Earlier this year, we reported thatΒ SAICΒ launched its new electric pickup truck, the Maxus eTerron 9, at the IAA Hanover Auto Show in Germany. However, the pickup truck has now become a diesel and is set to launch on December 18 in China.
The Maxus eTerron 9 is known in China as the Maxus Interstellar X. Itβll be the first model to feature SAICβs new ΟPlus 2.5T diesel engine. This supplies a maximum power of 165 kW and a peak talk of 520NM. In the Interstellar X, this is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The diesel engine is a surprise. Initially, the truck was seen as the GST concept at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show. An EV, it featured a large drone housed in the truckβs frunk along with mountain bikes in the back, emphasizing an outdoor lifestyle. Then, in September, the production version launched in Germany, also as an EV.
At the front, the diesel version gets an imposing grill, while the EV has a largely enclosed front and a very different light setup. In all other aspects, right down to the wheels, the versions otherwise seem the same. The dimensions are 5500/2005/1860, and the wheelbase is 3300mm. This is the same as the EV version, although it should be noted that there is also a larger version with a length of 5630 mm. There is reportedly also an off-road version equipped with a diesel engine, which has a length of 5620 mm.
The Interstellar X is a proper body-on-frame pickup truck. At the front, it is equipped with double wishbone independent suspension and air suspension, and there are three mechanical differential locks on the front, middle, and rear. Off-road versions come with a choice of 3 piece spring-loaded rear suspension, five-piece spring-loaded rear suspension, or multi-link suspension. The towing capacity of the off-road version is either 3300 kg or 3495 kg, whereas for the regular version, it is 3500 kg
Inside, the pickup comes with dual 12.3-inch screens and a JBL sound system. It also has a rearview streaming mirror, a heated steering wheel, front seats with ventilation functions, and 50W wireless phone charging.
It is currently unclear whether it is just the diesel version which is launching in China on December 18 or whether the EV version will also be launched the same date.
Sources: Autohome, Dongchedi
