The Appealing Aesthetics and Affordable Pricing of Rolls-Royce Attracting Chinese Buyers to This Sedan | Carscoops

      Huawei’s new Maextro S800 comes with both all-electric and range-extended powertrains, significantly underpricing the foreign rivals.

      Within just a week, Maextro S800 received 3,600 orders, including 1,600 within the first 24 hours.

      The starting price for the base model is a mere $98,000, which is nearly half the cost of a Maybach in China.

      The premium model generates 852 horsepower through a tri-motor range-extended hybrid system.

      Affordable luxury is no longer an oxymoron, especially in China, where local manufacturers are proving capable of competing with European titans. A prime example is the Maextro S800, a full-size luxury sedan that incorporates design elements from both Mercedes-Maybach and predominantly Rolls-Royce, all while remaining accessible in price. This vehicle is the product of a collaboration between JAC and Huawei and is already making waves in the domestic market.

      The S800's styling heavily draws from its luxurious European influences, making it aspire to be a high-end cruiser. This approach seems to be yielding results, as it received 3,600 orders within its first week; around 1,600 of those orders were placed in the first 24 hours, increasing to 2,100 by the second day.

      A significant aspect of the S800's attractiveness is its pricing. The base model is priced at 708,000 yuan, equivalent to approximately $98,600 based on current exchange rates. For those desiring increased luxury, the flagship version starts at 1,018,000 yuan ($141,600).

      Although still a substantial investment, the price is considerably lower than the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which begins at 1,468,000 yuan ($204,600) before any extras. When compared to a Rolls-Royce, the Ghost starts around 4.2 million yuan, or about $585,000, placing the S800 in a vastly different pricing category.

      Chinese consumers appear to be getting excellent value for their investment. The S800 is particularly spacious, measuring 5,480 mm (215.7 inches) in length, 2,000 mm (78.7 inches) in width, and standing at 1,536 mm (60.5 inches) high with a 3,370 mm (132.7-inch) wheelbase, similar to an S-Class. However, while the Mercedes design is relatively subtle, the S800 makes a more striking statement on the road.

      Technologically Advanced Interior with Luxurious Options

      The S800’s interior includes a digital gauge cluster, a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, and a 16-inch display for passengers. It is equipped with a wide head-up display, two wireless smartphone charging pads, and a remarkable audio system with 43 speakers, as reported by Autohome. Maextro offers the S800 as either a four-seater with captain’s chairs in the rear, or a more standard five-seater configuration.

      Various Powertrain Options, Including an 852 HP Variant

      The S800 is available as both a fully electric vehicle and with a range extender. The electric version is powered by a 95 kWh battery and dual motors that produce 523 horsepower. The range-extended version introduces a 1.5-liter engine that functions solely as a generator, in conjunction with a 65 kWh battery and the same dual-motor setup that provides 523 hp. For those who believe more power is just enough, there is also a tri-motor EREV option producing 852 horsepower.