BACH TO THE FUTURE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV redefines the market for ultimate luxury SUV limos. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 50

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is this luxury sub-brand's first all-electric full-sized luxury SUV. At launch, it could claim to be the market's ultimate all-electric plutocratic conveyance, as it should be for its exalted price tag. Chauffeur-driven eco-minded celebrities and enviro-conscious super-rich customers may well feel they can accept no substitute.

Backgroundword count: 158

For plutocrats wanting the ultimate electric luxury SUV who really can't wait until JLR gets around to bringing out an electric Range Rover, Mercedes has created this car; the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV. Or, to give it its full name, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV. Even the badgework's fully loaded. As Mercedes-Maybach models always are. We've already had them based on the S-Class and, more pertinently here, on the brand's big GLS SUV. This though, is the first electric Maybach, which makes it quite significant. After all, one day quite soon, even exotic large luxury SUVs will be full-electric but at this Maybach model's launch in 2023, this was the only one that was. Which might make it a slam-dunk choice for rich and famous folk who want to be chauffeur-driven into the kind of city centres that not long into the future will start banning combustion-powered limos entirely. Let's take a closer look at what's on offer here.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 223

Without giving details, Mercedes insists that the weight of this car is 'under three tonnes', but it can't be that much under. And given that, perhaps we should be impressed that if escape from the paparazzi is needed, it can spirit its occupants from rest to 62mph in just 4.4 seconds. Goodness knows how fast the twin electric 4MOTION motors would take this Maybach if it wasn't so prodigiously weighed down. As it is, there's 649bhp and 950Nm of torque (the same powertrain as the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC saloon). And the enormous 107kWh (usable capacity) battery pack will take you around 370 miles between lengthy charges. There's the latest Mercedes chassis technology too, which includes a rear wheel steering system (standard 4.5-degrees or optional 10-degrees) to aid manoeuvrability, reducing the turning circle from 11.9m to just 11.0m (about the same as a compact hatch). There's also continuously adaptable ADS+ damping which can raise the air suspension's ground clearance by up to 35mm. Unique to this car is a special 'Maybach' drive mode, which replaces the normal 'Comfort' setting in the Mercedes 'Dynamic Select' system. This default setting is designed specifically for rear passenger comfort, ensuring that there are only minimal body movements under the rear seats. The other drive settings are 'Eco', 'Sport', 'Off-Road' and 'Individual'. Refinement of course is absolutely peerless.

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