Maxus MIFA 9 EV MPV launch attended by PM Anwar and four ministers – will it be the next kereta menteri?

5 months ago 79

Most car launches are usually quiet, closed affairs. Apart from large launches from section car brands, oregon peculiar occasions that are 1 of the archetypal of its kind, specified arsenic a locally-assembled electrical vehicle, you hardly ever spot ministers get involved.

This wasn’t the lawsuit with yesterday’s Maxus MIFA 9 launch. After all, it tin beryllium considered a niche model, an EV MPV from a comparatively chartless marque (while Maxus has been astir for a fewer years, income person been connected the debased side), 1 that is afloat imported arsenic a CBU, with nary CKD localisation plans mentioned.

Yet somehow, the lawsuit was attended by nary different than premier curate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim positive 4 different ministers. That’s a full of 5 furniture members astatine a car launch. It’s purely speculative for now, but this suggests that the MPV could good beryllium successful the moving to beryllium utilized arsenic the adjacent authoritative conveyance for section ministers.

This comes aft Anwar announced successful Budget 2024 that authorities authoritative car procurement volition move towards EVs adjacent year. The Maxus MIFA 9 is simply a beardown campaigner for the ministerial slots, fixed that it would beryllium a like-for-like replacement for the existent fleet of Toyota Vellfires, and an MPV would acceptable amended arsenic a chauffeur-driven authorities VIP conveyance than a Tesla.

A speedy recap of the Maxus MIFA 9. It measures 5,270 mm long, 2,000 mm wide and 1,840 mm tall, with a wheelbase that spans 3,200 mm, making it somewhat larger than the latest Toyota Alphard and Vellfire, which are 5,005 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, 1,950 mm gangly and person a 3,000 mm-long wheelbase.

The elaborate specifications of the powertrain are arsenic follows:

Electric centrifugal output: 245 PS (241 hp oregon 180 kW) and 350 Nm; FWD
0-100 km/h time: 9.2 seconds
Top speed: 180 km/h
Battery: 90 kWh ternary lithium-ion
Range (WLTP): 435 km (Luxury); 430 km (Premium)
AC charging: 11 kW (Type 2); 5-100% successful 8.5 hours
DC charging: 120 kW (CCS2); 30-80% successful 30 minutes

Standard instrumentality for some the Luxury and Premium variants of the MIFA 9 are dual power-sliding doors, 19-inch alloy wheels (different designs for each variant), LED headlamps and DRLs, LED rear fog lamps, LED taillights, heated broadside mirrors, beforehand and rear powered sunroofs arsenic good arsenic a powered tailgate.

Inside, determination are 3 rows of seats successful a 2-2-3 layout, with the 2nd enactment being idiosyncratic skipper chairs that connection heating, massage, ventilation and Ottoman functions.

What bash you deliberation of the anticipation of the MIFA 9 being chosen arsenic authorities VIP vehicles? Should the ministerial rides beryllium this, a Tesla oregon a CKD EV specified arsenic the Mercedes-Benz EQS, oregon should the authorities conscionable instrumentality to the tried and tested Vellfire formula? Share your views connected this successful the comments section.

GALLERY: 2024 Maxus MIFA 9 Premium