The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV is the brand’s first all-electric series model. It is based on the technology developed for the EQS SUV concept from the Mercedes-EQ programme, and enhanced with the exclusivity of the Maybach badge. Its striking black-panel front and two-tone paintwork in the exterior, and the use of exquisite materials and exclusive detailing in its spacious interior sets a new benchmark in the all-electric top-end luxury SUV segment.
The front end of the EQS 680 is typical of the brand. The Mercedes star sits on the hood. The brand-typical black panel – smooth and closed for the first time – has vertical, chrome-plated trim strips, giving it three-dimensional depth. A chrome-plated decorative strip, with Maybach lettering, forms a continuous unit with the light strip of the headlights. It welcomes and says goodbye to the driver with a special light show. As a further greeting, an animated projection of the Maybach pattern shines on all four doors.
The SUV’s profile features bold chrome surrounds on the side windows, a chrome-plated B-pillar trim, a Maybach emblem on the D-pillar, and the lettering ‘EQS’ subtly integrated into the front window triangle. The wheel arches are pronounced with claddings in high-gloss black, and house exclusive 21 or 22-inch alloy and forged wheels. The treads of the standard running boards, which illuminate in the dark, are made of anodised aluminium. At the rear, the lights are a continuous light strip with a two-part helix, and are animated across the entire width.
The SUV features the brand’s signature two-tone paintwork with a hand-applied filigree pinstripe. The two-tone paintwork is available in five colour combinations: high-tech silver & obsidian black, high-tech silver & nautical blue, obsidian black & selenite grey, obsidian black & Kalahari gold, and velvet brown & onyx black.
The EQS 680 interior comes standard with Maybach Exclusive Nappa leather in the Warm Espresso brown & Balao brown pearl colour combination, as standard. Several other two-tone combinations are also available along with a choice of natural woods.
The EQS 680 is the first Mercedes vehicle to be fitted with the new sustainability-focused leather. It is vegetable-tanned using coffee bean shells. The water used for tanning is conducted in a closed circuit and flows back into natural bodies of water after recycling. The leather and several other materials used in the SUV are sourced using the brand’s new sustainability guidelines.
The Maybach emblem features as an interior design element at various points, including the stainless steel pedal system, the cushions on the headrests, the front seat backrests, as a projection on the rear footwell, on the wood trim between the rear seats, and on the inner lining of the tailgate. The brand’s lettering is found on the steering wheel and on the stainless steel door sills in illuminated form.
The centrepiece of the front passengers’ experience is the three-piece integrated MBUX Hyperscreen, featuring Maybach-specific start-up animations on all three displays. The overall visual appearance, exclusive to the EQS SUV, is an elegant deep blue. The instrument cluster screen, in front of the driver, also features numerous exclusive animated displays. The pointers in the two dials are designed like a silk scarf that moves elegantly in the wind according to the speed and driving style. The sporty “Pure EV” style, is an alternative display in which a three-dimensional performance bar conveys the respective driving status.
In the central display, in which the navigation map dominates, the driver can carry out 80 per cent of the most common interactions directly without changing the application. The system reacts situationally and is personalised with intelligent suggestions and forward-looking offers. The functional content, operating structure and displays of all three screens can be customised with three display styles (discreet, sporty and Maybach) and three modes (navigation, assistance, and service).
The rear passengers experience the same extensive range of infotainment and comfort features with two 11.6-inch displays on the backrests of the front seats. With the standard MBUX Rear Seat Entertainment, content can be shared quickly and easily on various displays. It is also possible to select and modify the navigation destinations from the rear seats.
The standard equipment also includes the MBUX rear tablet, which can be used outside the vehicle. The MBUX Interior Assist, with the help of cameras, can recognise the operating requests of the passengers from body and hand movements and carry out the corresponding functions – for example, switching on the reading lights.
Like the front seats, the standard Executive seats are equipped with ventilation, massage function, neck and shoulder heating, and calf massage. The Chauffeur Package automatically moves the front passenger seat forward to the chauffeur position as soon as the right rear passenger chooses the reclining position. The Active Ambient Lighting has 253 individually controllable LEDs and 64 individually selectable colours.
To ensure good air quality, EQS 680 is equipped, as standard, with the Energizing Air Control Plus system in conjunction with the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. The HEPA filter effectively cleans the incoming outside air of fine dust, very small particles, pollen, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and odours.
The standard Burmester 4D surround sound system includes 15 speakers and two exciters in each seat. It features the Dolby Atmos immersive audio experience, which makes it possible to place discrete audio elements in a three-dimensional sound field and adapt them to any playback environment. The SUV’s driving sound, called “Aerial Grace,” was specially created for the EQS 680 and can be heard in the interior. It is interactive and reacts to a dozen different parameters, including accelerator pedal position, speed and recuperation.
The noise and vibration reduction measures are primarily aimed at the rear. These include the encapsulation of the electric drive train at the front and rear, the innovative support frame on the front axle and the drive units that are doubly decoupled via rubber mounts. The special acoustic foams in selected body shell profiles and the ramps in the underbody panelling, along with other measures, add to noise reduction.
The SUV’s Airmatic air suspension comes with the continuously adjustable damping ADS+ as standard. The vehicle’s level can be raised by up to 35 millimetres. Rear-axle steering, with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees, is also standard. Alternatively, the rear wheels can be turned up to 10 degrees. This enables a turning circle of 11.0 instead of 11.9 metres, which corresponds to that of average compact models.
In addition to the Dynamic Select driving programmes – Eco, Sport, Offroad and Individual – the EQS SUV has the special Maybach drive programme as standard. It is designed to offer maximum comfort for the rear passengers. It ensures that there are only minimal body movements under the rear seats.
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV has 4Matic all-wheel drive as standard and two permanently excited synchronous motors. The combined output is 484 kW, 950Nm of torque and a reported range of up to 600 kilometres. The reported top speed is 210kmph with a 0-100kmph acceleration achieved in 4.4 seconds.
“The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is a milestone in our brand history,” said Daniel Lescow, Head of Mercedes-Maybach. “For us, it embodies nothing less than the redefinition of automotive excellence in the age of electromobility. Our customers can look forward to an absolutely top-class electric driving experience – with the aura of the extraordinary that is typical of Maybach.”