Latest news with #Maxus
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Qatar Tribune
Auto Class Cars launches its special summer offer on Maxus D60 and D90 max SUVs
Tribune News Network Doha Auto Class Cars, the authorized general distributor of Maxus in Qatar, launched a special summer offer on the MAXUS D60 and D90 max SUVs, allowing customers to enjoy the maximum driving pleasure and beat the heat. The vehicles are available at Auto Class Cars, the authorized general distributor of Maxus in Qatar, in its showroom on Salwa Road in Doha. Valid until 31 July 2025, the offer allows customers to buy the Maxus D60 at a starting price of QAR 59,000 with 5 years warranty or 130,000 km, and the Maxus D90 Max at a starting price of QAR 115,000 with 5 years warranty or 200,000 km (whatever comes first). The special offer allows new buyers to leverage a package of benefits including free registration and comprehensive insurance for the first year, and free window tinting. The Maxus vehicles can be purchased with 10% down payment and the option of inhouse financing with special rate interest through NBK Financial Services (Terms and conditions apply). Maxus D90 Max With Maximum torque up to 500 Nm and a maximum power of 160 kW, the Maxus D90 Max is equipped with 2.0L Turbo Petrol Engine that gives powerful performance of 247 HP. The 8-speed ZF transmission in the Maxus D90 Max both, increasing fuel efficiency by over 10 percent and delivering smoother acceleration and ride with improving fuel efficiency and enhancing performance. This precision-engineered transmission shifts through all 8 gears quickly and efficiently, promising a comfortable and responsive driving experience. The vehicle is an off-road warrior that conquer any terrain. It is equipped with the new ATS2.0 all-terrain system offering adaptability to 10 fixed terrain modes and 2 combination modes for unrivaled off-road performance. Utilize the 'Differential locks' feature for enhanced traction and the creep mode to maintain precise control on non-paved roads. With a unique and attractive design that combines SUVs and off-road vehicles, the Maxus D90 Max offers a different and modern driving experience. The unique compact design allows you to experience all terrain while providing a smooth ride on normal roads. Striking led hi-tech headlights are sharp eyes that make the car head look more sporty, and farther irradiation distance, low power and heat, energy saving and environmental protection, and long service life. The LED taillights in the Maxus D90 Max feature a modern design combined with a sporty character that extends along the rear fascia of the car, providing bright and clear lighting. Maxus D60 MAXUS D60 is a new SUV launched by SAIC-MAXUS, positioned in a medium-sized SUV and offers 7-seat layout. The D60 made its global debut with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine mated to a seven-speed DCT under its hood. This setup generates a decent 159hp and 250Nm of torque. Its massive octagonal grille up front features a honeycomb-like design. This is flanked by aggressive-looking swept-back headlamps as well as a pair of sporty fog lamps The D60 also gets a large 8-inch infotainment display up front, complemented by a 12.3-inch full LCD digital instrument panel. As a mid-sized SUV for family, it considers more on practicality in the interior design. A large area of soft material is used above the center console to highlight the good known as Leyland DAF Vans (LDV), Maxus is part of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC); it is among the most respected companies producing light passenger and cargo vehicles. It embodies a century of experience and unmatched technical prowess in commercial vehicle development. The full range of Maxus vehicles are available now in Auto Class Showroom on Salwa road.
WIRED
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- WIRED
The Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid Has Arrived in Rugged Style
Fitness for purpose. Take a deftly aimed power tool to all the marketing flim-flam, and you can't go far wrong with that mantra. There's no messing around when it comes to a pick-up truck, a vehicle that has a clear job to do, and in most cases does it admirably. Except that even this segment isn't immune to mission creep, and these hardy vehicles are now expected to double as workhorse and acceptable all-round family transport. The Ford F-150 may typify the breed, but outside of the US the Ranger has been in active duty for more than 40 years. A global player since 2011, it sells in 180 territories worldwide, and is particularly dominant in the European pick-up market. But get this, 80 percent of the Rangers sold in the UK last year were in Wildtrak spec, the version that swaddles the hard plastics in leather and ladles on the decals. It's—deep breath—a genuine lifestyle vehicle, beloved by the sort of buyers who actually do stuff rather than just think about it. Now, at last, there's an electrified version, though we're talking hybrid rather than the whole enchilada. Ford sells the fully electric Lightning in the US, where it's locked in battle with Tesla's Cybertruck (though neither is setting the sales chart aflame), but this is the closest Brits are going to get for the foreseeable at least. Only Chinese maker Maxus sells an electric pick-up in the UK, a vehicle we wouldn't recommend, and Toyota's indestructible Hi-Lux makes do with a mild hybrid setup. This makes the Ranger PHEV a significant new arrival. It shares its platform hardware with the VW Amarok, and is manufactured in Ford's Silverton plant in South Africa. Until now, engine options have been limited to a 2.0-liter petrol or 3.0-liter diesel. The new car uses Ford's excellent 2.3-liter 'Ecoboost' turbo petrol unit (as previously seen in the Focus and Mustang), bolstered by a 75-kW (100-bhp) electric motor, packaged within the bell-housing of the 10-speed automatic transmission. Pick-Up Philosophy It's fed by an 11.8-kWh battery (usable) that sits under the Ranger's load bed. Despite its compact size, that still necessitated modifications to the vehicle's ladder frame chassis, resulting in a 20-millimeter bulge. (It has a 1-metric-ton payload and can accommodate a Euro pallet between the wheelhouses.) An electronically controlled clutch engages and disengages the e-motor and combustion engine, switching between petrol, hybrid, and electric propulsion. Visual differences are limited to a second filler flap on the near-side rear wing, with a lightning bolt logo on it, which hides the charging port for the battery. On a 7-kW wall charger, it takes about 2.5 hours to charge. Here's how it works. EV Auto is the default setting, blending electric and petrol power in a way best suited to everyday use, or if you're towing or lugging a heavy load. EV Now does what it says: This is for electric driving only, Ford claiming a range of around 26 miles (WLTP). EV Later allows the driver to store electric energy, particularly useful if you're heading into the city or a zero-emission zone. Finally, there's EV Charge, which sees the petrol engine charge the high-voltage battery, though it won't top it up by all that much. In addition to those, the PHEV maintains the driving modes used in extant Ranger models: Normal, Eco, Slippery, Tow/Haul, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. This new Ranger variant is clearly messing with the sacred strictures of the pick-up philosophy.
The Independent
19-06-2025
- 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.
