Luxgen launches world’s first seven-seat EV

BUDDING Taiwanese car-maker Luxgen has launched what it claims is the world’s first seven-passenger electric vehicle, the MPV EV+.

First seen in concept form in March, after Luxgen’s initial excursion outside Taiwan to the 10th Dubai motor show in late December when the upcoming Luuxgen7 SUV was also unveiled, the all-electric luxury people-mover is unlikely to be seen on Australian roads.

A spokesman for Luxgen told GoAuto the two-year-old vehicle brand is yet to formulate a launch plan for Australia, with initial targets outside mainland southeast Asia including the Middle East, China and Russia.

Based on the emerging Asian brand’s first self-designed model, the Luxgen7 MPV, the EV version’s floor-mounted lithium-ion battery pack is said to offer a zero-emissions driving range of more than 300km – much more than most all-electric vehicle – albeit at a constant 40km/h.

Other noteworthy statistics include claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in a respectable 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 145km/h.

No fresh details have been announced for the plug-in seven-seater, two fresh images of which have now been issued, but Luxgen says the MPV EV+ delivers outstanding and unparalleled EV performance and is now ready for mass production.

“While the majority of vehicles worldwide are still consuming none-renewable fossil fuel, Luxgen, which started the research and development of electric vehicle technology years in advance, has launched the world’s first seven-passenger EV,” says the company.

“EV could be seen as the only option that generates no carbon emissions and delivers eco-friendly clean power when comparing with other fuel technologies such as LPG and hybrid power.

“Drastic climate changes are largely the result of industrial activities and have rapidly become the biggest threat to humanity. However, the full impact has not been fully grasped by the policy-makers and the general public.

“To take initiative in corporate social responsibility and further accomplishing the prospect of environmental protection, Luxgen offers a perfect choice for those visionaries with intention to contribute their part in protecting the environment - the Lixgen7 MPV EV+.”

As we reported in March, Luxgen’s first EV is produced in conjunction with joint R&D partner AC Propulsion and employs a 180kW/265Nm AC induction motor, which the car-maker claims sets new performance benchmarks for EV. Regenerative braking and vehicle-to-grid technologies are also fitted.

The front-wheel-drive MPV, Luxgen’s only current production model, is powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Fitted with a Delphi engine management system, Garrett turbocharger and five-speed 10-mode Aisin automatic transmission, it develops 235kW and 275Nm of torque.

The Luxgen MPV measures 4845mm long, 1876mm wide and 1768mm high, and comes with a host of high-tech equipment, including a locally-developed ‘Side View’ blind spot monitoring system, ‘Eagle View’ 360-degree surround imaging, night vision and lane departure warning systems, plus a Windows-based driver interface system with multimedia, phone, navigation, safety and information functions.

Taiwan’s inaugural vehicle brand was established in 2008 by the Yulon Group, which was founded in 1949, began manufacturing vehicles in 1953 and now claims to be Taiwan’s largest automotive manufacturer, with plants in Taiwan, mainland China and the Philippines.