Harsh Goenka shares Chinese mobile brand’s EV rivaling Mercedes and BMW with zero-gravity seats, cinema screen and starlit roof

Harsh Goenka recently posted on his X account showcasing Huawei’s Maextro S800. Creative Exhibition “This or Maybach?” featuring Galiano video instantly drew global attention to this ambitious Chinese luxury contender. In his post, Goenka called the car “pretty amazing.”

Maextro S800 is produced by JAC’s high-end Maextro brand with great technological power from Huawei. It is positioned as an ultra-luxury electric limousine priced below Rs. 89,89,070 ($100,000) but offers an experience that many reviewers claim is well above the price. The car reaches impressive flagship dimensions and carries a long wheelbase, providing a spacious cabin often associated with elite European names.

Sert Goenka’s X post:

Lavish Interior and VIP Class Comfort

Inside, the S800 leans all about opulence. According to the Maextro 800’s website, the cabin features semi-aniline leather, crystal details, polished wood panels and deeply cushioned seating that creates an exaggerated border. Rear passengers enjoy individual VIP lounge chairs with almost flat reclining positions. A massive 40-inch privacy screen rises between the rows to create a secluded back room. Details such as soft-closing doors, a starlit panoramic roof and multi-zone climate control contribute to an atmosphere more reminiscent of a chauffeured suite than a sedan.

• The cabin offers either a four-seat “executive” layout or a generous five-seat configuration; both with plush, semi-aniline leather upholstery, real wood and crystal accents, ambient lighting and premium finishes.
• For rear seat passengers: zero-gravity loveseats (reclining up to 148.5°), full massage and ventilation, multi-zone heating/cooling including door panels and armrests — a “living room on the move” feel.
• Privacy and ambiance are enhanced by privacy glass, a 40-inch soaring screen that acts as a divider and entertainment system, and a panoramic “starlight ceiling.”

Latest Technology and Driving Dynamics

The performance story is equally impressive. Buyers will be able to choose between an all-electric model or a range-extended version that uses a small gasoline generator to charge the battery during long journeys. Depending on the configuration, the S800 can cover more than 1,000 km under CLTC testing. Huawei provides the Harmony ALPS cockpit system and intelligent driving hardware that manages navigation, perception and autonomous functions. The rear steering setup and adaptive suspension give the large sedan surprising agility at both low and high speeds.

• Powertrains: pure electric (EV) or extended range (EREV hybrid). The EV version uses a 95 kWh (or similar) battery with a CLTC range of ≈ 700 km and a 0-100 km/h time of ~4.3 seconds.
• EREV variants combine electric propulsion with backup power by adding a 1.5-litre turbo-generator + dual/triple engine setup for a total range of up to ~1,333 km.
• Ride comfort and handling are enhanced by the all-aluminum chassis, independent multi-link suspension with adaptive dampers and even four-wheel steering with crab walk function; This is impressive agility for a large luxury sedan.

Despite its opulence (leather, wood, massage chairs, premium sound system, ambient lighting and more), base versions of the S800 reportedly start around $98,000 to $100,000, which is almost Rs. 90 lakh (≈ 708,000 yuan in China). Higher trims with extended powertrains and 4-seat VIP layouts approach over $140,000 but still represent relative value compared to traditional ultra-luxury brands.

Competing Mercedes‑Maybach S-Class or Rolls-Royce Phantom?

It’s the value proposition that shakes up the traditional luxury hierarchy. The S800 certainly offers a convincing value-to-feature ratio: many touches reminiscent of a Maybach or Rolls-Royce – VIP seats, privacy features, near-silent cabin, comfortable materials – but at a significantly lower price. China’s advanced EV supply chain and strong industrial support allow the Maextro to offer a range of features that seems surprisingly generous for its price. It challenges the long-held belief that ultra-luxury must always incur astronomical costs. However, despite its great technical features, the brand faces a psychological obstacle. Prestige-oriented buyers of Maybach and Rolls Royce continue to place great emphasis on heritage and reputation.