On November 26, 2024, Huawei, in collaboration with Chinese automaker JAC Group, officially unveiled the Maextro S800, an all-electric ultra-luxury sedan designed to challenge the likes of Rolls-Royce, Maybach, and Bentley. This debut, held alongside the Huawei Mate 70 series smartphone launch in China, marks a significant milestone for Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) and its ambitious foray into the premium automotive market. With pre-orders now open and a market launch slated for Spring 2025, the Maextro S800 promises to blend cutting-edge technology with opulent design, positioning itself as a formidable contender in the global luxury EV segment.
A Grand Design with a Familiar Yet Unique Aesthetic
The Maextro S800 is an imposing vehicle, measuring 5,480 mm (215.7 inches) in length, 2,000 mm (78.7 inches) in width, and 1,536 mm (60.5 inches) in height, with a wheelbase stretching 3,370 mm (132.7 inches). Huawei’s Richard Yu, Chairman of the Intelligent Automotive Solutions BU, boasted that the sedan is larger than “99.99% of cars on Chinese roads,” a claim that aligns it closely with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class in size, though it falls just short of the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Its exterior design borrows heavily from European luxury icons—think Rolls-Royce-inspired disc wheels, a Maybach-esque two-tone finish, and a rear profile reminiscent of the Porsche Panamera—yet it introduces distinctive touches like star-patterned door handles and intricate LED lighting that aim to carve out its own identity.
Inside, the S800 promises a lavish experience tailored for chauffeur-driven luxury. While full interior details remain sparse, teaser images reveal a plush four-seater layout with a starry sky roof—a nod to Rolls-Royce’s iconic Starlight Headlining. The cabin is expected to leverage Huawei’s tech prowess, featuring a three-screen dashboard, advanced connectivity via the Xinghe system, and Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities powered by a 32-sensor suite, including four 192-line LiDAR units.
Power and Performance: A Technological Marvel
Built on Huawei’s Tuling Intelligent Chassis, the Maextro S800 offers both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants. The BEV version boasts a triple-motor setup delivering 635 kW (852 hp), with a 160 kW front motor and two 237.5 kW rear motors. The EREV variant ups the ante to 750 kW (1,006 hp), supplementing its electric motors with a 1.5-liter turbocharged range-extender engine. Batteries, supplied by CATL, feature NMC chemistry, and the EREV supports an 800V high-voltage system with 6C charging—capable of charging a 65 kWh battery from 10% to 80% in just 10.5 minutes at 390 kW.
The S800’s tech doesn’t stop at power. Its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) includes Huawei’s ADS road perception, Xmotion body control, and a rear-wheel steering system with up to 16 degrees of movement, enabling a tight 5.05-meter turning radius (or 3.8 meters in special mode) and a “crab walk” feature for sideways maneuvering. A video demonstration of the S800 weaving between Maybachs showcased this agility, highlighting its practicality despite its massive footprint.
Pricing and Market Positioning
Pre-orders for the Maextro S800 opened with a ¥20,000 ($2,800 USD) deposit, with final pricing expected to range between ¥1 million and ¥1.5 million ($137,800–$206,700 USD). This places it in direct competition with luxury EVs like the Nio ET9 and Mercedes-Benz EQS, though it undercuts the stratospheric prices of Rolls-Royce and Maybach models. Huawei aims to capture a new breed of luxury buyers—tech-savvy “oligarchs” who value computational supremacy alongside material opulence—while offering a compelling value proposition in China’s rapidly growing premium EV market.
A Statement of Intent
The Maextro S800 is more than just a car; it’s a declaration of Huawei’s automotive ambitions. As the flagship of the HIMA ecosystem—which includes brands like AITO, Luxeed, and Stelato—the S800 integrates Huawei’s latest innovations, from the Tuling Longxing digital platform to the Instinct Safety Network. Its unveiling has sparked both excitement and skepticism, with critics noting its derivative styling, yet the overwhelming response—over 2,000 pre-orders in two days—suggests Huawei has tapped into a potent demand.
Looking Ahead
With production set to ramp up at JAC’s new Hefei factory (capacity: 200,000 units annually, targeting 35,000 S800s initially), the Maextro S800 is poised to hit Chinese roads in May 2025. While its success against established luxury marques remains to be seen, Huawei’s blend of size, tech, and competitive pricing could redefine the segment. As the company continues to refine its automotive strategy, the S800 stands as a bold first step—one that might just park itself firmly among the elite.