Mercedes-Maybach unveils first all-electric model in the EQS 680 SUV, complete with its own fridge
Today, Mercedes-Maybach has unveiled the ultra-lux EQS 680 SUV – a souped-up version of the existing Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV that “combines technical perfection with Maybach exclusivity.” Aside from having more Maybach logos than we’ve ever seen integrated into a single-vehicle design, the all-electric Mercedes SUV has some truly unique, forward-thinking features, both inside and out, that you’ve got to see.
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Maybach finally brings an electric to market
Mercedes-Maybach is a current sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz whose history in autos dates all the way back to the early 1900s. Through its evolution over the last century-plus, the Maybach name is one currently associated with the utmost luxury and unique design features only the most affluent of customers can unlock.
The sub-brand has gained popularity through its upscale version of the Mercedes S-Class and a couple of other combustion models but has been flirting with the idea of luxury electric vehicles since 2016. That began with the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 – a 2+2 electric coupé concept with 200 miles of range. Maybach followed up with an electric SUV concept in 2018 called the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury.
Parent company Mercedes Group has done a decent job in embracing electrification so far and is rolling out an ever-growing lineup of EQ brand EVs, including the EQE SUV we recently drove in Portugal. During that time abroad, we also got our first peek behind the curtain at the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV – which was recently teased ahead of its official public debut today.
There’s a lot to explore here, so let’s start with some images and break down what makes this luxury electric Maybach truly special.
EQS SUV arrives as the first electric Mercedes-Maybach
If you’ve read about our drives in the Mercedes EQS or EQE SUVs or have experienced the tech yourself, you’re likely aware that the legacy automaker is delivering some of the best EVs in the business right now, especially in terms of their interior cockpits and passenger accommodations.
With the EQS 680, Maybach has taken Mercedes-Benz’s electric SUV architecture and taken it to another echelon inside and out. Per Ola Källenius, chair of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz Group:
Mercedes-Maybach customers expect the extraordinary, and we aim to exceed their high expectations. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV unites our ambition to lead in digital and electric with our focus on the luxury segment. The very first all-electric vehicle from Mercedes-Maybach complements the best technologies from Mercedes-Benz with the extra comfort and individual details that are only available from Mercedes-Maybach.
Beginning with the exterior, you’ll notice the recognizable star hood ornament, which has been placed upright like previous combustion Mercedes models. The automaker’s EQ line has abandoned the upright ornament for the sake of aerodynamics, so this is more a nod to previous luxury designs synonymous with the Maybach name.
Moving down the hood, you’ll spy a unique radiator grille that is really more for show than function. As a result, the front end looks more like a traditional Mercedes-Maybach but with a closed-design twist for an all-electric age.
The chrome running down the grille compliments plenty of shiny trim around the SUV’s exterior, from its pillars to its handles, along its running boards, and even around the side bumper where dozens of not-so-discreet Maybach emblems can be found. When approaching the electric SUV, the driver gets their own special light show (seen above), which is complemented by an animated pattern of the Maybach emblem projected from all four doors (see below).
We tried to tally how many Maybach emblems were integrated into this electric SUV but lost count well into the thirties. There are A LOT. Also, viewing the exterior, you’ll notice the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV includes exclusive two-tone paint with an ornamental pinstripe. The designers’ shared exteriors will come in five different color combinations or can be one solid color if requested.
I made a comment about all the chrome, and one of the designers told me that Maybach was exploring a blacked-out version of the EQS 680 SUV to please younger consumers who may find all the chrome a little gaudy. No further comments from the millennial writer…
The exterior of the EQS 680 is certainly unique, but you truly don’t grasp that this electric SUV is a Maybach until you get inside. Check it out.
The interior of the EQS 680 is where Maybach truly shines
Given the two-tone paint and the decision to integrate chrome trim, the exterior of the freshly debuted electric Mercedes-Maybach SUV may not be for everyone. The interior, however, might be. Like much of the SUV’s design as a whole, Maybach has taken Mercedes’ existing technology and upgraded it.
For example, the standard MBUX Hyperscreen is present in the EV’s cockpit but has been integrated with Mercedes-Maybach-specific start-up animations on all three digital displays, in addition to an overall deep blue visual theme unique to this model. The electric SUV also has its own “Maybach” display style in addition to “understated” and “sport.”
Rear passengers each have their own 11.6-inch displays on the front seat backrests in addition to an MBUX rear tablet that can be used outside the EV. Maybach offers three different options of sustainably processed Nappa Leather tanned using vegetables throughout the interior, including the rear reclining seats that include massaging functions and a “feel-good atmosphere and cocooning effect for all senses.”
Part of that immersive experience includes Dolby Atmos sound throughout the cabin, which is a huge selling point, in my opinion. The system consists of 15 different speakers, including two 3D speakers in the headliner. The Maybach team demoed jungle sounds for us, and it genuinely felt like we were in a movie theater. To give it the true test, however, we had to blast “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, followed, of course, by “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-Tang Clan. The sound quality was unreal, and you could hear the vibrations from outside the SUV, just like a theater. I could have sat there for hours, vibing.
