by Maextro Prepares a Luxury SUV to Challenge the Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Chinese brand Maextro, backed by Huawei, continues its expansion into the ultra-luxury segment. Following the success of the S800 sedan, which sold over 17,000 units, the company is preparing a new SUV set to become a direct competitor to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and other most expensive cars in the world.
Patent images from China suggest that the new model is largely based on the successful Maextro S800 sedan, which competes with the Rolls-Royce Ghost. This aligns with the automaker’s plans to expand its lineup with six new models, including a minivan and this SUV, which is rumored to be named the X800.
Bold and Extravagant Design
The new SUV impresses with its dimensions — over 5.5 meters in length. It features a two-tone paint job, rose gold accents, and a massive profile. The front lacks a traditional grille, instead dominated by C-shaped headlights and two-layer daytime running lights. The main lighting units have two-megapixel “Galaxy” pixel elements that glow with a celestial pattern.
The lower part of the front bumper features a rose gold mesh, and a central decorative insert sits on the hood. A LiDAR device is mounted on the roof, resembling a taxi. The side profile is distinguished by large polished wheels, flush door handles, and massive rear pillars. The rear of the car is more restrained: a thin full-width LED taillight is intersected by a rose gold insert.
Cabin Filled with Screens
The interior of the new SUV will likely borrow heavily from the S800 sedan. It is expected to have three displays (for the driver, infotainment, and passenger) in a single panel, running on Huawei’s HarmonyOS. A large augmented reality heads-up display should also be standard.
The celestial lighting theme will continue inside: the panoramic roof will diffuse constellations of lights. Leather, chrome, and crystal trims are expected, along with a wide choice of color combinations and ambient lighting throughout the cabin. The audio system will feature at least 43 speakers, and the rear seats will have a zero-gravity function and an entertainment system with a foldable TV.
Electric and Hybrid Versions
The new model is expected to receive both plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains. The hybrid version will use a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine solely as a generator. The dual-motor setup will produce 523 horsepower, while the triple-motor setup will produce 852 horsepower. The hybrid’s battery will have a capacity of at least 65 kWh.
The fully electric version will have 523 horsepower and a 95 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 700 km on the CLTC cycle. Fast charging will allow the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in 12 minutes.
Competitors and Launch
The list of competitors for the new model is vast: from the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, and Mercedes-Maybach GLS to the Range Rover, Genesis GV90, Zeekr 9X, and BYD Yangwang U8. For now, the car will remain focused on the Chinese market, so its arrival in the US is not expected anytime soon. Production is handled by JAC Motors, with an official launch planned for the coming months.
The price will likely be higher than that of the S800 sedan, which costs from 708,000 yuan (about $104,000) to 1,180,000 yuan ($173,000) in its top trim. For comparison, the Rolls-Royce Ghost in China costs 5,030,000 yuan ($738,600), almost double its price in the US. This price gap is key to the S800’s success in the domestic market, where it became the best-selling luxury model priced above 700,000 yuan, surpassing the Maybach, Mercedes S-Class, and Porsche Panamera.
Even a starting price of $120,000 would be lower than the BMW iX (746,900 yuan) and X7 (928,000 yuan), let alone the Cullinan, which costs over 7.5 million yuan (over $1 million) in China due to high taxes. Thus, buyers will face a choice: a genuine car from Rolls-Royce or an ambitious Chinese startup offering a similar level of luxury for significantly less money.
This move by Maextro demonstrates the growing confidence of Chinese brands in the ultra-luxury segment. The success of the S800 has shown that buyers are willing to choose technologically rich cars at competitive prices, even if they lack the history of European giants. The new X800 SUV will be another serious challenge to traditional market players, offering a combination of luxurious design, advanced technology, and powerful electrified powertrains. It remains to be seen whether this strategy can ensure long-term success on a global level.
