Latest news with #Maxus
The Independent
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Ford Ranger PHEV review: The best-selling pick-up goes plug-in hybrid
Whereas passenger cars and commercial van fleets are rapidly electrifying, the pick-up might just be the last holdout in the transition to EVs – especially in the UK. The Ford F-150 Lightning proved that electric trucks are possible in a country that pays little attention to weight limitations, but the fully electric version of the most popular car in America is simply too massive for our roads. The Tesla Cybertruck is plainly silly and about as road legal in the UK as a skip full of knives. Your only option for an EV hauler in the UK, the Maxus T90 is an honest-to-goodness electric pick-up, albeit with asthmatic towing ability. So it makes sense that Ford has taken only a cautious half-step towards electrifying the hugely popular Ford Ranger. The plug-in hybrid edition of the truck adds a 75kW electric motor, a modular hybrid transmission and a 11.8kWh battery to its 2.3 litre EcoBoost engine. The changes add just a 31mm rise to the Ranger's bed – besides the extra flap for charging and a few PHEV details around the air vents, you'd barely notice the difference. Ford's goal was to add plug-in electric capability without changing the Ranger's most sacred attributes, reducing emissions, lowering running costs and improving comfort, while leaving untouched its all-round utility as a commercial workhorse. How we tested We've had multiple test drives of the Ranger PHEV ahead of its launch, experiencing its performance and efficiency on-road, including motorways and country lanes, as well as its impressive capability on a demanding off-road course. Ford Ranger PHEV: From £39,500, Independent rating: 8/10 Ford Ranger PHEV specs Price range: £39,500 to £50,000 Battery size: 11.8kWh Maximum EV range: 25 miles Engine: 2.3 litre EcoBoost Battery, range, charging, performance and drive The Ranger PHEV combines the 2.3 litre EcoBoost petrol engine seen in the Focus RS and Mustang with a 75kW electric motor fed by an 11.8kWh battery. This results in an impressive 700Nm of torque – the highest of any production Ranger ever – and retains the pick-up's load-hauling capability. The instant torque and regenerative braking of the electric motor help out in the field too, where off-road and low-speed handling feel sharpened. We crawled the Ranger PHEV up and down some steep, rocky inclines in full EV mode, where the e-4WD system constantly juggled torque distribution to keep the truck moving over challenging terrain. All of the Ranger's usual off-road systems are here and have been tweaked to play nice with the new transmission – features like automatic hill descent and rear differential lock should get you out of most sticky situations under electric power alone. Back on the road the Ranger PHEV offers a sturdy, comfortable ride and a typical high-up driving position that gives great visibility all round. The pick-up is surprisingly agile for its size and weight too, ducking around tight bends with composure. Four EV modes determine how much electric power you want to use – or reserve to use at your destination – with the default Auto EV setting striking a balance between engine performance and electric motor efficiency. Electric-only range is just 25 miles. That's weak by PHEV standards, but still enough mileage for short trips and occasions where you might want to avoid belching fumes out of the tailpipe – like visiting campsites and worksites, or entering low-emission urban zones. There's no fast charging here – just a standard AC socket. Interior, practicality and boot space Inside, the Ranger PHEV largely echoes the familiar cabin of the current Ranger. Durable hard plastics are used throughout, but the interior is functional enough for a working vehicle, with surprisingly comfy seats in the front – you can opt for heated seats, too – and decent legroom for two passengers