Huawei reveals official photos of its luxo barge Maextro S800

Huawei's Maextro S800 is a behemoth of an electric sedan that has the entire Chinese automotive world excited even before its official launch. Developed as a joint venture between tech giant Huawei and automaker JAC, the S800 is the first offering from the premium Maextro brand, and it's clearly aiming to disrupt the established order.

At a staggering 215.7 inches in length, the S800 dwarfs most of its competitors, claiming the title of the largest EV sedan in China. It is longer than the Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class. The BMW i7 is nearly 10 cm shorter, and the Mercedes EQS is an entire class lower.

The S800 will come in both battery and EREV versions. The BEV has three electric motors, delivering a combined output of 852 horsepower. The EREV version, equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine as a range extender and three electric motors, delivers an astounding 1,006 horsepower.

The EREV version uses a gasoline engine solely as a generator, powering the electric motors and eliminating the need for frequent charging stops. This setup provides an all-electric range of up to 231 miles based on the CLTC standard, along with the flexibility of gasoline for longer journeys.

Huawei is also flexing its technological muscle with the S800's autonomous capabilities. A recent video released by the company showcases the car's ability to locate an EV charger, park itself, and initiate the charging process using a robotic arm, all without human intervention. Truth be told, Tesla did show similar tech many years ago, but as its "fully autonomous" driving, the idea never materialized.

The official launch date remains under wraps for now, but CarNewsChina anticipates a second-quarter release. Pricing is expected to fall between RMB 1 and 1.5 million ($136,000 to $205,000), placing it squarely in competition with luxury EVs like the Nio ET9.

Via