Unveiled in 2018, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is no more. German economic newspaper Handelsblatt newspaper reports that the luxury automaker has pulled the plug on what would have been part sedan, part SUV. The idea was to combine the two most popular body styles in China and create a new segment called Sport Utility Sedan (SUS). As today’s cool kids say, the concept still seemed a bit old-fashioned…
Three insiders cited by Handelsblatt newspaper say that the project has either been abandoned or suspended indefinitely. The decision was made a few months ago, which means that the production version will not see the light of day, while the previous plan called for the car to be marketed in China around 2025. It was to be built exclusively in Beijing on the ‘EVA2. platform used by the EQE/EQE and EQS/EQS SUVs.
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Mercedes admitted in a statement to the German newspaper that development of the SUS was being halted because the car was too complex and expensive to build. The three-pointed star claims that it already has numerous electric vehicles on sale in China to cover all important segments: “In order to reduce complexity, we have therefore decided not to pursue the project of a specific additional vehicle to China, based on the EVA2 architecture for the moment.”
If you don’t remember the (takes a deep breath) A Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury vision, it was an electric concept with 24-inch turbine-style wheels and a split-opening front trunk. It had all-wheel drive developing 738 horsepower from four motors drawing power from an underground battery with a usable capacity of about 80 kWh.
Mercedes claimed more than 200 miles of range according to the EPA procedure or more than 500 kilometers according to the overly optimistic NEDC test cycle. The battery supported 350 kW charging, in which case five minutes was enough to recharge the battery for 62 miles. At full tilt, the SUV-sedan machine could reach a speed electronically capped at 155 mph (250 km/h).
The unconventionally shaped Chinese concept was “modeled after the S-Class” to serve as “a completely new archetype of a never-before-seen kind,” according to Mercedes chief designer Gorden Wagener. When the car debuted five years ago, the man in charge of its appearance said:
“Our concept combines the DNA of an SUV with that of a sedan to produce an ultra-modern SUV in a notchback design. With sensuality and pure sophistication, we have created a timeless vehicle that underlines Mercedes-Maybach’s position as a vehicle ultimate luxury brand.”
The concept was an imposing size, measuring 5,260 mm (207 inches) long, 2,110 mm (83 inches) wide and 1,764 mm (69 inches) high. This isn’t the only Maybach-branded showcar that won’t be made, as the 2016 Mercedes-Maybach 6 and 2017 Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet also remained strictly concept cars.
This doesn’t mean Mercedes is holding back from expanding its sub-brand. The company with the double M logo is preparing a Maybach SL which will accompany the luxurious S-Class sedans, GLS and EQS SUV. Additionally, the new Mythos series of limited-edition ultra-luxury cars positioned above Maybach will debut in 2025 with an SL-based speedster.
