- SAIC-owned MAXUS has unveiled the new eTerron 9 pickup at IAA Hannover.
- Slightly larger than the Ford Ranger, it has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 436 hp.
- European sales are set to begin later this year, promising a WLTP range of 267 miles.
The Chinese invasion of Europe continues, but the latest entry is interesting as it’s an electric pickup. This one hails from MAXUS, a brand under SAIC, which also owns MG. While the latter is a household name, MAXUS was looking to make a splash at IAA Hannover with their new eTerron 9 . It’s billed as “Europe’s first 4×4 electric serial pickup truck built on a dedicated electric platform.”
MAXUS didn’t wax poetic, but the truck features a “New Electrified Mecha” design which sees the model wear a fully enclosed grille that is flanked by vertical headlights with C-shaped daytime running lights. They’re joined by a powered frunk, which opens to reveal 8.3 cubic feet (236 liters) of storage space.
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Elsewhere, there’s edgy bodywork and plastic body cladding. They’re joined by a power tailgate and an Avalanche-like midgate, which extends the bed into the cabin at the touch of a button. This setup allows the truck to easily haul items up to 94.5 inches (2,400 mm) long.
In terms of dimensions, the pickup truck stretches to a length of 216.5 inches (5,500 mm), which makes it 5.5 inches (140 mm) longer than the Ford Ranger and 6.9 inches (175 mm) bigger than the Toyota Hilux.
While the exterior is generic, the cabin is surprisingly delightful as it features two-tone leather as well as freestanding displays. They’re joined by metallic accents, a floating center console, and a two-spoke steering wheel.
Buyers will also find 20 storage compartments as well as an eight-way power driver’s seat with ventilation and massage functions. MAXUS added both front seats can be folded down to create a nearly flat sleeping surface that measures 66.9 inches (1,700 mm) long.
Performance and Charging Capabilities
Power is provided by a 102 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, which provides a WLTP range of 267 miles (430 km). When it becomes low, a 115 kW DC fast charger will take the battery from a 20% to 80% charge in approximately 40 minutes. That’s a tad slow, but the truck has a Vehicle to Load function that enables the battery to power multiple 2.2 kW and 6.6 kW outlets.
If you’re more concerned about powering the wheels than powering tools, you’ll be happy to learn the truck has a dual motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 436 hp (325 kW / 442 PS). It enables the pickup to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.8 seconds.
The eTerron 9 has a semi-monocoque, which promises to combine the advantages of both unibody and body-on-frame construction. That seems to be the case as the model has a towing capacity of up to 7,716 lbs (3,500 kg) and a maximum payload of 1,367 lbs (620 kg).
Other highlights include a height-adjustable air suspension and an assortment of driving modes including Normal, Sand, Mud, and Custom.
European sales are slated to begin in the fourth quarter and we can expect to learn more later this year.
