Europe gets its first AWD electric pickup truck and yes, it’s from China

The first all-wheel-drive mid-size electric pickup truck to grace European roads is here. Ford dipped its toes with the F-150 Lightning landing in Norway earlier this year, but then went quiet. So Maxus stepped in and got the honor of being the first in the niche.

The eTerron 9 swooped in, claiming the title and leaving the likes of Rivian, Ford, and Toyota in its dust. It actually packs a decent punch with two electric motors - a 170 hp motor on the front axle and a beefier 272 hp motor at the rear - for combined 442 hp output. This translates to a respectable towing capacity of 7,700 lb and a payload capacity of 1,367 lb.

The eTerron 9's 102 kWh battery, promises an official range of 267 miles on the WLTP cycle. When it's time to recharge, the truck supports up to 115 kW input, allowing a 20-80% charge in approximately 40 minutes.

The eTerron 9 is ready for any terrain with its All-Terrain System (ATS), offering six driving modes, including Normal, Mud, and Sand. For those who like to fine-tune their driving experience, individual adjustments for steering, engine power, suspension, energy recovery, and stability control response are also available.

This electric pickup is also a mobile power station. Thanks to bi-directional charging technology, multiple 2.2 kW sockets in the 8.3 ft³ frunk and a 6.6 kW socket in the 94.5 inches-long bed, it can easily power various tools and equipment.

Inside, the eTerron 9 offers leather-clad seats with ventilation and massage for the driver, while both front seats recline to create a near-flat sleeping area, perfect for camping or overnight trips. An Easy Load mode lowers the suspension by 60mm when needed. Standard features like Lane Departure Warning are among many other driver-assist functions.

Measuring 216.5 inches in length, the eTerron 9 is slightly larger than a Ford Ranger and over 30 cm shorter than the F-150. While pricing details are yet to be announced, it's expected to be positioned above its smaller cousin T90EV, which starts at $65,890 in the UK before VAT.

Maxus will open orders for the eTerron 9 in October, with deliveries slated to begin in January 2025. The arrival of the eTerron 9 is, beyond doubt, a significant milestone in the European electric vehicle market. It will be interesting to see how far it undercuts the $95,000 European F-150.

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