The first week of the month saw a much-anticipated reveal in Munich: a concept version of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS, the company’s flagship SUEV. A somewhat similar crossover concept was revealed back in 2018.

Mercedes’ press release indicates that the car is a ‘near-production one-off’ concept draft of the EQS: this is, barring minor changes, the way the model will look when it appears—although Mercedes still hasn’t given it an inaugural model year, let alone raised the subject of first delivery scheduling…although the non-Maybach EQS will be in production as of 2022.

What the company’s recent press release does discuss is the changing sensibilities of the luxury brand in the face of indisputable human-caused global climate change in relation to the burning of fossil fuels—sustainability is the watchword among automakers these days, and Maybach is no exception.

Mercedes-Maybach also talks about the ‘purpose design’ of the EQS: its cohesion of form, and its link to digital connectivity. Inside the model is the ‘floating console’ and ambient lighting, the MBUX Hyperscreen and special Maybach-only display, and the luxury car-specific modular architecture that will soon carry all upper-end Mercedes family models. And, of course, its signature two-tone finish.