Geely-owned LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) shared official spy shots of L380 MPV undergoing winter tests in China. It is a 5.3-meter-long multi-purpose vehicle with a 6 or 8-seat layout. The L380 stands on the SOA platform dedicated to commercial vehicles.
LEVC L380 winter tests
We call these spy shots “official” since they were made and sent to outlets by the manufacturer. The photos show the LEVC L380 wrapped in colorful camouflage with an “Innovation” inscription. This MPV stays in line with the version disclosed in MIIT announcements earlier regarding styling. It has an elongated body with retractable door handles and two-storied headlights. We can also see the air intake in the front with a mm-wave radar.
LEVC didn’t specify the location of those winter tests. But we can assume it is next to Yakeshi city, Inner Mongolia. It is the coldest place in China, with an average temperature of around minus 30 °C. Lots of manufacturers test their vehicles here.
It was disclosed that the LEVC L380 will have several ternary NMC battery options made by the CATL-Geely joint venture. The entry-level pack will have a capacity of 73 kWh. The top-trim L380 will have a 120-kWh battery on board. Its range will be around 600 km. The LEVC 380 will charge 200 km of range in 10 minutes. It will require 30 mins to charge from 10% to 80%.
More on LEVC L380
LEVC is a successor to the British London Taxi Company, founded in 1919. In 2012, Geely acquired it, so LEVC focused on manufacturing new energy vehicles. Currently, its model line comprises a single model called TX. It is available in EREV and BEV versions.
On December 8, the LEVC L380 applied for a sales license in China. In the regulator’s announcement, it was called “Xspace”. But LEVC made an update, clarifying that the official name of this multi-purpose vehicle is L380. It is a reference to the Airbus A380.
The L380 has 5316/1998/1940 mm dimensions with a wheelbase of 3185 mm. For clarity, it is 63 mm longer, 1 mm wider, and 50 mm lower than the Hyundai Staria. Inside, the L380 has 6 or 8 seats. This MPV has a single electric motor from VREMT (Geely’s subsidiary) on board for 200 kW (268 hp).
It is unclear if the L380 will sell in the UK only or if it will also be available in China. We will monitor the situation, so stay tuned!
Source: Autohome
A bit less flat-nosed, it reminds me of the replacement for VW’s Type III van….the one that never really got off the ground, globally. I can picture it with a surfboard on the roof.
Please bring this to Europe!