Beijing show: Mercedes-Maybach outs Ultimate Luxury

MERCEDES-MAYBACH has rolled out its latest high-end concept at the Beijing motor show this week, with the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury combining conventional sedan and SUV body styles to create an unconventional shape.

Presenting as a blockier, high-riding four-door sedan that measures in at 5260mm long, 2110mm wide and 1764mm tall, the Ultimate Luxury is a departure from the norm, but Mercedes-Maybach’s focus on delivering unrivalled levels of opulence remains.

The front end is dominated by a large grille with vertical chrome bars that mimic a pinstripe suit, with this look first seen on the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Coupe at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Slim LED headlights feature three individual lamp units, while large air inlets flank a horizontal air inlet with chrome blades and honeycomb-pattern mesh to round out the purposeful, SUV-like front-end look.

However, the side profile is where the sedan element of the Vision Luxury is most apparent, with its three-box design clearly on show, despite featuring larger surfaces typically found on SUVs.

A set of turbine-style 24-inch alloy wheels are a suitable match for the Vision Luxury’s presence, while black wheelarch extensions and flush doorhandles link with chrome trim for the window surrounds and character lines to signal its intentions.

Three-section LED tail-lights bisect the rear end, which echoes that of a sedan thanks to its traditional boot lid and proportions.

However, the rear window is uniquely split in two, following the signature elevated chrome strip that also splits the bonnet and runs through the panoramic glass roof.

Just like the front end, the rear is characterised by its flanking air inlets, while a diffuser element incorporates the honeycomb-pattern mesh seen on the adjacent bumper.

The interior of the Vision Luxury is suitably luxurious, with front and rear passengers afforded sumptuous comfort, although the latter receive a larger dose thanks to reclining seats with calf support.

Rear passengers also have access to the wide centre console that extends through the first row and features a heated Magic Wood tray with fine-china teapots and cups that can be stowed away at the press of a button.

Given the Ultimate Luxury is intended to be a chauffeur-driven vehicle, driver controls are kept to a minimum, with a pair of free-standing widescreen 12.3-inch displays projecting the instrument cluster and infotainment system.

Lashings of Crystal White Nappa leather upholstery with rose-gold diamond stitching are prominent, while polished aluminium, Dark Ebony wood, gloss black, metallic red and rose gold trims are generously used throughout the cabin.

The Ultimate Luxury is motivated by a pure-electric powertrain, which consists of four compact permanent-magnet synchronous motors that provide 550kW of power and fully variable all-wheel drive.

A flat underfloor battery pack has a usable capacity of 80kWh, which equates to a driving range of more than 500 kilometres when using NEDC standards. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Significantly, the Ultimate Luxury allows a charging capacity of up to 350kW due to its support for fast DC charging under the CCS standard. As such, about 100km of range can be added after a brief five-minute charge.

In addition to wired charging, induction charging is also possible when the Ultimate Luxury is parked on top of an electromagnetic field that wirelessly transmits its current.

According to Daimler AG chief design officer Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Maybach has used the Ultimate Luxury to reinforce its position as the leading high-end automotive brand.

“The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is a totally new archetype of a kind never seen before,” he said. “Our concept combines the DNA of an SUV with that of a saloon to produce an ultra-modern SUV of three-box design.

“With sensuality and pure sophistication, we have created a timeless vehicle that underscores the position of Mercedes-Maybach as the ultimate luxury brand.”