The MG U9 EV has officially landed in Australia, and it’s going to be a trial by fire. In the land of the utes, MG’s fully electric pickup does not shy away from its lifestyle branding, as it offers “everyday practicality with the capability for weekends away.”
But while the U9 isn’t positioned to be a workhorse, it does have some pretty promising numbers to inspire some confidence. First, it’s powered by two electric motors and a beefy 102.2kWh battery. With all-wheel drive and a four-wheel electronic air suspension system, it’s rated for 436hp and 700Nm of torque.
MG also claims that it should get around 430km on a full charge, along with a high-capacity AC/DC charging architecture. Specifically, that’s a maximum of 11kW via AC and 115kW on a DC charger. With the latter, a 20-80% power-up should take just 42 minutes.
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As for traditional pickup use, the U9 also boasts a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg and a maximum payload weight of 685kg. And because it isn’t carrying a chunky engine, it can accommodate an additional 236 liters in its front trunk.
MG’s electric pickup is also Vehicle-to-Load-capable, with plugs mounted on the interior and exterior. The U9 also gets a 360-degree camera system and a wealth of creature comforts inside the cabin.
These include heating, cooling, and massaging front seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, and an eight-speaker setup from JBL. That’s all wrapped in leather upholstery and a relatively low-key aesthetic.
How does the fully electric U9 sound so far? Should Toyota and its Hilux BEV look out?
