NZ taking three versions of electric MPV, base car priced for Clean Car.

POTENTIAL for the first fully electric offer out of China in the people carrier sector achieving a Clean Car rebate has been achieved.

Local market information about the seven-seater LDV MIFA 9 was shared with New Zealand motoring commentators in Auckland today, and it’s a bombshell – with the entry edition, called Elite, coming here for $79,990.

That’s $10 inside the cut-off for the $8625 rebate and the same price LDV asks for its eT60, the only dual cab ute that provides with full electric, albeit as a rear-drive product. It has a smaller battery, less power and less range than the MIFA 9.

LDV will also have medium Luxury and high specification Premium versions of the MIFA 9, these respectively for $99,990 and $119,990.

All three models are significantly cheaper in our market than in Australia, where they sell – with different model designation names – for $114,000, $126,000 and just under $142,000.

When asked why the products were so much cheaper here, the brand’s national general manager Andrew Bayliss said: “You’ll have to ask the Australians.”

MIFA 9 runs a common 180kW/230Nm single motor set-up driving the front wheel and fed by a 90kWh lithium-ion battery, with a maximum range of 440 kilometres assuming average consumption at a rate of between 21.3kWh and 21.8kWh per 100km.

The entry version of a product whose name expands to ‘Maximum, Intelligent, Friendly, Artistic’ logically seems set to be a threat to the market’s two most popular petrol MPVs, the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey, which respectively start at $74,990 and $60,000.

The only mains-replenished rival for MIFA 9 at present are the Mercedes Benz e-Vito Tourer ($127,030) and EQV ($166,350), which run a 150kW/365Nm single motor running off a 90kWh battery for 351 kilometres and 343 kilometres’ range respectively, also on the WLTP scale.

Across the board features for MIFA 9 are LED lights, including indicators, black leatherette trim, heated side mirrors, remote keyless entry and start, multi-zone climate control, 12.3-inch infotainment display, seven-inch driver information display and seven USB ports dotted around the cabin.

The entry and mid-range models running on 18-inch wheels and the Premium goes to 19s. Model weights range from 2310kg to 2530kg, and all have a tow rating of 1000kg (against 2000kg for the petrol). Suspension is MacPherson strut at the front, multi-link coil spring at the rear and disc brakes are fitted all-round.

The type appears to have more advanced safety technologies than the eT60 ute. Blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, driver attention alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control are all standard. There is no ANCAP or NCAP crash test score.

Replenishing the 90kWh battery pack takes around 8.5 hours via an 11kW charger, while using a DC fast-charger sees the array charged from 30–80 per cent in 36 minutes. It is thought the range claim is with just two occupants aboard and that it will reduce when all seats are filled.

Premium specifies with Captain’s Chairs that come with heating, cooling, massage and recline function and is aimed at corporate transport companies or hotels keen on running a lower-emissions fleet.

Features include fold-out tray tables, footrests, individual touchscreen controls for the multi-zone climate control, 7 USB ports, a 220V power outlet and a 12-speaker sound system.

These are additional to features on the Luxury, which has auto up and down power windows, rain-sensing wipers, auto fold side mirrors, front and rear sunroofs, rear privacy glass, leather steering wheel, electric adjustable front seats, second-row electric adjustable seats, electric powered sliding side doors and tailgate, 64-colour ambient lighting, an eight-speaker system over the Mode’s six-speakers, two 12v sockets, one 220v socket and a wireless mobile phone charging pad. The MIFA 9 has wired Apple CarPlay but no Android Auto connectivity.

The sliding third row seating allows up to 1010 litres of available luggage space when all seven seats are filled, and up to 2179 litres when just four seats are occupied.