Moving on, as you’ll notice from the images above, the floating front center console, complete with wooden trim, flows back around the front seat backs and up through the rear console. That rear design also houses what else but silver-plated champagne flutes and access to a trunk fridge.
The fridge takes up a lot of space in the trunk, but the Maybach team demonstrated how easily it can be removed and stored using one hand. I’m not sure where you would keep your EV’s refrigerator when you’re not using it, but I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that issue any time soon.
Last but not least, Mercedes-Maybach has also improved the performance of the electric SUV for the new 680 version. Here are some of the specs future owners can expect to see standard on the EV:
| EQS 680 SUV | |
| Drive configuration | 4MATIC AWD |
| Powertrain | Dual motor |
| Output | 484 kW (649 hp) |
| Torque | 700 ft-lb |
| Acceleration (0-60 mph) | 4.1 seconds |
| Top speed | 130 mph |
| Range (provisional WLTP) | up to 600 km (373 miles) |
| Onboard charger | 9.6 kW |
| AC Charge time (0-100%) | 12.75 hours |
| DC fast charging max | 200 kW |
| DC charging (10-80%) | 31 minutes |
| Range after 15 mins DCFC | up to 220 km (137 mi) (WLTP) |
| Length / width (w/o mirrors) / height | 201.7″ / 80.1″ / 67.9″ |
| Wheelbase | 126.4” |
| Turning radius (rear-axle steering 10°) | 36.1″ |
| Cargo capacity | 15.3 cubic-feet |
| Combined power consumption (provisional values) |
24.4-22.5 kWh/100 km |
One minor detail Mercedes-Maybach has failed to mention in regard to its ultra-lux electric SUV is pricing. Given some of its top-tier design features, we’d imagine this one is going to cost quite a bit, but we haven’t gotten those official numbers yet.
A representative for Mercedes-Benz told us pricing will be reveal closer to the launch of the electric Maybach this coming fall.
Whether you’re a fan or not, the Maybach EQS 680 SUV is certainly something to see. Be sure to check out a closer look in the video below.
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Environment
EcoFlow members can save up to 65% on power stations while supporting disaster relief during the 2025 Member’s Festival
Portable power station specialist EcoFlow is kicking off its third annual Member’s Festival this month and is offering a unique new rewards program to those who become EcoFlow members. The 2025 EcoFlow Member’s Festival will offer savings of up to 65% for its participating customers, and a portion of those funds will be allocated toward rescue power solutions for communities around the globe through the company’s “Power for All” fund.
EcoFlow remains one of the industry leaders in portable power solutions and continues to trek forward in its vision to power a new tech-driven, eco-conscious future. Per its website:
Our mission from day one is to provide smart and eco-friendly energy solutions for individuals, families, and society at large. We are, were, and will continue to be a reliable and trusted energy companion for users around the world.
To achieve such goals, EcoFlow has continued to expand its portfolio of sustainable energy solutions to its community members, including portable power stations, solar generators, and mountable solar panels. While EcoFlow is doing plenty to support its growing customer base, it has expanded its reach by giving back to disaster-affected communities by helping bolster global disaster response efforts the best way it knows how– with portable power solutions.
EcoFlow and its members look to provide “Power for All”
Since 2023, EcoFlow has collaborated with organizations worldwide as part of its “Power for All” mission. This initiative aims to ensure access to reliable and timely power to disaster-affected communities across the globe, including rescue agencies, affected hospitals, and shelters, to support rescue and recovery efforts.
This fund most recently provided aid for communities affected by the recent Los Angeles wildfires, assistance to the Special Forces Charitable Trust (SFCT) in North Carolina following severe hurricanes, and support for non-profits engaged in hurricane preparedness in Florida and the Gulf Coast. Per Jodi Burns, CEO of the Special Forces Charitable Trust:
In the wake of devastating storms in Western North Carolina, reliable power was a critical need for the families we serve. Thanks to EcoFlow’s generous donation of generators, we were able to provide immediate relief, ensuring these families and their communities had access to power when they needed it most. We are so impressed with EcoFlow’s commitment to disaster response through their ‘Power for All’ program. It has made a tangible impact, and we are deeply grateful for their support and partnership in helping these families recover and rebuild.
In 2024, the US experienced 27 weather and climate events, each causing losses exceeding $1 billion, marking the second-highest annual total on record, according to National Centers for Environmental Information. The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters underscore the critical need for reliable and timely power solutions during emergencies, much like EcoFlow and its members are helping provide through the “Power For All” initiative.
To support new and existing EcoFlow members, the company is celebrating its third annual Member’s Festival throughout April to offer a do-not-miss discount on its products and donate a portion of all sales to the “Power for All” fund to provide rescue power to those in need in the future. Learn how it all works below.
Save big and give back during the 2025 Member’s Festival
As of April 1st, you can now sign up to become an EcoFlow member to participate in the company’s exclusive 2025 Member Festival.
As a member, you can earn “EcoFlow Power Points” by completing tasks like registration, referrals, and product purchases and tracking your individual efforts toward disaster preparedness and recovery.
