LDV confirms Mifa people mover for Oz

LDV has confirmed the arrival of its Mifa people-mover in Australian showrooms to succeed the recently discontinued G10 from November, when it will do battle with the segment-dominating Kia Carnival as well as the Hyundai Staria and Honda Odyssey.

To be offered in three trim grades – Mode, Executive and Luxe – the Mifa provides seating for seven or eight passengers and is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which delivers 160kW and 360Nm via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Pricing is yet to be announced.

LDV says the Mifa is “safe, stylish and technologically advanced” and will bring the latest safety and technologies to the segment. Depending on the variant, the Mifa will be available with captain’s chairs in the first-and second rows, which may be configured for each of access, while footrests and fold-out tray tables “allow passengers to travel business class every day”.

The Mifa will arrive with a high level of standard safety equipment across the range with features including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (front and rear), lane departure warning, rear collision warning and speed assist system.

“The all-new LDV Mifa is a glimpse into the future,” said LDV general manager Dinesh Chinappa.

“Every new Mifa model will come with a significant level of standard safety equipment, convenient features, fuel-efficient powertrain and more for hard-working Australian families.

“While it might not share the heart of its electric sibling, the Mifa 9, it does share the fundamentals of evolutionary design, passenger comfort, safety and more. It has advanced the people mover game significantly and we’re looking forward to redefining the segment that has, until now, been dominated by two brands.

“The imminent arrival of the all-new Mifa marks clear intent from LDV to offer a striking and luxurious people mover that continues to deliver on LDV’s long-standing commitment to safety and value-packed vehicles.”

Mr Chinappa said full details relating to the LDV Mifa, including specification and pricing, will be communicated in mid-November.

LDV is also expected to introduce Australia’s first battery-electric ute in November, the eT60 two-wheel drive as one of three all-electric models the Chinese brand will debut locally over the coming months.

The EV ute marks a fundamental step-change in product strategy at LDV, where the brand was once synonymous with value-driven motoring but is now quickly setting the agenda for commercial electric vehicles in Australia.

Powered by an 88.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, good for a combined WLTP of 330km, the LDV eT60 is capable of DC fast-charging from 20 to 80 per cent battery capacity in approximately 45 mins or from five to 100 per cent using an 11kw charger takes approximately nine hours.

Other upcoming electric models from LDV include the eDeliver 9, an electrified version of LDV’s segment-leading large van and an electric version of the Mifa.

Full details, specification and pricing of the eT60, eDeliver 9 and Mifa 9 will be revealed during the launch phase in November.