Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury. The electric crossover based on an exclusive high-end saloon and an SUV

 

World premiere of Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury. This show car is the ultimate embodiment of a luxurydream automobile.

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury unveiled at Auto China 2018 has a majestic look. With its balancedproportions, the vehicle has tremendous presence.

The design of the crossover, based on an exclusive high-end saloon and an SUV, follows the philosophy of Sensual Purity. The luxury show car combines the comfort and typical strengths of both body styles. These include the raised seating position and the athletic looks. The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is conceived as an electric vehicle withfour compact permanent-magnet synchronous motors and fully variable all-wheel drive.

With its generous dimensions, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury (length/width/height: 5260 x 2110 x 1764 millimetres) represents a continuation of the series of visionary design show cars from Mercedes-Benz. The series so far includes the Vision EnerG‑Force (Los Angeles, November 2012), AMG Vision Gran Turismo (Sunnyvale, 2013), Vision Tokyo (Tokyo, 2015), Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Coupé (Pebble Beach, 2016) and Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet (Pebble Beach, 2017).

“The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is a totally new archetype of a kind never seen before,” says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG. “Our concept combines the DNA of an SUV with that of a saloon toproduce an ultra-modern SUV of three-box design,” says Wagener. “With sensuality and pure sophistication, we have created a timeless vehicle that underscores the position of Mercedes-Maybach as the ultimate luxury brand.”

The front end is accentuated by the distinctive chrome-plated radiator grille with its fine vertical bars in the style of a pinstripe suit. The new grille design celebrated its world premiere in the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, the exclusive coupé concept car that delighted aficionados and fans of the brand in 2016. It also inspired the latest reinterpretation for the Mercedes-Maybach S‑Class.

Unlike a conventional saloon, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury offers a significantly higher, SUV-typical seating position.

As the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is intended primarily for chauffeur-driven use, its design is strongly focused on the rear passengers and their well-being. It is in the rear that the feeling of cosy spaciousness is at its most intense.

The driver’s area and cockpit are reduced to the essentials. Air vents, which reflect the design of the radiator grille, surround the free-standing Widescreen Cockpit with double 12.3‑inch displays.

 

Modelled on the S-Class

As in the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the especially comfortable seats impress with their adjustment kinematics. Unlike in a conventional saloon, the backrest is adjusted separately while the footwell and seat reference point remain unchanged. The cushion can be adjusted separately, while the seat angle and height adjustment are combined. Extra-soft knee cushions afford protection and comfort. The reclining seats feature a calf support, which is freely adjustablefor length and angle. The crystal white nappa leather seats are enhanced by diamond stitching in rosé gold.

The wide centre console extends through to the rear. It is equipped with an integral, heated tray with teapot and cups,allowing exquisite tea-drinking enjoyment while on the road.The vehicle plays music to match the current mood, knows the appointment calendar and plans the routes accordingly.In the rear, various flavours of tea and relaxation programmes are on offer, depending on who the rear passenger is.

The familiar ENERGIZING comfort control has been carried over from the S‑Class. Systems such as massage,fragrancing, light and music are combined, helping to regenerate and improve concentration. This holistic comfort andinfotainment system can be individually programmed and adapted for every world market.

The highlight of the Mercedes-Benz user experience in the Vision Mercedes‑Maybach Ultimate Luxury is thecomprehensive touch control concept – a combination of touchscreen, touchpad on the centre console and TouchControl buttons in the steering wheel. Alongside the intuitive control experience, reduced driver distraction is a furtheradvantage.

 

State-of-the-art powertrain and suspension technology

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is conceived as an electric car. Thanks to its four compactpermanent-magnet synchronous motors, it offers fully variable all-wheel drive. The output from the powertrain is 550 kW(750 hp). The flat underfloor battery has a usable capacity of around 80 kWh, producing an NEDC range of over 500 kilometres (according to EPA: over 200 miles). The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

The fast-charging function is also convenient: thanks to DC charging based on the CCS standard, the system allows acharging capacity of up to 350 kW. In just five minutes, enough power can be charged to achieve an additional range ofaround 100 kilometres.

The battery can be charged by cable at public charging stations, conventional domestic socket outlets or, even more conveniently, by induction. The charging current is contactlessly transmitted by an electromagnetic field below the car.