China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has added the Maextro S800 Grand Design to its 31st batch of new-energy vehicles eligible for purchase-tax exemption, confirming both pure-electric and extended-range variants of the brand’s flagship sedan. The pure-electric model carries a 120.043 kWh battery rated at 780 km CLTC, while the extended-range variant uses a 63.262 kWh pack for a 360 km pure-electric phase before the on-board generator kicks in. For overseas readers, this is a meaningful update because Maextro — the highest-positioned brand in Huawei’s HIMA portfolio — is finally crystallizing its long-rumored flagship technical envelope. We’ve previously covered the broader MIIT power-train pattern in our MIIT June 2026 filing roundup, and the Grand Design takes that pattern to its logical extreme.
Maextro S800 Grand Design at a Glance
The Grand Design is positioned above the existing S800 as the brand’s halo variant. Visually, the car keeps the S800’s long-wheelbase coupe-saloon silhouette, but adds gloss-black B/C-pillar treatment, larger 21-inch wheels with active aero shutters, and revised LED tail-bar graphics. Inside, the Grand Design is expected to inherit the four-seat lounge layout from the regular S800, with extended rear-seat legroom and a redesigned center console.
Two Power-Train Choices
- BEV: 120.043 kWh battery, dual-motor AWD, 780 km CLTC (about 660 km on the more conservative WLTP cycle); 800V architecture confirmed for 5C peak charging.
- EREV: 63.262 kWh battery for ~360 km of pure-electric driving, paired with a 1.5T range-extender; total range is expected to exceed 1,400 km on a full tank plus a full charge.
The 780 km BEV figure is the longest officially filed for any flagship Chinese sedan in the 30+ tax-exempt batches we’ve tracked. It exceeds the long-range BMW i5 (614 km WLTP) and the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ (782 km WLTP) on home turf, although direct cross-cycle comparisons are inexact.
Pricing Expectations
Maextro has not officially announced Grand Design pricing, but the brand’s price band starts at roughly 708,000 RMB (~$97,650) for the entry S800 and tops 1.01 million RMB (~$139,310) for the current top-spec. Industry observers expect the Grand Design to be positioned at 1.2–1.3 million RMB (~$165,500–$179,310), putting it in direct competition with the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC and the BMW i7 xDrive60 in the China market. With the 780 km BEV figure and full HIMA ADS 4.0 hardware, Maextro is now squarely targeting buyers who would have previously defaulted to a chauffeur-grade German flagship.
HIMA Smart-Driving Hardware
Like the rest of the Maextro family, the Grand Design will ship with Huawei’s HIMA ADS 4.0 hardware, which includes a 192-line LiDAR up front, four side LiDARs, and the latest Ascend-derived domain controller. This package supports point-to-point navigation on Chinese highways and select urban roads. The Maextro brand strategy is described in detail in our AITO M9 deliveries (HIMA flagship benchmark).
Why This Matters for Overseas Readers
For US, European, and ASEAN readers, the Grand Design matters for three reasons:
- Range benchmark: 780 km CLTC on a flagship sedan is now the new Chinese ceiling — German rivals will be pressed to respond, and Maextro’s success here will inform how aggressively Huawei pushes HIMA’s tech into export markets.
- Tax-exemption signal: The MIIT 31st batch listing means the Grand Design qualifies for full purchase-tax exemption inside China, which translates to roughly 8.85% off the retail price for buyers — a meaningful subsidy at this price band.
- Export pipeline: While Maextro has not announced overseas market plans, HIMA’s parent Huawei has signaled interest in licensing HIMA tech to overseas OEMs through joint-venture agreements, which means the Grand Design’s tech package could appear in non-Chinese vehicles within 2–3 years.
Editor’s Note
The Maextro S800 Grand Design is the strongest possible signal yet that Chinese flagship sedans are no longer playing catch-up to German marques on either range or technology. The 780 km figure deserves particular attention — it’s not just a marketing number, it’s a filed and certified result, and it will reshape how buyers in this segment compare options through 2026 and 2027.
FAQ
1. When will the Maextro S800 Grand Design go on sale?
Maextro has not announced official pricing or sale dates. MIIT filing typically precedes launch by 2–4 months, suggesting an autumn 2026 reveal is plausible.
2. What’s the difference between the regular S800 and the Grand Design?
The Grand Design is a flagship-of-flagship variant with a larger 120.043 kWh battery (vs ~100 kWh standard), higher-spec rear lounge package, and revised exterior trim. It replaces the previous top-spec S800 Premium.
3. Is the Grand Design available in EREV form?
Yes, the MIIT filing confirms an EREV variant with a 63.262 kWh battery and a 1.5T range-extender, in addition to the headline 780 km BEV variant.
4. How does the 780 km CLTC range compare on the WLTP cycle?
WLTP is roughly 12–18% lower than CLTC for premium Chinese EVs, so 780 km CLTC corresponds to approximately 660 km WLTP — competitive with the long-range Mercedes EQS and BMW i7 variants.
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