The Chinese Recipe for Offering a Rolls-Royce Equivalent at the Price of a Sedan
This page is translated from the original post "La recette chinoise pour proposer l’équivalent d’une Rolls-Royce au prix d’une berline" in French.
- 24/02/2025 15:15
After revolutionizing the mass-market automotive industry, the Chinese are now targeting the luxury sector with the Maextro S800
Chinese manufacturers have conquered the affordable car market with an unbeatable recipe: an unmatched equipment-to-price ratio. The worm is now in the fruit, and all the giants of the Middle Kingdom are shifting their focus toward the luxury segment. The Maextro S800 electric sedan, unveiled this week, is the perfect example. Presented as a direct rival to the Rolls-Royce Spectre, it combines cutting-edge technology with a competitive price.
The Maextro S800, developed through a joint venture between Huawei and JAC Motors, offers an impressive design and remarkable innovations. It measures 5.48 meters in length, delivers up to 852 horsepower (635 kW), and is priced between 1 and 1.5 million yuan, which is less than 200,000 euros — significantly lower than European models. For comparison, a Mercedes-Maybach S 580 costs €206,351 excluding options, but for that price, you only get 526 thermal horsepower.
The vehicle’s embedded technology truly sets the Maextro apart. The sedan is available in electric (BEV) and extended-range (EREV) versions for high-mileage drivers. The EREV variant offers over 1,000 km of range and uses an 800V high-voltage system, enabling ultra-fast charging: just 10.5 minutes to go from 10% to 80%. Among its other features, it has 32 sensors, including LiDARs, for advanced autonomous driving and enhanced safety.
Huawei brings its expertise with systems such as ADS (environmental analysis), DATS (adaptive torque management), and Xmotion (chassis control). Thanks to features like its 4-wheel steering, active suspension, and even a “crab walk” lateral movement mode, the S800 offers exceptional maneuverability despite its large size.
Finally, the Maextro S800 does not neglect comfort, outfitted with features that can hold their own against any European flagship. With such an excellent quality/price ratio, Chinese brands like Maextro are demonstrating their ambition to disrupt the luxury automotive giants. The only thing that might save Europe? It’s not very attractive!
READ ALSO: After daring Apple, Huawei targets Tesla!
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