Exclusive version of the flagship sedan
The joint venture between Huawei and JAC, known as Maextro, has decided to consolidate its market success by introducing a special version of its flagship sedan. The new Maextro S800 Grand Design features unique stylistic solutions and even more advanced technologies, bringing the car closer to the level of a Rolls-Royce but at nearly half the price.
Design and exterior
The main visual highlight is the gold accents that adorn the emblem on the hood, the wheel rims, decorative stripes, the Maextro inscription, and the rear badges. The body has a new two-tone paint job, combining a deep blue-green shade with light silver.
Interior and technology
Although there are no official photos of the cabin yet, it is expected to feature many gold elements inside. The car has a length of 5,480 mm and a wheelbase of 3,370 mm, allowing for a spacious four-seat interior focused on the comfort of rear passengers. The standard S800 version already includes a three-screen system, zero-gravity seats, a retractable laser projection screen, and a Huawei audio system with 43 speakers.
Advanced driver assistance systems
The Grand Design package goes beyond mere cosmetics. It includes a roof-mounted lidar with a resolution of 896 lines and a new camera integrated into the B-pillar. This equipment indicates the use of the latest Huawei Qiankun ADS 5.0 driver assistance system, which is a step forward compared to the ADS 4.1 used in current models.
Powertrains
The Maextro S800 Grand Design is offered with two types of powertrains: full electric (BEV) and range extender (EREV). The electric version uses a dual-motor all-wheel drive with 523 hp (390 kW) and a 97 kWh battery. The EREV version combines a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with three electric motors and a smaller 63 kWh battery.
Price and market positioning
The Maextro S800 Grand Design is expected to arrive at Chinese dealerships in June. Official prices will be announced closer to that date, but according to preliminary statements by Richard Yu, Executive Director of Huawei, the cost will be around 2 million yuan (over $294,000). This is significantly more expensive than the standard S800, which starts at 708,000 yuan ($104,000), but still favorable compared to the Rolls-Royce Ghost, which costs 5,030,000 yuan ($738,600).
Success of the standard model
The release of the ultra-premium version comes amid the continued success of the standard Maextro S800. This car has been the best-selling model in China in the category of vehicles over 700,000 yuan ($102,800) for eight consecutive months, with total deliveries already exceeding 17,000 units.
This move by Maextro demonstrates how Chinese manufacturers, by partnering with technology giants, are not merely copying Western luxury brands but are creating their own niche, offering a unique combination of luxury and advanced technology at a more accessible price. The success of the standard S800 suggests that the market is ready to embrace such offerings, and the Grand Design could be the next step in strengthening the brand’s position in the ultra-premium segment, challenging established players like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, especially in the Chinese market, where demand for luxury electric vehicles continues to grow.