Chinese brand LDV is preparing to take on the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria with a new car-based people mover, due in showrooms late this year or early next year with petrol, diesel and electric power.
The 2023 LDV G90 people mover is due in Australia in the coming months, government documents reveal, with what would become the most diverse choice of power options in its class: electric, petrol and/or diesel.
Australian government documents show LDV has approved a new people mover for sale locally, known as the G90 in petrol and diesel-powered forms – or Mifa 9 as an electric vehicle (EV).
Showroom arrival timing is yet to be outlined for the petrol and diesel models, however Drive understands these are slated for launch in 2023.
The electric Mifa 9 has been confirmed for a local launch in November 2022 in seven-seat form, ahead of an eight-seat model early next year.
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Whereas the G10 Wagon (axed late last year) the models replace was based on the G10 van, these new G90 and Mifa 9 variants are believed to be more closely related to a traditional passenger car than a van – akin to its main rival, the Kia Carnival.
There is no sign of a replacement for the G10 van, which is seven years old – and one of the best-selling models in the mid-size van class.
While receiving approval to sell a particular engine or model grade does not confirm it will reach showrooms, the government documents list three equipment levels (Elite, Luxury and Flagship) with 18- or 19-inch wheels, and petrol, diesel or electric propulsion.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, but the G90’s larger body, new technology (including advanced safety features not available on the G10) and luxury focus mean is unlikely to be as affordable as the G10 Wagon’s $31,490 drive-away base price.
Measuring 5280mm long, 2000mm wide and 1840-1845mm high, sitting on a 3200mm wheelbase, the G90 is approximately 110mm longer overall and 20mm wider than the G10 wagon, but 90mm lower, and underpinned by a near-identical wheelbase.
All models approved for sale as of writing are seven-seaters – though eight-seaters are set to follow, at least with electric power – while braked towing capacity is rated at up to 2000kg in petrol or diesel models, or 1000kg as an EV.
Petrol models are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 160kW, while diesels use a different 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder with 119kW. Both are believed to be front-wheel drive, with eight-speed automatic transmissions.
Meanwhile, the Mifa 9 – which LDV Australia has confirmed will be available in three model variants – will use a 180kW electric motor and a 90kWh battery pack, claimed to be capable of up to 440km on a charge in European WLTP testing.
A 20 to 80 per cent fast charge on a compatible DC socket is claimed to take 36 minutes, while a five to 100 per cent recharge on an AC home charger (at up to 11kW) is claimed to take 8.5 hours.
LDV Australia has previously confirmed a full suite of advanced safety features for the Mifa 9, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring – but it’s not confirmed if they will carry across to the petrol range.
None of these features were available on the old G10 Wagon (or current G10 van), which also lacked side airbag protection – coming standard only with two airbags, protecting front-seat occupants in frontal crashes. It received a three-star ANCAP safety rating in 2015.
LDV says it is targeting a five-star rating from ANCAP’s European counterpart, Euro NCAP, for the Mifa 9 – but it or its petrol and diesel siblings are yet to be tested by the independent safety authority.
The 2023 LDV Mifa 9 is due in Australian showrooms in November 2022, with the petrol and diesel 2023 LDV G90 expected on sale next year. Stay tuned to Drive for more details closer to launch.
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