Maextro S800: The Ultra-Luxury Sedan from JAC-Huawei Aiming to Top the Giants

Get ready to meet a new player in the ultra-luxury automotive game, one that didn’t come from the traditional Europe-America axis but from China—a product of an unusual and powerful alliance. The Maextro S800, born from the partnership between the veteran JAC Motors and the tech giant Huawei, is arriving to shake up the market and, who knows, maybe even steal some glances (and customers) from established brands like Mercedes-Maybach and Rolls-Royce.

This isn’t just another large sedan; it’s a statement of intent. The Maextro S800 combines JAC’s manufacturing expertise with Huawei’s technological muscle, promising a car that is not only luxurious but also incredibly smart and powerful. And the pre-sale, expected at the end of 2024 with release in 2025, is already creating buzz about what this dynamic duo has prepared.

What Makes the Maextro S800 So Special?

The Maextro S800 isn’t just another electric car; it is the realization of a bold partnership between the traditional JAC Motors and tech giant Huawei. This collaboration aims to combine the best of both worlds: JAC’s production capability and automotive platform with Huawei’s innovation in software, intelligent systems, and electrification.

Positioned to go head-to-head with titans like the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Rolls-Royce Ghost, this Chinese sedan promises to redefine what we expect from luxury on wheels. Its origins in Hefei, Anhui, and the use of the Tuling Longxing platform indicate a solid foundation for all the embedded technology.

Design That Commands Respect and Details That Surprise

Measuring 18 feet long, 6.6 feet wide, and boasting a wheelbase of over 10.8 feet, the S800 doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s an imposing sedan, with proportions that deliberately evoke Western ultra-luxury models. The design calls to mind a fluid elegance, and the two-tone body color option reinforces the sophisticated aura that Maextro seeks to project.

But the real visual differentiators lie in details that flirt with futurism without crossing into extravagance. Headlights and taillights with double LED bars that resemble the “Milky Way” give it a unique nighttime identity. Illuminated door handles are a subtle touch that elevate the experience of entering the vehicle.

Notable Visual Highlights

• Elegant and imposing design, inspired by icons.
• Two-tone body color option.
• Headlights and taillights with double LED bars (“Milky Way”).
• Illuminated exterior door handles.
• Interior roof lighting that simulates a starry sky (Rolls-Royce style).
• Bold and aerodynamic wheel design.
• Lidar sensor prominently positioned on the roof.

Step inside the S800 and the feeling is like being in a first-class lounge on wheels. The four individual-seat configuration makes it clear that the focus is on comfort and luxury for every occupant, with noble materials like high-quality leather, wood, and other exquisite finishes.

The cockpit is dominated by a continuous band housing three huge integrated screens, creating an immersive and highly functional digital environment, all orchestrated by Huawei’s advanced infotainment system. And for moments of privacy or special entertainment, a retractable screen with a projector can appear as a divider between the rows of seats, something worthy of private jets. The premium sound system, with speakers in the rear headrests, and a center console that may include a fingerprint-activated compartment complete the refined experience.

Raw Power or Smart Efficiency?

This is where Huawei shows what it’s made of with its DriveONE electric motors and control systems. The Maextro S800 offers powertrain options that cater to different needs but always with impressive figures, whether in the purely electric (BEV) version or the hybrid with range extender (EREV).

The 100% electric (BEV) version, equipped with three motors (one up front with about 215 hp and two in the rear with about 318 hp each), delivers a combined total power of approximately 852 hp (635 kW). That’s more than enough power to move this luxury “living room” with the surprising agility typical of high-performance electric vehicles.

For those seeking maximum range without range anxiety, the EREV (electric with range extender) version is the choice. In it, a 1.5-liter turbo combustion engine (~154-156 hp) acts *exclusively* as a generator to recharge the battery, not directly driving the wheels. There are EREV options with two or three electric motors, reaching combined power outputs of 523 hp or even the same 852 hp as the BEV, with some sources mentioning an even higher-performance version reaching up to 1,006 hp (750 kW). This versatility is a major advantage.

Power Specs (Main Configurations)

• BEV (3 Motors): ~852 hp, All-Wheel Drive.
• EREV (2 Motors + Generator): ~523 hp (system), All-Wheel Drive.
• EREV (3 Motors + Generator): ~852 hp (system), All-Wheel Drive.
• Generator Engine: 1.5 Turbo (~154-156 hp).

The battery technology supplied by CATL, with NMC chemistry (Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt), is one of the highlights. The BEV version features around 94–97 kWh, offering an estimated range (CLTC cycle) between 404 miles and 436 miles. The EREV version uses a smaller battery (~63–65 kWh), but its pure electric range of 169 to 231 miles is complemented by a total combined range that can reach an incredible 718 to 828 miles.

And talking about going from 10% to 80% charge in just over 10 minutes (6C for the EREV, 12 minutes with 5C for the BEV) isn’t science fiction—it’s the reality of the S800 thanks to its 800V architecture and ultra-fast charging technology. That means less downtime charging and more time enjoying the drive. For those interested in electric cars focusing on autonomy and technology, you might want to check out the Alpine A390 2026, an electric that also promises to change concepts.

Technology That Thinks and Helps You Drive

Artificial intelligence and driving assistance systems are the technological heart of the Maextro S800, courtesy of Huawei with its ADS (Advanced Driving System). The promise is Level 3 autonomous driving, which means that, under certain conditions and on specific roads, the car can fully take over steering, acceleration, and braking, with the driver still needing to be ready to intervene.

Equipped with a rooftop Lidar sensor and a series of other sensors and cameras, the vehicle is prepared to offer a more relaxed and safer travel experience, anticipating obstacles and making decisions in real time. Speaking of Lidar presence in cars, there have been discussions about safety concerning other devices like cell phones—a topic we explore in our article on how automotive Lidar can damage your phone’s camera.

And speaking of maneuvers, the “Crab Walk” feature is an innovation that will make a difference in tight parking lots or restricted spaces. With the rear wheels able to steer up to 16 degrees, lateral movements that once seemed impossible are now achievable