Over the past few decades, Chinese automotive products have made significant strides in design, technology, quality, and luxury. The latest emerging brand, Maextro, confidently believes it can compete with Europe's most luxurious brands like Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Maybach. Its first model, the S800, promises similar luxury at a more competitive price point.
Maextro is not just a startup; it is a joint venture between tech giant Huawei and Chinese automaker JAC, and it is the fourth and most ambitious member of Huawei's HIMA project, aiming to innovate in the luxury electric vehicle sector alongside Luxeed, Stellato, and Aito. As a prototype for this emerging brand, the S800 was revealed ahead of its market launch in Spring 2025. This electric sedan is committed to providing a tested luxurious experience, featuring a long hood, a smoothly flowing curved roofline, and an extended wheelbase.
While the Chinese automotive industry has made progress in design over the years, the S800 still faces challenges in mimicking European designs. The vehicle showcases touches of Rolls Royce in its wheel design, Bentley in its chrome front bumper, and Maybach in its two-tone exterior. The rear also carries hints of the Porsche Panamera but presents its unique door handles and intricately designed LED lights.
According to Yu Chengdong, CEO of Huawei's consumer business group, the S800 is larger than 99.99% of cars on Chinese roads, measuring 5,480 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, and 1,536 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,370 mm. These dimensions are quite similar to those of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class; however, it is 65 mm shorter than the Rolls Royce Ghost.
The interior design, revealed through a teaser image, suggests luxury while leaving much to the imagination. The 'starlit sky' ceiling, inspired by Rolls Royce, creates a celestial atmosphere, while high-quality upholstery materials aim to enhance the cabin's allure. It also features four seats, equipped with AI-assisted driving systems and level 3 autonomous driving capabilities.