Beginning April 4, EcoFlow members will also be able to take advantage of exclusive discounts of up to 65% off select portable power stations, including the DELTA Pro Ultra, DELTA Pro 3, DELTA 2 Max, DELTA 3 Plus, RIVER 3 Plus, and more. However, these sale prices only last through April 25, so you’ll want to move quickly!
Click here to learn more about EcoFlow’s “Power for All” campaign. To register for EcoFlow’s 2025 Member Festival in the US, visit the EcoFlow website. To register as a member in Canada, visit here.
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Tesla is losing another top talent: its long-time head of software, David Lau, has reportedly told co-workers that he is exiting the automaker.
Tesla changed how the entire auto industry looks at software.
Before Tesla, it was an afterthought; user interfaces were rudimentary, and you had to go to a dealership to get a software update on your systems.
When Tesla launched the Model S in 2012, it all changed. Your car would get better through software updates like your phone, the large center display was responsive with a UI that actually made sense and was closer to an iPad experience than a car.
Tesla also integrated its software into its retail experience, service, and manufacturing.
David Lau deserves a lot of the credit for that.
He joined Tesla in 2012 as a senior manager of firmware engineering and quickly rose through the ranks. By 2014, he was promoted to director of firmware engineering and system integration, and in 2017, he became Vice President of software.
Lau listed the responsibilities of his team on his LinkedIn:
- Vehicle Software:
- Firmware for the powertrain, traction/stability control, HV electronics, battery management, and body control systems
- UI software and underlying Embedded Linux platforms
- Navigation and routing
- iOS and Android Mobile apps
- Distributed Systems:
- Server-side software and infrastructure that provides telemetry, diagnostics, over-the-air updates, and configuration/lifecycle management
- Data engineering and analytics platforms that power technical and business insights for an increasingly diverse set of customers across the company
- Diagnostic tools and fleet management, Manufacturing and Automation:
- Automation controls (PLC, robot)
- Server-side manufacturing execution systems that power all of Tesla’s production operations
- Product Security and Red Team for software, services, and systems across Tesla
Bloomberg reported today that Lau told his team he is leaving Tesla. The report didn’t include reasons for his stepping down.
Electrek’s Take
Twelve years at any company is a great run. At Tesla, it’s heroic. Congrats, David, on a great run. You undoubtedly had a significant impact on Tesla and software advancements in the broader auto industry.
He is another significant loss for Tesla, which has been losing a lot of top talent following a big wave of layoffs around this time last year.
I wonder who will take over. Michael Rizkalla, senior director of software engineering and vehicle firmware, is one of the most senior software engineers after Lau. He has been at Tesla for 7 years, and Tesla likes to promote within rather than hire outsiders.
There are also a lot of senior software execs working on AI at Tesla. Musk has been favoring them lately and he could fold Lau’s responsibilities under them.
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Kia’s electric SUVs are taking over. The EV3 is the best-selling retail EV in the UK this year, giving Kia its strongest sales start since it arrived 34 years ago. And it’s not just in the UK. Kia just had its best first quarter globally since it started selling cars in 1962.
Kia EV3 is the best-selling EV in the UK through March
In March, Kia sold a record nearly 20,000 vehicles in the UK, making it the fourth best-selling brand. It was also the second top-seller of electrified vehicles (EVs, PHEVs, and HEVs), accounting for over 55% of sales.
The EV3 remained the best-selling retail EV in the UK last month. Including the EV6, three-row EV9, and Niro EV, electric vehicles represented 21% of Kia’s UK sales in March.
Kia said the EV3 “started with a bang” in January, darting out as the UK’s most popular EV in retail sales. Through March, Kia’s electric SUV has held on to the crown. With the EV3 rolling out, Kia sold over 7,000 electric cars through March, nearly 50% more than in Q1 2024.
The EV3 was the best-selling retail EV in the UK in the first quarter and the fourth best-selling EV overall, including commercial vehicles.
Starting at £33,005 ($42,500), Kia said it’s the “brand’s most affordable EV yet.” It’s available with two battery packs, 58.3 kWh or 81.48 kWh, good for 430 km (270 miles) and 599 km (375 miles) of WLTP range, respectively.
With new EVs on the way, this could be just the start. Kia is launching several new EVs in the UK this year, including the EV4 sedan (and hatchback) and EV5 SUV. It also confirmed that the first PV5 electric vans will be delivered to customers by the end of the year.
Electrek’s Take
Globally, Kia sold a record 772,351 vehicles in the first quarter, its best since it started selling cars in 1962. With the new EV4, the brand’s first electric sedan and hatchback, launching this year, Kia looks to build on its momentum in 2025.
Kia has also made it very clear that it wants to be a global leader in the electric van market with its new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business, starting with the PV5 later this year.
Earlier today, we learned Kia’s midsize electric SUV, the EV5, is the fourth best-selling EV in Australia through March, outselling every BYD vehicle (at least for now). The EV5 is rolling out to new markets this year, including Canada, the UK, South Korea, and Mexico. However, it will not arrive in the US.
For those in the US, there are still a few Kia EVs to look forward to. Kia is launching the EV4 globally, including in the US, later this year. Although no date has been set, Kia confirmed the EV3 is also coming. It’s expected to arrive in mid-2026.
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