Is This the End of Rolls-Royce? Huawei's Maextro S800 Wants Your Bentley-Driving Money
Image Credit: Huawei.
This is big. I've seen a lot of cars in my time, more than I care to admit, really. But this… this is really big. Huawei, yes, that Huawei, the tech giant, has decided they're not just content with your phones and routers. They're coming for your Rolls-Royce. And not just any Rolls-Royce, but the electric one. The Chinese tech giant just unveiled the Maextro S800, and it's got the old guard in Crewe quaking in their well-polished boots, I tell you.
At first, you might scoff. Huawei making cars? Isn't that like your grandma suddenly becoming a Formula 1 driver? I hear you, but this isn't some half-baked attempt. This is a full-on assault on the luxury car market, and Huawei is not messing around.
Remember when Rolls-Royce introduced those sparkly, fiber-optic headliners? Thought that was the height of decadence, didn't you? Well, Huawei has taken that idea and injected it with steroids. Not only is the headliner shimmering like a galaxy, but they've also sprinkled that Swarovski-like magic on the door handles, the headlights, even projecting dancing lights around the car as you approach. I'm not entirely sure if I love it or hate it; let's hope it can be switched off.
And it's not just about the bling. Remember that old Rolls-Royce mantra, "Every time you touch the car, you add cost. Make sure you add value."? Well, Huawei seems to have taken that to heart. This car is built on a bespoke platform, meaning it doesn't share its underpinnings with some humdrum family sedan. That might not mean much to you or me, but to the folks who drop six figures on a car, it's a big deal. It's about exclusivity, about knowing you're not driving the same platform as your neighbor's… well, you get the idea.
Image Credit: Huawei.
This electric beast comes with an interesting choice of powertrains. You've got the EREV, which is basically an electric car with a range extender, and then you've got the pure electric version. Horsepower ranges from a respectable 480 to a mind-boggling 852. 852! That's enough to launch this land yacht into orbit, or at least to 60 mph in a rather alarming fashion. I haven't tested it myself yet, but I'm willing to bet it'll put a smile on your face - or terrify you, depending on your disposition.
And the tech? Oh, the tech. This palace on wheels has more sensors than a NASA space probe. Radar, LiDAR, cameras, you name it. It's constantly analyzing the road, adjusting the suspension, steering the wheels, all to give you the smoothest, most luxurious ride imaginable. They call it a "digital chauffeur." I call it witchcraft.
Image Credit: Huawei.
This car is also a safety fanatic. Huawei claims its sensors can see through rain, fog, and dust better than any other system out there. And if a crash is unavoidable, it'll automatically adjust your seat, raise the windows, and even unlock the doors to make it easier for rescuers to get you out. It'll even call for help after the impact. It's a robotic guardian angel on wheels.
You'll be glad to know that the S800 supports 800V fast charging, which means you can juice up that battery in a ridiculously short amount of time. We're talking 10.5 minutes to go from 10% to 80% on the EREV version (it has a much smaller battery). The charging time of the battery version hasn't been revealed yet, but you can bet your lunch money it'll be closer to 20 minutes.
So, how much will this technological marvel set you back? Well, in China, it's going to cost between 1 and 1.5 million yuan. That translates to roughly between $135,000 to $205,000 US, depending on the version and extras. Not exactly pocket change, but then again, neither is a Rolls-Royce.
The question is, will the traditional luxury car buyers jump ship and embrace this high-tech upstart? It's actually not that hard to say. In China - they will. Anywhere else - highly unlikely they will even flinch. But Huawei has thrown down the gauntlet, for sure. The old guard better watch out, because there's a new player in town, and they're not afraid to use their tech advantage. This could be the biggest shake-up in the luxury car market since… well, since Rolls-Royce started making cars.
