It was previewed by a concept with a 65-inch display.
Mercedes introduced the VLE earlier this month and now they’re teasing the luxurious new VLS. However, they went a step further and confirmed the range-topping van will be getting a Maybach variant.
The company isn’t saying much at this point, but teased the model will elevate their “grand limousines [vans] into the realm of sophisticated luxury.” They went on to suggest the model will combine “timeless elegance” with a “first-class interior, a new level of digital sophistication, and an exceptional rear-seat experience.”
Speaking of the rear seats, Mercedes hinted at an “extraordinary private lounge” that has luxurious materials, impeccable craftsmanship, and exquisite design details. That’s not much to go on, but the VLE offers private jet-style seats with a foot rest, pillow, and an integrated wireless phone charger.
The fancy seats will likely be joined by a center console, refrigerated compartment, and a high-tech entertainment system. If the Vision V concept is any indication, the model could have a 65-inch display as well as a 42-speaker premium audio system. We can also expect wood trim, metallic accents, and premium leather.
Vision V Concept
Little else is known about the model at this point, but the VLS will presumably be larger than the VLE. If that’s the case, this certainly isn’t a ‘minivan’ as the former measures 209.0 inches (5,309 mm) long, 78.7 inches (1,999 mm) wide, and 76.5 inches (1,943 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 131.6 inches (3,342 mm). An even larger VLE is also coming with a 138.5-inch (3,517 mm) wheelbase and an overall length of 215.9 inches (5,484 mm).
Powertrain details remain a mystery, but could echo higher-end versions of the VLE. This suggests the VLS could have a roughly 115 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 409 hp (305 kW / 415 PS).
We can also expect 800-volt technology and a 300+ kW DC fast charging capability. Other highlights will likely include an AirMatic air suspension and a rear-axle steering system.
Sales of the Maextro S800 now exceed key German luxury rivals.
Domestic EV brands are winning buyers once loyal to foreign cars.
Porsche deliveries in China dropped 26 percent last year.
Most people outside China have probably never heard of the Maextro S800. Yet this large Chinese luxobarge has quietly begun outselling some very familiar names. In recent months, it has moved more units than the Porsche Panamera, BMW 7-Series, and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class combined in China.
Foreign automakers are all struggling to compete with homegrown competition in the Chinese market, not least of all, Porsche. The German sports car brand is at a problematic stage, experiencing one of the biggest drops in sales, both in China, and globally.
The number of deliveries in China fell by approximately 26 percent last year, Bloomberg reports. And, for all its territories in 2025, Porsche had supplied approximately 279,449 cars to customers all around the world. That’s 10 percent below the year prior.
Chinese Demand Wanes
Maextro S800
For years, China had been Porsche’s single most important growth engine. Wealthy buyers were drawn in by the brand’s reputation for performance and status. That dynamic has shifted with the emergence of a new generation of consumers, who are more aware of the advantages of electric vehicles and the idea of electric propulsion.
Combine that with Chinese automaker’s unique grasp of how to cater to the wants and needs of the home market consumer, as well as the ability to consistently beat Western offerings on price and performance, and it’s little wonder why cars like the S800 are doing so well in a segment that was once rich with Germany’s finest.
Still, the rate at which Chinese automakers have been able to capitalize within the luxury automobile market is nothing short of alarming. Their model lines are competing head-on with long-established luxury brands throughout Europe and, in most instances, provide highly advanced digital and battery technology that buyers are seeking.
However, for consumers, local EV makers are viewed as a representation of innovation, rather than being compromised, especially when it comes to younger buyers.
Strong Local Offerings
Maextro S800
Brands like Huawei’s Maextro, Xiaomi, and BYD have gained market share in the luxury EV range. The S800, for instance, starts at the equivalent price of $103,000, which is around 40 percent cheaper than the Panamera.
Xiaomi’s SU7 EV, meanwhile, is not only quicker than the all-electric Taycan to 100 km/h (2.1 seconds vs 2.7 seconds), it has a higher top speed (350 km/h vs 270 km/h) and offers nearly double the horsepower and torque (1,548 PS / 1,770 Nm vs 884 PS / 890 Nm). And it does all that, while costing a third of the price of the Porsche.
Having expansive product offerings and high levels of domestic loyalty, such firms have started attracting clients who, not too long ago, would have only considered a car with a foreign badge as worthy.
But, in the case of Porsche, this change is a challenging fact. Prestige alone is no longer sufficient to ensure success. So much so that Bloomberg reports that Porsche is not only downsizing its dealer structure, but is also in the process of winding down its EV charging network.
Righting The Ship
Under the leadership of its new CEO, Michael Leiters, Porsche has started to re-evaluate its strategy. The company is leaning on its traditional strengths, focusing on relatively high-margin sports cars and SUVs and pushing a bit heavier on the full complexity electrification. The idea is not to compete on price with the domestic manufacturers of EVs but to shore up what makes the brand unique.
Leiters has told investors the company is looking to see margins improve, though modestly this year. These difficult times have tightened Porsche’s operations’ profit margins, and the company hopes for better cost control and a well-defined product strategy to stabilize performance. The approach is cautious optimism as opposed to quick promises of a turnaround.
China Still Remains Part Of The Plan
Even though Porsche are scaling back their presence in China, they’re not ready to throw in the towel just yet. “The needs of Chinese customers have fundamentally changed,” Porsche China President Alexander Pollich said. “We are a niche brand, a small-scale manufacturer that can hardly change the economic environment, nor reverse the overall market trend. What we can do is to truly examine ourselves and strengthen the core capabilities.”
