BYD has quietly added a brand new electrical MPV to its UK line-up, which appears to be like to tempt taxi drivers with greater than 250 miles of vary and a capacious cabin.
Autocar has discovered official UK specs for the second-generation e6, a five-seat MPV based mostly on the Chinese language-market Tune Max. Though BYD refused to provide extra particulars, a launch right here is anticipated to be imminent.
The unique BYD e6 was the Chinese language agency’s debut mannequin within the UK, arriving in 2013, when the model was little-known and EV expertise was nonetheless in its nascence.
Offered in low volumes, primarily to taxi companies, it had a real-world vary of round 140 miles and efficiency that in contrast favourably with different early EVs and ICE alternate options. Nevertheless, priced at £47,000 (equal to £67,000 right now), it was far costlier than the likes of the Nissan Leaf and Vauxhall Ampera and was pulled from the UK after only a yr.
The sleeker second-generation e6, touchdown in 2021, is expounded to its predecessor in identify solely. It is already bought in different right-hand-drive markets, together with Australia, the place it is priced roughly in keeping with the MG ZS EV, suggesting a UK worth within the low-£30,000s is feasible.
At 4695mm lengthy, with a wheelbase of 2800mm, the e6 is barely bigger than Stellantis’s small-van-based MPVs (the Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Companion, Toyota Proace and Vauxhall Combo) however smaller than the likes of the Volkswagen ID Buzz and Lexus LM.
Outfitted with a chunky 71.7Wh battery, it is able to a aggressive 258 miles per cost on the WLTP check cycle. Nevertheless, it has a most charging pace of simply 60kW so wants 90 minutes to get from 0-80% on a Sort 2 quick charger.
A single motor on the entrance axle makes 94bhp, taking the e6 from 0-62mph in 18.0sec.
Bolstering the automotive’s attraction with city-based taxi drivers can be its capacious, flat-floored cabin, 580-litre boot and 11.2-metre turning circle – the latter roughly in keeping with the Volkswagen Golf.
