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TRANSITIONING to electric powertrains at Mercedes-Benz continues apace with this week’s Shanghai unveiling of the iconic German manufacturers range topping Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV.

Mercedes says the big, hyper-luxury SUV “redefines automotive excellence in the age of electromobility” which seems likely given the vehicle’s specification.

It affords occupants maximum luxury and comfort with a cocooning effect in the rear and is MB’s first model with sustainably processed leather upholstery… vegetable-tanned Nappa leather.

Adding an extra measure of luxury is the Maybach driving program that delivers “maximum noise comfort” while capitalising on and pretty much everything imaginable in the luxury automotive space at the moment.

The 2800kg Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV, speed limited to 210km/h has a twin electric motor combined output of 484kW/950Nm and a claimed range of up to 600km.

A standard 0-100km/h sprint takes 4.4 seconds, and the vehicle uses electricity at the rate of between 22.5 and 24.4kWh/100km. It has 4Matic all-wheel drive as standard and uses a 108kWh battery that is rechargeable from 10 to 80 per cent in 31 minutes using a 200kw DC charger.

On an ecological front, several parts and components are made from resource-saving materials. Secondary steel and recycled aluminium are also included. Added to this is the net carbon-neutral production of the 680 and its battery at the Mercedes-Benz plants in Alabama, USA.

Based on the Mercedes EQS SUV the new Maybach model is built in line with founder Karl Maybach’s maxim: “What is good must also be beautiful”.

It is differentiated from lesser MBs with a special exterior featuring an upright Mercedes star on the bonnet and a striking black panel front which carries the specific Maybach radiator grille.

Two-tone paint with filigree pinstripe is optional but probably necessary as it is a defining Maybach characteristic typical of the brand.

The spacious interior boasts “exquisite materials, perfect craftsmanship and exclusive details” that combine for a holistic comfort experience.

Inside the 680 is a fusion of tradition and avant-garde with a highlight for front passengers the standard MBUX Hyper screen with “zero layer” and Mercedes‑Maybach-specific start-up animations on all three displays.

Numerous exclusive features include the animated display of the instrument clusters in Maybach mode. Surrounds for the round instruments are in rose gold and a three-dimensional performance bar conveys the respective driving status (driving, accelerating, charging).

Rear passengers experience an extensive range of infotainment and comfort features with two 11.6-inch displays on the backrests of the front seats. With the standard MBUX high-end rear seat entertainment, content can be shared quickly and easily on the various displays. It is also possible to select and modify the navigation destinations from the rear seats.

Standard equipment includes the MBUX rear tablet, which can also be used remote from the vehicle, and the MBUX Interior Assist. Using cameras, it can recognise the operating requests of the passengers from body and hand movements (gestures) and carry out the corresponding functions – for example switching on the reading lights.

Also standard is a Burmester 4D surround sound system, the company says offers ‘the ultimate’ sound experience thanks to 15 speakers: two front bass speakers in the front footwell, one midrange and one tweeter in each door, two 3D speakers in the headliner, two surround speakers in the luggage compartment cover and a centre speaker in the instrument panel. There are also two exciters in each seat.

MB says the 680 eclipses its EQS SUV in terms of noise and vibration comfort due in part to the encapsulation of the electric drive train at the front and rear and an innovative support frame on the front axle and the drive units that are doubly decoupled via rubber mounts. 

Special acoustic foams in selected body shell profiles and the ramps in the underbody panelling were also adopted. They even reduce the noise of grit being thrown up in the wheel arches.

More extensive NVH measures are primarily aimed at the rear.

The suspension is a version of MB’s Airmatic air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard. Rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees is also standard.

Eco, Sport, Off-road and Individual dynamic drive modes are selectable along with the special Maybach drive program. It replaces the classic Mercedes Comfort program and is designed entirely for maximum driving comfort for the rear passengers. It ensures that there are only minimal body movements under the rear seats. An oscillation node is located there so that the amplitudes are at their lowest. Maybach driving program is the standard setting.

Mercedes spruiks the 680 as a “consistent interpretation of sophisticated luxury”, that sets the new benchmark in the all-electric top-end luxury SUV segment.

 “Mercedes-Maybach customers expect the extraordinary, and we aim to exceed their high expectations,” said Mercedes-Benz Group chairman, Ola Kallenius.

“The Mercedes‑Maybach EQS SUV unites our ambition to lead in digital and electric with our focus on the luxury segment. The very first all-electric vehicle from Mercedes-Maybach complements the best technologies from Mercedes‑Benz with the extra comfort and individual details that are only available from Mercedes‑Maybach.”