This is the MG Maxus 9, which is an all-electric minivan that will debut at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) and is currently available for pre-booking at a fee of 20,000 baht (RM2,594), which give entitled customers to a discount of 40,000 baht (RM5,192) when the car is officially delivered.
Don’t get confused by the name. While it does have two car brands, MG and Maxus, to its name, this is very much a product of Maxus, which is a subsidiary of SAIC Motor which, coincidentally, also owns MG. The ‘MG’ is there because MG Thailand sells the MPV, but it should be noted that the MPV is simply known as the Maxus Mifa 9 in its home market of China.
Closely related to the Maxus G90, the Maxus 9 measures 5,270mm long, 2,000mm wide, 1,840mm tall and has a 3,200mm wheelbase. For context, the Toyota Alphard is slightly smaller compared to the Maxus 9 at 4945mm long and 1850mm wide, while also sporting a shorter 3000mm wheelbase.
The electric powertrain of the Maxus 9 features a front-mounted motor rated at 245 PS (241 PS or 180 kW) and 350 Nm of torque. This is linked to a ternary lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 90 kWh, which is good for a range of 540 km following the NEDC standard. The battery can be fully charged in 8.5 hours on AC input to a maximum of 11 kW, or go from 30 to 80% state of charge in about 36 minutes with a DC fast charger capable of producing 120 kW.
In Thailand, the Maxus 9 will be offered in two grades, starting with the X. It comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED taillamps with sequential turn signals, a front moonroof, sunroof, panoramic glass, faux leather upholstery, 64-color ambient lighting, power steering wheel adjustment, power front seats, and second-row captain’s chairs with massage and heated functions.
The list also includes automatic air conditioning with second and third row vents, PM2.5 air filtration, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster display, a wireless phone charger, keyless entry and start, sliding doors power and tailgate, rain-responsive wipers, eight speakers and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Next up is Grade V, which adds run-flat tires, genuine leather upholstery, upgraded power front seats with massage, heating, ventilation and memory functions on the driver’s side, VIP-style second-row captain’s chairs, rear view digital mirroring, four more speakers (for a total of 12), and nine USB ports (the base option gets seven).
The safety and driver assistance kit is identical for both the X and the V and includes the usual passive systems (stability control, ABS, EBD, brake assist, hill start assist), automatic brake hold (it works with electronic parking brake), tire pressure monitoring, driver monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, alert rear cross-traffic monitor, a panoramic view monitor and full parking sensors.
Customers who pre-book the Maxus 9 will also receive a free home charger worth 42,057 baht (RM 5457) and free home charger installation worth 18,692 baht (RM 2425). Other benefits include a five-year/100,000-mile extended vehicle warranty period in addition to an eight-year, 125,000-mile battery warranty. The X grade is offered in two colors: Black Knight and Pearl White, with the V grade getting a third option that is a two-tone Granite Gray with a black roof.
