Maxus eTerron 9 debuts as a 436-horsepower electric pickup truck

The eTerron 9 is larger than the Hilux and Ranger and has a range of up to 267 miles

Chinese cars continue to make inroads into Europe, but the latest to hit the market is an electric pickup truck, which is quite interesting. The car comes from MAXUS, a brand owned by SAIC, which also owns MG. While MG is a household name, MAXUS is hoping to make a splash at the IAA in Hannover with the launch of the new eTerron 9. It’s being billed as “Europe’s first 4×4 electric production pickup truck built on a dedicated electric platform.”

MAXUS doesn’t wax poetic about this truck, but it features a “new electric mecha” design that features a fully enclosed grille flanked by vertical headlights with C-shaped daytime running lights. They’re connected by a power trunk that opens to reveal 8.3 cubic feet (236 liters) of storage space.

Elsewhere, the bodywork is futuristic and covered in plastic. They are connected by a power tailgate and an avalanche-style mid-door that extends into the cab at the push of a button. This setup allows the truck to easily haul items up to 94.5 inches (2,400 mm) long.

In terms of size, the pickup is 216.5 inches (5,500 mm) long, which is 5.5 inches (140 mm) longer than the Ford Ranger and 6.9 inches (175 mm) larger than the Toyota Hilux.

Although the exterior is plain, the cabin is surprisingly pleasing to the eye, as it features two-tone leather and independent display screens, which are linked together by metal trim, a floating center console, and a two-spoke steering wheel.

Buyers will also find 20 storage compartments and an eight-way power driver’s seat with ventilation and massage functions. MAXUS has added that both front seats can be folded down to create a nearly flat sleeping surface with a length of 66.9 inches (1,700 mm).

Performance and Charging Capabilities

Power is provided by a 102 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery that provides 267 miles (430 km) of WLTP range. When the charge is low, a 115 kW DC fast charger will top up the battery from 20% to 80% in about 40 minutes. That’s a bit slow, but the truck has a “vehicle to load” feature that allows the battery to power multiple 2.2 kW and 6.6 kW outlets.

If you’re more concerned with driving the wheels than what you drive, you’ll be happy to know that this truck is equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with a total output of 436 hp (325 kW / 442 PS). It enables the pickup to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.8 seconds.

The eTerron 9 is a semi-monocoque that promises to combine the best of both unibody and body-on-frame construction. This appears to be the case, as the model has a towing capacity of up to 7,716 lbs (3,500 kg) and a maximum payload of 1,367 lbs (620 kg).

Other highlights include height-adjustable air suspension and various driving modes including Normal, Sand, Mud and Custom.

European sales are expected to begin in the fourth quarter, and we should hopefully learn more later this year.