When Maxus unveiled their T90 EV at the 2022 CV Show, it took a lot of people by surprise. Thing is, up until then, there were no fully electric pickup trucks available in the UK, and it’s arrival kind of poked the (UK automotive) bear. Thing is, that first one we saw on display at the NEC wasn’t even UK spec, it was Italian!
Fast forward three years, and their latest electric pickup has arrived – the eTerron 9! Ben and I have just come back from their UK base of operations in Liverpool, where we got to see it in the metal, and get behind the wheel.
So what’s different? For starters, it’s built on an entirely new platform, and Maxus have a plan that rewrites the rulebook for electric pickups in Europe. It’s also All Wheel Drive – hurrah! It also has six driving modes too.
At first glance it looks are American SUV, and it certainly makes a statement, which isn’t that hard to do when you consider that it’s five and a half meters long…Maxus have really shaken things up in regards to design language, meaning bold, striking looks with muscular lines and geometric shapes – Tetris, anyone? They even have a name for the new look – “New Electrified Mecha” not sure I can envision how they matched this with the paint options, lol. 🤣
Under the bonnet (theoretically speaking, of course) you have a dual motor system, which when combined, offers 448 Brake Horse Power and delivers a whopping 700 Nm’s of torque. This is a massive increase over the T90 EV, and when you combine it with the AWD, it’s a huge leap forward in terms of power and performance. When you consider that most pickups are used in commercial settings, it’s significant, impressive and bold. Bold enough to put the backs up of the majority of UK automotive manufacturers.
That’s the thing though – Maxus are owned by SAIC motors, the bods who now own MG – and when you look at how MG has dominated here over the last ten years, it’s not really surprising to see them doing the same thing with Maxus.
The eTerron 9 offers a range of around 270 miles – and like all EV’s, this increases significantly in an urban environment. A nice addition by Maxus is their thermal management system, which is designed to keep the battery system at optimal performance. Using 9 ventilation channels, the battery is kept at an optimum temperature, prolonging the life of it. The system can also be used to heat the battery up – if needed – before rapid charging, as it takes longer to charge it if it’s cold.
As it’s a pickup, it has lots of space and storage, and a frunk! The frunk’s big too – 236 litres. You can extend the length of the bed by lowering the rear wall of the drivers cab, and you can carry 620kg’s on the bed, and tow 3,5 tonnes (although not at the same time) Although it’s a workhorse, it’s also a lifestyle vehicle, as you could easily carry your mountain bikes in the back, or some surfboards.
On the inside, you’ll find the mod cons and luxury interiors that match some cars and SUV’s – for example, the seats have 8 way adjustability (on top of the heating and ventilation) and you can also make the front seats lie entirely flat, making them into beds. Added to this are lots of storage, as well as a bonnet and tailgate that don’t need to be opened by hand. Nice… 😏
It also comes with V2L – or Vehicle to Load – with multiple outlets, making any camping trip or outdoor adventure even easier (and far more comfortable)
Last but certainly not least is Safety. Like their MG counterparts, there is no compromise on safety, and both of the trims have the same safety suite, including Adaptive Cruise Control, a 360° camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, and more. It’s top notch.
This new fully electric pickup is gearing up to be a real contender here in the UK. It comes in two trims, the Luxury and the Premium, and costs £53,000.00 and £56,000.00 respectively – plus VAT.
Ben and I are due to have this on review in the Spring, and you know what that means!
Thank you all, and enjoy!
Annabelle 😊