Daimler has officially lifted the veil off its latest concept. Debuting at the Beijing Auto Show this week, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury concept showcases a new ultra-high-end crossover from the German automaker. 

The Vision Ultimate Luxury sits high like an SUV. But instead of a wagon body-style t adopts a three-box form. So it has a conventional trunk like a sedan, not the liftgate that you’d find most SUVs. Much bigger: At 5260 millimeters long, 2110 mm wide, and 1764 mm tall, the concept is massive. Longer and wider than the current GLS, but sitting shorter to the road.


Mercedes has applied signature Maybach design elements. The narrow headlights flank a finely slatted grille. Like the one we first saw on the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 coupe concept. The 24-inch wheels look suitably oversized. The bodywork is done up in several coats of red metallic for a deeply lustrous finish. And it’s trimmed with more chrome than a motorcycle rally.

Inside it looks as luxurious as you’d expect, in an entirely modern way, with eye-catching trim that could only be found in a concept. The cabin is done up all in white and rose gold, with ebony wood trim and twin freestanding 12.3-inch displays. A low dashboard lends a feeling of openness, aided by the enormous glass panels in the roof. Despite its large form, Mercedes has only fitted four seats. But those free-floating thrones look more opulent than anything this side of a private jet. Which is only fitting, because the crossover is designed to be driven by chauffeur, not by its owner.


Rather than fitting the big V8 or V12 engines available in the Maybach S-Class, the concept is driven by a quartet of electric motors. Together they produce a massive 750 hp. The 80 kWh battery under the floor gives it a range of over 200 miles. (That’s by US standards, or 500 kilometers on the new European cycle.) 

No word on acceleration, but it’s said to be capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. And with a 350 kW charging capacity, it can charge up for a 100-kilometer trip in just five minutes. It even incorporates wireless inductive charging for added convenience. Because who wants to have to actually plug in their plug-in, or even have their driver do it for them?