Photo: LEVC/autoevolution
Wait, is that a Bentley badge on the nose of this electric MPV? Oh, no it isn’t. It’s a winged emblem that belongs to LEVC, or London EV Company, formerly the London Taxi Corporation. Regardless of what you call them, they’re already famous for converting London’s popular black taxicabs into full-electric hybrid vehicles, and yes, you read that correctly.
You probably know the TX, which has already been fully integrated into London’s taxi fleet with help from LEVC’s parent company, Geely. Some of you might have also heard about the VN5, a plug-in hybrid panel van aimed at the likes of the Renault Kangoo ZE and the Nissan e-NV200. Yes? No? Maybe? Regardless, LEVC is looking to expand its business portfolio, morphing from a taxi manufacturer into a global EV mobility solutions provider.
With that in mind, they’ve just unveiled their first-ever product based on Geely’s innovative Space Oriented Architecture (SOA), dubbed the L380. What is it? Well, it’s a minivan, or MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) as people in Europe like to say.
They went with ‘L380’ because they felt inspired by the Airbus A380 airliner, the world’s largest passenger aircraft. This is to say that the L380 will also feature a spacious interior, by minivan standards, of course.
According to LEVC, this new model will be available with multiple seating configurations (either six or eight-seat layout), and it will make its debut in China initially (2024), before making its way to additional markets.
While official specifications have yet to be released, various reports indicate that the L380 will be powered by a single electric motor manufactured by CATL, good for 270 hp.
In terms of dimensions, this thing is 209.4 inches long, 78.7 inches wide and stands 76.4 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 125.4 inches. Basically, it’s bigger than your run-of-the-mill Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival.
“Building on our unrivalled heritage in producing the iconic London black cab, we have adapted our business to meet the rapidly accelerating demand for spacious, flexible electric vehicles. The L380 Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) debuts today and ushers in not one but two first for LEVC: it is our first model to be based on advanced, flexible Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) technology – and it also launches LEVC into an entirely new sector,” explained company CEO, Alex Nan.
He then went on to say that the L380 will set new standards for occupant-focused interior space, while raising the bar for these types of vehicles. The L380 also happens to be the first in a range of new models, so it’s best to keep our ears to the ground as LEVC might soon surprise us with more electric passenger vehicles.
As for whether the L380 is ever going to make its way to the United States, nothing’s been confirmed or denied just yet. We wouldn’t bet on it though.
With that in mind, they’ve just unveiled their first-ever product based on Geely’s innovative Space Oriented Architecture (SOA), dubbed the L380. What is it? Well, it’s a minivan, or MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) as people in Europe like to say.
They went with ‘L380’ because they felt inspired by the Airbus A380 airliner, the world’s largest passenger aircraft. This is to say that the L380 will also feature a spacious interior, by minivan standards, of course.
According to LEVC, this new model will be available with multiple seating configurations (either six or eight-seat layout), and it will make its debut in China initially (2024), before making its way to additional markets.
While official specifications have yet to be released, various reports indicate that the L380 will be powered by a single electric motor manufactured by CATL, good for 270 hp.
In terms of dimensions, this thing is 209.4 inches long, 78.7 inches wide and stands 76.4 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 125.4 inches. Basically, it’s bigger than your run-of-the-mill Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival.
“Building on our unrivalled heritage in producing the iconic London black cab, we have adapted our business to meet the rapidly accelerating demand for spacious, flexible electric vehicles. The L380 Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) debuts today and ushers in not one but two first for LEVC: it is our first model to be based on advanced, flexible Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) technology – and it also launches LEVC into an entirely new sector,” explained company CEO, Alex Nan.
He then went on to say that the L380 will set new standards for occupant-focused interior space, while raising the bar for these types of vehicles. The L380 also happens to be the first in a range of new models, so it’s best to keep our ears to the ground as LEVC might soon surprise us with more electric passenger vehicles.
As for whether the L380 is ever going to make its way to the United States, nothing’s been confirmed or denied just yet. We wouldn’t bet on it though.
Google News