Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV Night Series: Bruce Wayne is possibly a fan

► New Night Series for Maybach’s first EV
► 649bhp, 0-62mph in 4.4sec
► Up to 373 miles of range

For all you billionaires that want to protect the environment, or at least appear that you are, this here is the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV 680, the brand’s first all-electric car. Like other modern day Maybachs, the EQS SUV takes the regular model and stuffs it full of leather, wood and every conceivable luxury imaginable – and now it’s taking the lead on the brand’s new-for-2023 Night Series line-up.

So you don’t get confused with a mere millionaire in their regular EQS SUV, you already get plenty of Maybach-specific styling touches on the outside, alongside the kind of options list that really rams the point home. But if you already thought Maybach was among the least subtle ways to signify automotive wealth, you really haven’t seen anything yet…

What’s special about the Mercedes-Maybach Night Series models?

Going for a kind of monochrome theme hasn’t stopped Maybach ramping up the, well, kitsch. There are Night Series variants of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach GLS in addition to the EQS Night Series, and they all – uh – benefit from a kind of Louis Vuitton logo-overload and a lot of dark chrome, plus rose gold detailing.

The wheel trims are a particular triumph, we feel. You don’t have to have the two-tone Mojave silver over black paint job – plain white and black variants are available, too, though plain in this instance probably does a disservice to depth of the finish – but surely you’d be missing the point if you avoid it.

On the inside there is sumptuous black or white leather upholstery, with notable accents including open-pore herringbone patterns, solid metal fixtures and mother-of-pearl effects in eye-catching places.

And since you can’t actually wear your car inside the restaurant, Mercedes-Maybach is also planning a selection of Night Series accessories, including bags, trainers and ‘eyewear’. Carry on.

What makes the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV go?

As we’ve come to expect from Maybach, you certainly get plenty of power for your money. Obviously a V8 or V12 was off the table, so instead the 680 gets an electric motor for each axle. Total output is 649bhp and a ludicrous 700Ib ft of torque. That’s enough to get this 5.1-meter-long behemoth from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds.

If you were expecting punchier performance, bear in mind that the regular EQS SUV weighs over 2800kg, with the plusher Maybach likely to eclipse this by some margin. Even so, it’ll manage up to 373 miles on a single charge according to Mercedes, although official WLTP figures are yet to be released.

Although not initially announced, we’d expect it to share the same 108kWh battery as the regular EQS SUV. What we can say is that a 10-80% charge takes only 31 minutes on a 500A rapid charger. If you’ve already got a three-phase supply at home for your swimming pool and sauna, a 22kW AC top-up takes 10 hours.

Efficiency assists

To get such a heavy, powerful thing to cover nearly 400 miles on a charge requires more than just a big battery. Careful work on the aerodynamics brings a CD of 0.29, with a front motor that can disconnect drive when not needed bringing a 5% improvement in efficiency.

A standard heat pump brings a further 10% boost, while the air suspension can lower at speed to improve aerodynamics. Other helpful techy bits include standard 4.5 degree rear-wheel steer or an optional 10 degree system than knocks nearly a meter from the turning circle.

Beaten with the Maybach stick

Although the silhouette is very similar to the EQS SUV, there’s plenty of Maybach jewellery. There’s a specific ‘grille’ with vertical chrome strips and ‘Maybach’ written across the top, Maybach logos in the mesh of the air intakes, an old-school freestanding three-pointed star on the bonnet and fancy LED headlights with a lightbar joining them.

Stroll round to the side and your eye is drawn to the chrome-plated window surrounds, yet more Maybach emblems, anodised aluminium running boards and giant 21- or 22in alloy wheels in some distinctly unsporting styles. Move to the rear and you’re once again reminded that this is a Maybach with more chrome and badging, plus some 3D-effect rear lights.

If all that isn’t flashy enough for you, there’s always the option of two-tone paint separated by a hand-painted (read slightly wobbly) pinstripe running the length of the car.

An executive lounge

While the regular EQS SUV comes as standard with seven seats, the Maybach has just five, with a four-seater layout optional. All are wrapped in supple Nappa leather, with the fronts and outer rears electrically adjustable, heated, cooled and have a massage function. This even extends to a calf massage from the optional leg rest when you’ve got the passenger side rear seat in full recline, while a pair of 11.6-inch screens on the backrests of the front seats provide entertainment.

That’s only the start, with a First-Class Rear package extending the front centre console through to between the rear seats. Heated and cooled cupholders feature, along with four fast charging USB-C ports and a pair of HDMI inputs so your VIPs can keep their devices topped up and playing through the rear screens.

Those up front get Mercedes’ giant Hyperscreen setup with a 12.3-inch driver’s display, identically sized passenger side touchscreen and a vast 17.7-inch central touchscreen. Front and rear seat passengers can view or control music, change the ambiance or seat functions and even send destinations to the sat nav.

What it actually like in person?

You’re certainly not just paying more money for fewer seats and more screens. Poking around the Maybach EQS SUV on the recent Mercedes EQE SUV launch highlights the supple leather that seems to wrap every surface that isn’t wood or a digital display. This extends to the headliner, roof pillars and door cards, too.

The seats are properly comfortable with enough adjustment to go from upright and ready to work to reclined and falling asleep using the door controls or one of the myriad touchscreens. We didn’t get to experience the Dolby Atmos-enhanced Burmester 4D surround sound system, although our experience with the regular EQS suggests it should be spectacular.

Optional silver plated champagne flutes automatically clip into and release from our First-Class Rear-equipped car’s centre console, and are supplied by a boot-mounted fridge that’s accessible through a ski/booze hatch.

All this does mean the practicality of the EQS SUV is, to be honest, ruined. That fridge takes up a lot of boot and while it is removable, the sound deadening parcel shelf is not. Still, it’s not likle you can fold the rear seats flat anyway, at least not in this example.

Are there any rivals?

This is a significantly more expensive way to travel than the BMW iX and Audi Q8 E-Tron, so maybe think of the Maybach EQS SUV as an alternative to the electric Rolls Royce Spectre.