in the back. Driving modes, EV modes and off-road systems all get physical controls on the centre console next to the chunky gear selector, as do some climate controls and other essential functions beneath the display. The highest trim levels get a few splashes of colour and detailing around the cabin to match the car's paint. The 11.8kWh battery is packaged in the pick-up bed, resulting in only a 31mm rise, so capacity is pretty much unaffected. You have the option to add a powered canopy and a sliding sports rack for securing ladders and other awkward loads, while the easy lift tailgate and cargo lighting make accessing the bed straightforward. Built-in floodlights can illuminate areas around the car for better visibility when working after dark, too. Beyond the hybrid system itself, the Ranger PHEV doesn't go overboard with fancy tech, keeping things relatively modest with a vertical 12in touchscreen in the centre of the dash and an 8in driver display behind the wheel. A 10-speaker B&O audio system is available on the launch edition Stormtrak trim, which sounds decent enough for a utility vehicle, and the cabin gets a degree of active noise cancellation to reduce road and wind sounds at speed. The smartest new tech on board the Ranger PHEV is Ford's Pro Power Onboard system, a plug socket in the bed that effectively turns the pick-up into a mobile power source capable of running everything from heavy-duty appliances to a Nespresso machine. One of the EV driving modes is designed to conserve the battery for use at your destination too, so you can arrive confident that your car will have enough power to make you a coffee. As well as the usual set of standard driving assists like lane-keeping and pre-collision assist, you have the option to add Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which automatically moves the pick-up into position for towing and uses the 12in display to help manage awkward manoeuvres with trailers. Similarly, the front camera helps with wheel positioning when driving off-road or along dirt tracks. Prices and running costs The Ford Ranger PHEV starts at £39,500 (ex. VAT) for the entry-level XLT, rising to around £45,000 for the Wildtrak and around £50,000 for the limited-edition Stormtrak. While pricier than the diesel equivalents, the long-term savings and tax advantages are compelling, especially for commercial users. As a plug-in hybrid, the Range PHEV benefits from being more fuel efficient, but it's the car's lower CO2 emissions that produce the biggest immediate savings by slashing benefit-in-kind tax for company car users. Ford also projects £2,250 savings on maintenance over conventional models and potential fuel savings of £1,000 per year for those utilising cheap overnight electricity tariffs. Rivals Maxus T90 Ford Ranger (diesel) Ford E-Transit Custom FAQs How long does it take to charge? With no fast charging to speak of, the 11.8kW battery on the Ranger PHEV will charge in around a couple of hours from a 7kW home charger. How much does it cost, and is it worth it? There's a small premium to pay versus the petrol and diesel Ranger, but this is offset by cheaper running costs. Overall fuel efficiency and a reduced tax liability for company fleets quickly adds up to decent savings. What should I look out for before buying one? Consider if the limited electric-only range meets your daily needs for EV driving and ensure the higher upfront cost is offset by your potential tax and running cost savings, especially if you can regularly charge it on a cheap tariff. Why trust us Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic. The verdict: Ford Ranger PHEV Ford has electrified the Ranger without compromising its workhorse soul, delivering an upgrade with impressive torque and range-topping fuel efficiency alongside a few compelling extras like ProPower. Limited EV range makes the Ranger PHEV a little less versatile, but the tax savings alone will make it a hit with business users.
