Huawei’s venture into the automobile industry has always been an intricate tale. Unlike Xiaomi, which plunged headfirst into building cars, Huawei opted for a different route. Rather than focusing on car manufacturing, the tech giant zeroed in on the “smart” side—HarmonyOS, cutting-edge hardware, and enabling features like autonomous driving.
To make its mark, Huawei formed partnerships with established automakers in China. Last month, it made waves with its newest luxury marque, MAEXTRO, created in collaboration with JAC Group. The name, 尊界, carries a sense of dignity and wealth (尊) paired with the idea of a world or realm (界), fitting into Huawei’s broader “four realms” strategy alongside its other lines like 问界 (Curiosity or Exploration), 智界 (Smart), and 享界 (Enjoy). And now, MAEXTRO’s debut model, the S800, arrives as Huawei’s answer to the Maybach, promising luxury, intelligence, and a technological edge.
The 尊界 S800 (MAEXTRO S800) is not just a car; it’s a tech-laden fortress masquerading as a luxury vehicle. Powered by Huawei’s cutting-edge HarmonyOS Intelligent Drive and boasting a second-generation “Turing Dragon” platform, this electric luxury sedan is a step into the automotive stratosphere.
Designed with Huawei’s ADS system, it combines advanced LiDAR sensors and deep-learning algorithms for L3-level autonomous driving capability. Translation? It’s basically a butler on wheels, capable of self-parking, summoning itself, and navigating narrow parking spaces with the ease of a valet who never complains.
Under the hood—or more accurately, under the floor—you’ll find power configurations to suit any discerning buyer. The triple-motor version offers a jaw-dropping 750 kW of total output (160 kW front, 237.5 kW rear), while the dual-motor setup balances efficiency and power with a 390 kW output.
Both versions rely on CATL nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries, ensuring range and performance to match its opulent aspirations. However, with a curb weight pushing 2.86 tons for the tri-motor version, it’s no featherweight. The lighter dual-motor variant trims that down to a still hefty 2.6 tons.
True to its “flagship of an era” designation, the S800’s aesthetics don’t merely whisper luxury—they shout it from the mountaintops. The vertical-and-horizontal starlight grille is accompanied by crystalline headlamps that gleam like a galaxy in miniature. The cabin continues this celestial theme, with natural materials, over 100 meticulous craft processes, and even a starry ceiling to ensure every passenger experiences first-class treatment.
And then there’s the customization: paint options, wheel designs, and even side-mirror styles are all on the table. But even without these add-ons, the S800 is packed with Huawei’s eight-pillar design standards—ranging from super maneuverability to AI-assisted safety—making this more than just another high-end EV. It’s a rolling showcase of what smart cars can achieve.
As for the price? MAEXTRO’s first salvo into the ultra-luxury market aims high. Huawei is targeting a price tag in the “million-level” range, positioning the S800 as a rival to Maybach and Rolls-Royce. Whether it redefines the upper echelon of automotive luxury remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a bold move in a market long dominated by European stalwarts.
Images: Huawei [CH].
