maybach’s pervious concepts. The front end is accentuated by the distinctive chrome-plated radiator grille sporting vertical bars – a design that celebrated its world premiere in the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 coupe.

The upright C-pillar, long, forward-sloping bonnet and compact notchback dominate the car’s side view. The muscular volume of the flank is accentuated by a long wheelbase and short rear overhangs. At the rear end, the three-part lamps are reminiscent of the design of the front headlamps. Situated above them is the vertically split rear window.

In line with what you’d expect from a Maybach, the interior features exclusive materials with high-grade highlights. The colours employed in the cabin are typical of the brand, such as rose gold, crystal white and pearl grey. Flowing forms, delicate fabrics and aluminium parts are present everywhere. Claimed to be intended primarily for chauffeur-driven use, its design is strongly focused on the rear passengers.

The Vision Ultimate Luxury is conceived as an electric car. Thanks to its four compact permanent-magnet synchronous motors, it offers fully variable all-wheel drive. The output from the powertrain is 550kW (~740bhp). The flat underfloor battery has a usable capacity of around 80kWh, producing a range of around 500km, with an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Fast-charging function is also available – in five minutes, enough power can be charged to achieve a range of around 100km.

The production version of this concept is expected to be based on the upcoming third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLS. The model will be a rival to the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Whether the production model will retain the distinctive design of the concept is yet to be seen.