MOTOR-EV
Chinese products have come a long way in design, technology, quality, and luxury over the past few decades. So much so that the latest brand to emerge from the People’s Republic of China – Maextro – believes it can compete with Europe’s most luxurious brands, including Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Maybach. Its first model, the S800, promises similar luxury at a fraction of the price.
Far from being a bold startup, the newly formed Maextro brand is a joint venture between tech giant Huawei and Chinese automaker JAC. It’s also the fourth and most ambitious member of Huawei’s HIMA project, taking its place above the Stelato (Huawei/BAIC), Luxeed (Huawei/Chery), and AITO (Huawei/Series) collaborations.
As a prototype for the emerging brand, the Maextro S800 was revealed ahead of its market launch in spring 2025. The electric sedan sticks to a tried-and-tested luxury formula: a long hood, a cleanly curved roofline that flows to the rear, and a wheelbase that’s stretched out as if to prove something.
Familiar Modern Design
While China’s auto industry has undoubtedly advanced in design over the years, the Maextro S800 stumbles into a familiar trap – derivative design. Rather than forging a bold new identity, it borrows generously (and not always successfully) from Europe’s luxury playbook.
Rolls-Royce inspires the disc wheels, the chrome-trimmed lower air intake looks like it came from a Bentley, and the two-tone exterior treatment is reminiscent of Maybach. As for the rear, its slightly sloping shape is uncomfortably reminiscent of a Porsche Panamera. Fortunately, the S800 manages to get some original touches, including unique star-patterned door handles and intricately designed LED lighting, but these aren’t quite enough to detract from its patchwork aesthetic.
Size matters, apparently
Yu Chengdong (aka Richard Yu), CEO of Huawei Technologies Consumer Business Group, couldn’t resist boasting that the Maextro S800 is bigger than 99.99% of cars on Chinese roads. Measuring 5,480mm long, 2,000mm wide, and 1,536mm tall, with a 3,370mm wheelbase, the S800 certainly doesn’t lack for size.
That footprint is very similar to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which has served as the benchmark for Chinese models. However, it’s 65mm shorter than a Rolls-Royce Ghost, and if you’re aiming for Phantom levels of luxury, you’ll need 502mm to get there.
A glimpse inside
The interior, revealed in a single teaser image, hints at luxury but leaves much to the imagination. A “starry sky” roof, a feature borrowed from Rolls-Royce’s greatest hits, creates a celestial ambience, while the high-quality materials used in the upholstery are meant to enhance the cabin’s appeal.
The rear seats hint at a four-seat layout, catering to those who prefer to be chauffeured rather than driven themselves. And since this is a Huawei-backed project, you can expect the latest tech, including AI-powered assistance and Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities.
The Maextro S800, built on Huawei’s Tuling intelligent architecture, is still tight-lipped about the specifications of the full electric powertrain. Those details will be revealed closer to the car’s market launch in spring 2025.
Pricing
However, one thing is clear: this EV is priced competitively. Pre-orders in China are now open for a 20,000 yen ($2,800) deposit, with the final price expected to be between 1-1.5 million yen ($137,800-$206,700). That puts the S800 in direct competition with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i7 in the luxury electric sedan segment.
English