Mercedes-Benz Maybach EV Concept Helps Rich People Feel Better About Themselves

Mercedes-Benz introduced the Maybach EQS electric, an opulent concept car that the company says is a preview of what the future of high-end electric cars could look like. The company unveiled the EV SUV at the IAA Mobility show, where it also announced a G-Class SUV concept and a more accessible electric sedan.

Compared to the existing Maybach GLS, the EQS concept doesn’t look particularly weird. Mercedes says the unique vehicle is based on its modular electric architecture – the same that powers its upcoming EQS sedan. The company says the concept is meant to show off its vision for a “local emissions-free future,” without giving up the exclusivity and luxury that the Maybach name implies – Mercedes says the interior is meant to remind you of a yacht, and the SUV has what’s called a “driver package”.

Image: Mercedes-Benz

For the ultra-luxury segment in which Maybach exists, it wouldn’t hurt if a greener option exists in the world. The gasoline-powered Maybach GLS has a thirsty 4L V8, which gets 15 MPG in the city and 19 on the highway, according to Edmunds. Rolls-Royce’s Cullinan SUV is even worse, with a 6.75L (twelve !!) V12, which would have gotten 12 (twelve !!!) MPG in town (but 20 on the highway). While EVs obviously aren’t going to drastically reduce the outsized carbon emissions of the rich, they probably wouldn’t do any harm.

Of course, going green can’t come at the cost of feeling better than everyone around you. Mercedes’ page for the concept car contains incredible prose describing the Maybach EQS: its silhouette is “dynamic”, its design “seamless”. Fortunately, to accompany the theme of environmental friendliness of electric vehicles, the carpet is “faux fur”, instead of the real deal. That’s quite the point, however – Maybach is a capital luxury brand, so any concept must have an aura of prestige around it.

Image: Mercedes

Oh, and the headlights are surrounded by Maybach logos, because concept cars aren’t made for subtlety.

Image: Mercedes-Benz

There are of course already some luxury electric cars that you can actually buy. I think of the Porsche Taycan and the Mercedes EQS, but these types of cars have… let’s call it a different role, culturally speaking. These are the types of cars you drive, while Maybachs are the types of cars you drive in (and not by an automated system, as the future Tesla promises). If you’re cross-buying a Maybach, your other options may be more Rolls-Royce than, say, Tesla whose build quality can sometimes miss the “luxury” brand by a mile.

Again, however, the Maybach EQS is just a concept, so it may be some time before you (yes, you, the people who bought the $ 50,000 TV on Black Friday) can get hold of one. While this is an odd vehicle from an everyday driver’s point of view, it’s not the type of concept you’d look at and think “Yeah, maybe in a million years”, like the Avatar car. from last year’s Mercedes. Mercedes calls the concept “a clear preview of the first fully electric production model” of the Maybach lineup, and the company already has an EV platform it could use. It’s not a subtle car, so I’m sure it won’t be hard to miss when something like this hits the road.

Oh, and I almost forgot: like a lot of concept cars, there is a completely impenetrable “film” that goes with it. Honestly, butterflies are a nice touch.