Saic Maxus Luton
Maxus is a reputed brand of Luton vehicles under the parent company SAIC. Based in China Maxus Luton vans are known for their high efficiency, superb reliability, and outstanding performance. Maxus is leading the charge in the segment of electric vehicle and light commercial industries.
Diesel and Electric Lutons
Although the Maxus Luton vans: eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9 conform to the standard conventions for a van like the usual cargo and passenger space, they are one of the quirkier vans on sale in the market. They are diesel vans with an optional combo of an electric motor and a battery, these Luton vans are very different from other identical vans available in a similar price bracket.
If you aren’t familiar with the Maxus brand, then you would be surprised to know that it is the new name for what used to be LDV in the UK. It has been acquired and improvised by Chinese automotive giant SAIC in 2010 under the name Maxus. The change was finalized globally in the year 2020.
What are Saic Maxus Luton vans all about?
The Maxus Luton vans are diesel or electric vans. It is purely an electric van and is not a hybrid variant. It was designed to be all-electric and hence was built using lightweight materials such as aluminum and composites for compensating for the heft of the batteries. This feature is all beneficial when it comes to managing payload, performance, and driving range.
The most striking feature of these vans is their unusual size. These vans sit right between typical small vans and medium vans. Their load space is slightly bigger than the former and is more compact than any typical medium-sized van. A long-wheelbase chassis cab is also available for use in bespoke conversions. However, its sale is currently restricted.
Revolutionizing the transport industry
The Maxus Luton wants have been built on maximizing driver comfort, safety, and reliability thereby redefining the light commercial vehicle industry. Available in 52.5KW or 35 KW battery configuration with a 90KW/250Nm motor, this battery-motor combo produces an impressive range of up to 213 miles. Designed cleverly to maximize performance and payload, the Maxus Luton vans are truly robust in design.
Body structure
Designed on aerodynamic principles, the Saic Maxus Luton vans lowers wind resistance and also the overall load of the entire vehicle. A large number of composite materials and aluminum alloys have gone into designing the sturdy design. There is a strong emphasis on the design that can be seen in the payload and strength.
Interiors
If you take a look at the cabin, you will feel everything is made of plastic. However, it doesn’t feel cheap. It has a nice blend of shiny plastic and durability. The light-colored plastics can get smudged easily as it is a commercial vehicle after all. The flat-bottomed steering wheel and drive mode selector dial are impressive. It doesn’t come with a gear stick. The result is that there is more room and less intrusion. The tough screen that sits in the center of the dash makes the interiors more compelling. The sporty seats, air conditioning, armrests, Apple CarPlay, sat nav, USB, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity, cup holders, storage, and more make it a complete package.
Power Train
SAIC Luton vans are undoubtedly leaders when it comes to technical revolution. They have been continually leading the way in the development of new solutions and technology in the automotive industry. A part of that revolution also includes major contributions to battery technology. They have worked on a number of battery options for their Luton vans in the form of using various battery cooling options. This allowed them to cut down charging time, increase operating range, and also extend battery life.
Driver comfort and safety
The Maxus Luton vans allow the drivers to stay calm, cool, and in control while driving. The air conditioning system was given a strong emphasis while designing the vehicle. Equipped with electrically heated side mirrors ensure greater rear-view visibility regardless of the weather conditions.
The Lane Departure Warning System can smartly identify of the van is changing lanes despite low-visibility conditions which is quite remarkable. Also, a visual and acoustic signal alters the driver of any potential threat. The High Beam Recognition system activates and deactivates the main beam headlights for improving visibility at the night. It also lowers the risk of dazzling. It also automatically recognizes vehicles driving in the opposite direction which makes it a safe option for drivers carrying loads at the night.
Driving range of Maxus Luton vans
You have two battery size options: 35 Kilowatt-hours and 50.23 Kilowatt-hour. Both of these rely on ternary lithium polymer technology that is also used by Tesla. The vehicle has a combined driving range of 99 miles which increases to 140 miles in exclusively urban driving. Here the stop and start of the traffic keep the batteries topped up. The curb weight is 400kg less than its Stellantis-competitors. This makes a huge difference to the efficiency of the drive system. Maxus has demonstrated exceptionally accurate range predictions and remains unfazed by motorway speeds. This is a strong reason to opt for this electric van seriously.
How long does it take to charge Maxus Luton vehicles?
If you are using a DC rapid charger that you come across in public charging network, then it would take 45 minutes for an 85 percent charge for either battery pack size. If you are using an AC charging unit that is found in the workplace or domestic wall box charges, then it would take 6 hours for a smaller battery and eight hours for the larger battery to be fully charged.
Practical use
If you don’t need more than 4.8 cubic meters of load space and can manage the complexities involved with running an electric van, then Maxus Luton vehicles do a perfectly reasonable job. The complexities come with a longer time to recharge the battery while using an AC source when compared to refueling with diesel. If you can manage it, then the vehicle does exceptionally well. Although the eDeliver 3 range is a two-seater vehicle with no passenger bench option, you can manage if you don’t have any such requirements.
Is it any good?
Maxus Luton vans’ specifications are quite accurate and within the range prediction to the official figures. It is one of the best electric drive systems you will come across in a vehicle. It is easy to drive and delivers exceptional performance. Although its pricing puts it in direct competition with other mainstream electric vans, it is cheaper to run. With a large load space, fewer quirks, and higher payloads, you will find it likable if your requirements suit the specifications.
Van Manufacturer: Saic Maxus
Advantages
- Speedy performance
- 45 minutes to charge to 85 percent battery capacity with a DC source
- Optimized construction
- Low running charges
- The good payload for its size
- Accurate and reliable driving range
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