Business Times
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Times
Maxus Mifa 7 review: This MPV makes sense for one reason
[SINGAPORE] Quentin Tarantino gave us The Hateful Eight, but if this Maxus were a movie, it would be The Sensible 7. Like many electric cars sold here, the once-British-but-now-Chinese brand's Mifa 7 now comes in detuned form to duck under the Category A Certificate Of Entitlement bar. That brings its starting price to S$204,999, making it a good S$14,000 cheaper than the Category B version. Under the floor sits a 90 kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which is happier at full charge than nickel manganese cobalt packs, so you can top it up to 100 per cent with less fretting about degradation. It delivers a claimed 480 kilometres of range, which works out to less than one plug-in a week for most drivers here. As you might expect, unlike Inglourious Basterds, the Category A Mifa 7 isn't full of explosive action. But also unlike the movie, it actually makes sense. It's a seven-seat electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that's big enough for a big family, but small enough to make easy work of our narrow roads and tight car parks. At 4,910 mm long and 1,885 mm wide, it's about the size of a Mercedes E-Class. If you can handle that, you can handle this. And you can definitely handle the amount of excitement the Mifa 7 dishes out, given how it takes a leisurely 14.7 seconds to reach 100 kmh. That said, even though it sounds like driving the Maxus puts you at risk of being overtaken by the odd glacier, the car does get up to speed with a sense of duty. The motor still biffs out plenty of torque, enough for you to chirp the front tyres if you floor it out of a slow corner, and in the city the Mifa 7 doesn't struggle to keep up with other traffic. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up If it's no fun at all to drive, at least it's easy. Visibility is good, the steering is light, and it doesn't feel like a runaway stagecoach. Instead, its medium-sized footprint means that corralling it in a lane isn't a serious test of skill and concentration. If you do need help, the car comes with lane-keep assist, blind spot monitors, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking. It also has a little camera that watches you vigilantly, then bongs at you if it senses distracted driving. Annoying? Yes, but admittedly useful. It nagged me whenever I took my eye off the road for too long while looking for something on the 12.3-inch touchscreen. Yet, there are no zero-layer controls, meaning essentials like the climate panel or 360-degree camera view aren't always on screen. If you're bopping along to Spotify with Apple CarPlay, you'll need to exit it just to change the fan speed. And then you get bonged at. While the driver is forced to stay alert, life on board for everyone else is reasonably cushy. At town speeds, the springs and dampers cope with the car's 2.2-tonne mass well, and the air-con system doesn't struggle to fill the vast cabin. The rear has its own climate control panel, plus ceiling vents to keep everyone cool. There is a glass roof for those who love sunshine, and a roller shade for those who hate it. You're meant to fit three people across the third row, and a compact suspension design leaves enough space back there to make it just about doable, although the available width works best for kids. While the second row gets individual chairs, they're not the business class seats that bigger MPVs offer. In fact, the Mifa 7 comes without a flip-down entertainment screen, folding tables, a refrigerator, massaging chairs or flip-up leg rests, all of which are becoming standard fare in the world of Chinese luxury MPVs. To move or recline the middle row seats, you have to use your biceps. Given how the Mifa 7 is much cheaper than bigger, plusher MPVs, the lack of frills is understandable. It's obviously more for family men than businessmen. Yet, the boot space is quoted at just 270 litres with all seats up, and there's no frunk. There's enough capacity for some shopping, a stroller and, apparently, a wheelchair, but when you fold the third row seats you're left with the bench in place. That's one reason the car doesn't feel like it has a proper boot – just some room behind the passengers. Ultimately, the Maxus is a solid people mover that has uniqueness on its side. It isn't as compelling as The Magnificent Seven, but the Mifa 7 is your only ticket to a seven-seat electric MPV with sliding doors in Category A. Maxus Mifa 7 Luxury Motor power/Torque 145 hp / 350 Nm Battery type/Net capacity Lithium-ion / 90 kWh Charging time/Type 8.5 hours (11 kW AC), 40 minutes 5 to 80 per cent (120 kW DC) Range 480 km 0-100 kmh 14.7 seconds Top speed 170 kmh Efficiency 20.5 kWh / 100 km Agent Cycle & Carriage Maxus Price S$204,999 with COE Available Now
Reuters
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
BYD names former Stellantis executive Zampese as Europe head of commercial vehicle business
MILAN, June 9 (Reuters) - BYD ( opens new tab has appointed Gianluca Zampese, a former Stellantis industry veteran, to a new position as head of its light commercial vehicle business in Europe, the Chinese EV giant said on Monday, as it seeks to expand in the region. BYD also named the 56-year-old Italian, who has over 20 years of experience in Europe's light commercial vehicle industry, as its LCV country manager for Italy. The world's largest EV seller in 2024, BYD has in the past year been overhauling its European operations under its special adviser Alfredo Altavilla, including by appointing a string of high-profile managers, especially from French-Italian-American rival Stellantis ( opens new tab. Zampese's appointment is aimed at "developing the brand's presence in the light commercial vehicle segment in Europe and particularly in the Italian market," BYD said in a statement. Zampese joined Fiat, now part of Stellantis, in 2005, covering different positions, especially in Europe, but also in Africa and the Middle East. After leaving Stellantis in August last year, he worked as Italy's country manager for Maxus, an LCV-focused brand owned by China's SAIC Motor ( opens new tab.
