The “Auto China 2018” in Beijing is a special showcase for the top manufacturers of this world. The brand with the iconic star presents here something truly unique: the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury.

A stunning crossover, based on an exclusive high-end saloon and an SUV. The 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 with four compact permanent-magnet synchronous motors and fully variable all-wheel drive.

As our love for iconic and trendsetting automobiles is boundless, we tell you’re here more about it…just read on!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

An archetype…

“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 to produce an ultra-modern SUV of three-box design,” says Wagener.

Of course it appeals to automotive tastes on all continents. The show car merges influences from the Western and Far Eastern hemispheres to deliver an appealing automotive cultural dialogue. For instance, use is made of “Magic Wood”, ebony, which is traditional in Chinese furniture design. The same motif is also underlined by the combination of SUV and notchback saloon, which are the most successful body styles not only internationally, but especially on the Chinese market.

Pure and sensual exterior

The smooth surfaces with no beads or sharp edges create an aura of sporty elegance. The proportions are well balanced and create a vehicle with presence.

The front end is accentuated by a distinctive and opulent chrome-plated radiator grille with fine vertical bars.  The new grille design celebrated its world premiere in the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6. It also inspired the latest reinterpretation for the Mercedes-Maybach S‑Class.

The large air inlets along with the horizontal air inlet with integral chrome blades add a touch of dynamic sportiness. The task was to harmoniously transfer the familiar three-box design – bonnet, passenger compartment and boot – to an SUV-like architecture.

The muscular volume of the flank is accentuated by a long wheelbase and short rear overhangs. The overall appearance is rounded off by 24‑inch turbine-look wheels.

Truncated running boards in machined aluminium are integrated in the lower door area. They are illuminated in white and bear the Maybach logo.

At the rear end, the three-part lamps are reminiscent of the design of the front headlamps. Situated above them is the visually vertically split rear window. Another striking feature is the modelled underride guard with diffuser look. It, too, is permeated by the Maybach pattern from the front end.

An interior which brings elegant lightness…

The goal of the interior designers was to provide echoes of the series-produced vehicles while, however, transporting them into an unprecedented world of luxury. They created a symbiosis of sportiness, modernity and elegance, giving an idea of coming generations of Mercedes-Maybach models.

The colors employed are typical of the brand, such as rosé gold, crystal white and pearl grey. Flowing forms, delicate fabrics and aluminum parts create an exciting contrast between the sportily elegant details of an SUV and the lightness of a saloon.

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 cozy 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. The feeling of spaciousness is further enhanced by a light, contrasting bottom part of the instrument panel as well as by the reduced height of the dashboard. To emphasize the visual lightness, the rosé gold frame of the front seats is open, exposing the white leather to view.

The claim to the ultimate in luxury goes hand-in-hand with extreme technical challenges. For instance, the intense Mercedes-Maybach signature red metallic finish is applied by an expert hand in several coats. Wave-like, flowing lines of light are applied flush into the wood surfaces, uniting the analogue and digital worlds.

Seats modeled 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 adjustable for length and angle.

A soothing tea ceremony on wheels…

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 tea service is integrated into a sculpted wooden tray made of ebony, known as “Magic Wood”. At the press of a button, the handmade service of finest china can be electrically retracted into the console under a sliding cover finished in high-gloss black.

The car was created entirely in a 3D real-time graphic environment. Like a butler, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury acts with anticipation, instead of offering long menus and lists. 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 and infotainment system can be individually programmed and adapted for every world market.

The Vision Mercedes‑Maybach Ultimate Luxury offers a comprehensive touch control concept – a combination of touchscreen, touchpad on the centre console and Touch Control buttons in the steering wheel.

State-of-the-art electric powertrain and future proof suspension technology…

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is conceived as an electric car. Thanks to its four compact permanent-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 a charging capacity of up to 350 kW. In just five minutes, enough power can be charged to achieve an additional range of around 100 kilometers.

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.

The last in a big family of show cars…

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). This last car we photographed on the last Brussels Car Salon, and we will soon let you enjoy the photos, and tell a bit more about that exceptional car too…

Hans Knol ten Bensel