Porsche will be launching the all-electric Cayenne in the near future and will also introduce more gasoline-powered and plug-in hybrid SUVs, with China-only models high on the agenda. To support this effort, the company is establishing an all-new development hub in Shanghai that will operate independently from Germany.
First on the agenda is designing a new infotainment system that can better match the unique demands of Chinese buyers, likely with native integration for the local apps many owners use daily, rather than relying on the global software stack developed in Germany. In a market that is evolving as quickly as China’s, that kind of local focus may prove just as important as performance or prestige.
Both electric flagships are due to arrive in 2027.
VinFast may be struggling to crack the world’s most lucrative market here in the US, but that is not stopping it from aiming higher up the food chain. The company has unveiled a pair of flagship ultra-luxury models intended to push its image far beyond the mainstream EV space.
The 800S SUV and the 900S sedan join the existing 900 LX in the Lac Hong high-end lineup, taking aim at the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, or at least daring to.
The new models feature a large grille with vertical slats inspired by Vietnamese bamboo, flanked by split LED headlights. A gold ornament on the hood depicts the mythical Lac bird, which also appears on the D-pillars and rear emblem. According to VinFast, the Lac Hong lettering on the tailgate is crafted from a genuine gold-plated alloy.
The 900S sedan rides on a massive wheelbase and adopts a sculpted profile accented with aluminum trim, while its black wheels look lifted straight from the Maybach playbook. A sloping roofline flows into a fastback-style rear end with T-shaped LED taillights and a pair of vents.
The 800S SUV, by contrast, mirrors the upright proportions of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, with straight character lines, silver accents, multi-spoke wheels, and a thick D-pillar that reinforces its imposing stance.
Cabin Materials And Interface Layout
Inside, both models combine wood veneers with Nappa leather and gold-plated inserts. The dashboard integrates a single display that houses both the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. A cylindrical knob on the center console recalls BMW’s iDrive controller. Dual wireless charging pads, manual controls for the power-adjustable seats, and gold-plated speaker grilles round out the presentation.
While both cars share much of their dashboard architecture, the 900S sedan shifts the spotlight firmly to those in the back. It promises generous rear legroom, zero-gravity executive seating, automatic power-assisted doors, and an available partition housing a large-format projection entertainment system and a foldable executive workstation. There is also a starry night headliner and warm ambient lighting to seal the deal.
Tri-Motor Power And Fully Active Suspension
Both models are fitted with an electric powertrain. The tri-motor option produces a combined 617 hp (460 kW / 625 PS), sending power to all four wheels. VinFast has not shared details on battery capacity or range, but it does promise an all-new fully active suspension system engineered to deliver exceptional ride comfort and dynamic stability. The EVs will also feature advanced intelligent technologies and comprehensive safety systems.
The VinFast Lac Hong 800S and 900S are scheduled to go on sale in 2027. Pricing remains under wraps, though it is safe to assume a healthy step up from the brand’s VF mainstream passenger EVs and Green commercial mobility lines.
And it is not just Rolls-Royce, Maybach, and Bentley in the crosshairs. VinFast’s Lac Hong range will also have to contend with Chinese players such as the Huawei-backed Maextro, which promise similar presence and tech at far more competitive prices.
Mercedes is planning to introduce dozens of new models.
S-Class Maybach arrives in March, AMG GT also due this year.
16 new models coming in 2026, while 14 are slated for 2027.
Mercedes held their capital markets day presentation yesterday and announced plans to stage seven world premieres in the next three months. That’s an impressive number, especially considering the company has already introduced the facelifted S-Class and GLC 53.
The automaker didn’t delve into many specifics, but confirmed the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class debuts in March. The company added the AMG GT 4-Door arrives later this year, while the SUV variant follows in 2027. That year will also see the unveiling of the G-Class Cabriolet.
While details are light, a slide suggested Mercedes will introduce 16 vehicles this year. Six of them will be fully electric, while the others will have internal combustion engines.
Many of these will be “Top-End” vehicles, which implies we can expect a number of new S-Class variants including the aforementioned Maybach. Some of the others are presumably AMG versions.
As for the Top-End EVs, spy photographers have snapped a facelifted EQS on multiple occasions. It’s expected to feature starry lighting units, a new 800 volt electrical architecture, and an upgraded powertrain. The latter could combine an improved battery with more efficient motors.
2026 will also see the introduction of five Core ICE-powered vehicles and three EVs. One of the latter appears to be the new GLC EQ L for China, which was mentioned in one of the presentations.
On the Entry side of things, there will be a new ICE and EV model. It will join the CLA and GLB, suggesting this could be the redesigned GLA.
2027 will see the introduction of 14 models, three of which will be fully electric. A vast majority of these will become part of the brand’s Core family, while some of the Top-End models could be the facelifted SL.
Mercedes also mentioned a new long-wheelbase GLE for China, which will presumably be based on the facelifted crossover. However, it’s unclear when either model will arrive.
Financials
Fun stuff aside, Mercedes announced adjusted earnings before interest and taxes fell from €13.7 ($16.3) billion in 2024 to €8.2 ($9.7) billion last year. The company blamed the drop on challenges in China, tariffs, and foreign exchange headwinds. On the bright side, the company reduced research and development costs related to future architectures and technologies.
Investors probably won’t like the news, nor will they be thrilled by the proposed dividend of €3.50 ($4.15) per share. That’s significantly less than last year’s payout of €4.30 ($5.10).
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