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Qatar Tribune
Not just a pickup: Maxus T90 delivers dominance
Tribune News Network Doha The Maxus T90 is not just a pickup, it's your statement of power, style, and dominance. Designed for those who refuse to blend in, the T90 is a seamless fusion of bold aesthetics, raw power, and advanced technology. The Maxus T90 is available at Auto Class Cars, the authorized general distributor of Maxus in Qatar, at its showroom on Salwa Road. The Maxus T90 is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine, which generates 247 HP and 410 Nm of torque, paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission (ZF) with Paddle Shifters. Whether cruising through the city or conquering rugged terrains, the T90 transforms every drive into an exhilarating experience, and an extension of your ambitions and lifestyle. Exterior The T90's muscular stance, LED lighting, and bold front grille make it impossible to ignore. It's a symbol of strength, confidence, and sophistication. With a functional tailgate and bold rear styling, the T90 blends practicality with a striking design. Designed to impress, and engineered to perform, the bold lines, muscular stance, and aerodynamic design make the T90 stand out, whether in motion or at rest. Interior The moment you enter the T90, you step into a world of innovation and luxury. Every detail, from the driver-focused cockpit to the ambient lighting, is designed to enhance your driving experience. The T90's sunroof floods the cabin with natural light, enhancing every journey. At one touch, you can have full control, stay connected and in command with seamless touchscreen navigation and driver-centric controls. Step inside and experience unparalleled spaciousness designed for your dynamic lifestyle. Whether you're packing for an adventurous getaway, heading to a business meeting, or simply enjoying the open road, the refined and versatile cabin ensures that every journey is effortless. Thanks to its smart storage and easy access designed for convenience, the T90 offers multiple storage solutions to keep your essentials within reach. Whether for work or adventure, T90's cargo bed offers unmatched versatility to carry everything you need with ease. With flexible seating and smart storage, T90 maximizes space for comfort and utility-no compromise on practicality. Comfort Every ride in the T90 is an indulgence in luxury and refinement. Sink into ergonomically designed seats, take command of an intuitive cockpit, and enjoy a drive that's as smooth as it is exhilarating. Its advanced climate control ensures optimal cabin temperature for both driver and passengers. The premium cabin is designed for your convenience. With an advanced infotainment system and ergonomic layout, the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make every drive feels effortless. In addition, The T90's premium seating and plush interior redefine comfort for work and adventure. Safety With Maxus T90, your safety is non-negotiable. The T90 is engineered with intelligent driver assistance technologies that keep you in control. With intelligent safety features, T90 safeguards every drive-your security is always the priority. These systems include ABS, EBD, ESP, EBA, TPMS, and Hill Descent Control systems. Advanced traction and stability control keep you in command-whether tackling sharp turns, steep slopes, or rough terrain. Tested and rated 5 stars by ANCAP, the T90 meets the highest safety standards, ensuring confidence in every drive. It is equipped with front, sides and curtain airbags for maximum safety to the driver and passengers. In addition, you can navigate tight spaces effortlessly with rear parking sensors and 360° Parking Camera Assist.
