Huawei & BAIC launched Stelato S9 to rival Mercedes-Benz EQS, starting at 55,900 USD

The Stelato S9 has officially arrived. It is an executive luxury sedan with two trim levels priced between 399,800 and 449,800 yuan (55,900 and 62,900 USD). The vehicle is set to rival established models such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS, blending high-tech innovations from Huawei with automotive manufacturing expertise from BAIC.

Stelato, a joint venture between Huawei and BAIC, emerged under the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). This collaboration combines the expertise of Huawei, a tech giant, with BAIC, a state-owned automotive company in China. Huawei contributes software and critical components in this partnership, while BAIC oversees the platform and manufacturing. Huawei has employed a similar collaboration model with other automakers like Chery, JAC, and Seres.

The Stelato S9 comes in single-motor and dual-motor versions. The maximum power outputs are 227 kW and 385 kW, respectively. The dual-motor variant accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. Equipped with a 100 kWh battery, it offers ranges of up to 816 km CLTC for the single-motor and 721 km CLTC for the dual-motor version. It is built on 800V architecture, allowing a 200 km range with just five minutes of charge.

The Stelato S9 continues the Luxeed S7 (see specs) and Aito M9 (see specs) design language. It features minimalist lines and a distinctive full-width light strip. The diamond-process headlamps and a drag coefficient of just 0.193 Cd highlight its blend of style and aerodynamics. It is measured at a length of 5160mm, width of 1987mm, and height of 1486mm, with a wheelbase of 3050mm.

The S9 flaunts a smooth roofline and frameless doors. Smart electronic side mirrors enhance visibility, reducing blind spots by 60% compared to traditional mirrors.

A full-width taillight and a subtle ducktail spoiler distinguish the S9’s sophisticated rear design. The S9 offers 20-inch and 21-inch wheel options, adding to its sporty profile.

The Stelato S9 boasts a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, all housed within a modern, horizontal layout. Features like 50-watt wireless charging, tablet integration, and advanced HarmonyOS 4 system enhance the driving experience. The S9’s zero-gravity seats are upholstered in Nappa leather and offer heating, ventilation, and massage functions.

The rear passengers can enjoy movies on a 13.2-inch Huawei tablet or a 32-inch in-car projector screen. It supports front and rear Type-C ports and wireless charging spots. Its trunk has a 378-liter capacity and a 38-liter frunk.

The S9 features air suspension and adaptive damping control for a smooth ride. The car’s driving modes adjust performance, with comfort mode offering a refined drive and sport mode enhancing responsiveness and stability.

The Huawei ADS 3.0 will debut in the Stelato S9. It features end-to-end human-like driving intelligence that handles complex road conditions. Upgraded with the GOD perception neural network, it transitions from object recognition to scene understanding. The Huawei ADS 3.0 system integrates advanced safety technologies, including collision avoidance and adaptive braking.

The system introduces pedal misapplication collision avoidance and adaptive emergency braking (AEB) for various road conditions, ensuring smooth braking on slippery, rainy, or snowy surfaces. The S9 also features a 192-line LiDAR with a detection range of up to 250 meters, enhancing perception capabilities. Additionally, it supports comprehensive autonomous driving functions and auto parking. Aito and Luxeed models under the HIMA umbrella will receive ADS 3.0 update starting in September.

The Stelato S9, a collaboration between Huawei and BAIC, sets a new standard in luxury electric vehicles. Leveraging Huawei’s tech prowess and BAIC’s manufacturing expertise, the S9 stands out in the luxury electric sedan market with its aggressive pricing, features, and performance. Huawei’s Aito brand, another HIMA venture, delivered 181,197 vehicles in the first half of 2024, leading Chinese NEV startups with the top-selling Aito M9 SUV. Building on this success, Stelato aims to capture the luxury EV market by selling 120,000 units of the S9 annually.