AsiaOne
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- AsiaOne
Maxus Mifa 7 review: A large Chinese electric MPV that bucks the luxury trend, Lifestyle News
One interesting trend that we've noted in the flood of Chinese carmakers entering our market over the past year is that many of these brands seem to like large, luxurious MPVs. We've seen the likes of the Denza D9, GAC E9, Zeekr 009 and Xpeng X9 all debuting here within the last few months, and the thing they all have in common (other than the obvious numerical connection) is that they are all huge people carriers that pile on the luxe. But what if you just wanted a simple, no-frills family MPV at a reasonable price? Well, that's where the Maxus Mifa 7 steps in to fill the gap. What is Maxus? Maxus is one of the many Chinese car brands now available in Singapore, but they have a relatively low-key presence as compared to the ones that arrived over the past year with much fanfare. One reason is that Maxus does have a rather limited and specialised product lineup. The brand was actually introduced in Singapore all the way back in 2015, but its initial focus was on commercial vehicles, so it didn't exactly make much of a dent among consumers here. [[nid:693141]] It was only until 2023 that Maxus launched its first passenger car here, the gargantuan Mifa 9 electric MPV. While initially popular thanks to its excellent value proposition, its massive size meant that it wasn't the most ideal fit for Singapore's roads. A year later, Maxus introduced the Mifa 7, a slightly smaller MPV that the brand hopes would suit the Singaporean car buyer's palate better. How does the Mifa 7 fare then? Although the Mifa 7 is supposed to be a 'smaller' MPV, it's still a pretty sizeable car. The car measures in at over 4.9 metres long and 1.8 metres wide, and while it isn't quite like the gigantic Mifa 9 which is over 5.2 metres long and 2 metres wide, the Mifa 7 is still a relatively big MPV nonetheless. That said, it does feel rather manageable, thanks to handy 360-degree panoramic camera that's really rather useful when you need to manoeuvre around tight carparks. The car itself is fairly straightforward to drive too, once you get used to its dimensions. The steering is light and easy, though uncommunicative, and the car doesn't feel too cumbersome as you go round corners, although of course you can still sense its bulk and heft. The ride quality too is just about on par with what you would expect from a car like this. It's generally comfortable over most roads, but it doesn't exactly sooth you with the kind of plush sophistication that you get from its more luxurious rivals. Power comes from the single electric motor that drives the front wheels, and produces 241hp and 350Nm of torque. It's just about adequate to get the car moving, with the usual instantaneous EV torque that makes acceleration a relative breeze, but again this is a fairly large and heavy car, so don't expect it to blaze any trails on the road. All in all, the Mifa 7's overall driving experience can probably be probably best described as capable, in that it gets the job done without too much fuss, but it doesn't stand out in any particular manner either. Is the Mifa 7 worth the money then? Well, it does have a few things going for it. The interior packaging is superb, with the 3,200mm long wheelbase translating into lots and lots of cabin space for passengers, even for those consigned to the third row of seats. Again, this is not meant to be an ultra-luxurious MPV, so most of the standout features are more functional in nature rather than being posh. The sliding doors, for example, have a fairly wide opening, and there are grab handles and a wide step for easy access to the cabin. Up front, you get a simple and minimalist dashboard, dominated by the dual 12.3-inch driver instrument panel and infotainment control touchscreen, combined to look like one giant panoramic display. The lack of physical controls can be a touch distracting, but there are a set of touch-sensitive switches on the centre console ahead of the wireless charging pad that operates simple functions like locking and unlocking the doors, and operating the rear sliding doors, for example. Probably the standout premium feature on the car is the 8-speaker JBL sound system, but our test car's Luxury trim also comes without a number of features that one would expect in a car like this, such as ventilated and memory seats. You can get those on the more expensive Premium trim, but that's gonna cost you an additional $5,000. Nevertheless, that's still a fairly reasonable price for what is a relatively competent family MPV. Sure, it does without much of the luxurious trappings of some of the other large Chinese MPVs on the market, but its price tag of $228,999 inclusive of COE (as of May 2025) for the Luxury trim does undercut those offerings significantly. And if you want to save even more, Maxus has recently introduced a version of the Mifa 7 with a detuned power output of 145hp, allowing it to qualify for a Category A COE. Go for those and you're looking at a starting price of $208,999 with COE, which is an absolute steal for such a spacious people carrier. If all you're looking for is an easy drive and lots of interior room, and can do without premium frills, then the Maxus Mifa 7 should be very much right up your alley. [[nid:699288]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
