Up until now Geely owned LEVC was best known for producing the electrified TX London taxi and the spin-off VN5 panel van. Tonight in Wuzhen, China, the brand launched the new L380 a large pure electric MPV. Unusually the model can be configured with between 3 and 8 seats – which might account for the model name. There are four models in the range and prices range from 379,000 to 479,000 yuan (52,300 – 66,050 USD). The models are as follows:
| Model | Price |
| 100 kWh 6-seater Air | 379,900 yuan (52,300 USD) |
| 116 kWh 6-seater Pro | 439,900 yuan (60,550 USD) |
| 140 kWh 8-seater 4WD Max | 479,900 yuan (66,050 USD) |
| 140 kWh 6-seater 4WD Ultra | 479,900 yuan (66,050 USD) |
Even not so eagle-eyed readers should be able to spot that the model list only covers 6 and 8-seater versions. LEVC in the launch illustrated 3, 4, 5, and 7 seat configurations but it is unclear how these are obtained. The answer most probably lies in the rails on the floor which give the car a modular capability. Overall there seems to be an emphasis on comfort rather than simply being a people mover. Unusually as an 8-seater the L380 takes a 2+2+2+2 layout with both the second and third rows having individual chairs. One of the interior pictures shows that at least some of the seats can be rotated around to create a meeting space.
Inspiration comes from luxury airline travel with the seats like first-class chairs. These can recline for sleeping and are clad in soft, semi-aniline leather. The seats contrast with Alcantara fabrics, bright chromes and crystals for the rest of the cabin.
There is a 2.18m-sq panoramic glass roof which gives the cabin an airy feel but can also be intelligently dimmed. Second-row passengers can benefit from screens mounted on the back of the front seats. Various elements of the cabin design take inspiration from both China and the UK. There are traditional Chinese Ruyi shaped air vents, and a meteor shower lighting effect integrates London icons including Tower Bridge and Big Ben.
In front, the LEVC L380 has an LCD instrument panel and a large floating infotainment screen. The drive selector is on a steering wheel-mounted stalk rather than on the center console. Running the user experience is the L-OS which is a digital platform technology which goes from chip to cloud. At its heart is the Antora 1000 Pro chip from eCarX with 16 TOPS computing power. This can provide a high level of functionality and variety of content. The L-OS system creates a complete digital operating system running from driver-assistance systems to the intelligent cockpit.
Buyers can choose from Pearl White, Ink Jade Black, Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green for the exterior which LEVC say was inspired by aircraft aerodynamics. The MPV has a floating roof design and the wheel design was influenced by the London Eye Ferris Wheel.
The L380 measures in at 5316, 1998 and 1940 mm (l/w/h) and the wheelbase is 3185 mm. It rides on the Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) platform developed by LEVC in conjunction with Geely and it is a commercial vehicle-oriented version of Geely’s SEA platform. According to LEVC this platform will be used to broaden the brand’s line up in the future.
Single motor versions use a 200 kW maximum power motor which according to Autohome is on the front axle, which seems surprising. Dual motor versions add the same 200 kW motor to the other axle, the motor has peak torque of 343 Nm. Acceleration for the dual motor version is just 5.5 seconds. There are three battery pack capacities of 100, 116 and 140 kWh respectively. The 140 kWh pack uses CATL’s 3.0 Qilin battery which has an energy density of 200 Wh/kg. This gives range of 512 miles (819 km) according to LEVC using CLTC and the battery can add 350 km of range in 15 minutes. Note Chinese sources all give the range as 805 km rather than the figure in LEVC’s press release.
The L380 features the world’s first combination of double ball joint McPherson suspension and air spring design on top spec versions, lower versions have CDC variable damping shock absorbers.
There are eleven airbags through the interior and LEVC claims the L380 is the only model in its class equipped with airbags for all three rows of passengers. The side curtain airbag alone is 112 liters per side. Currently, there is no Euro NCAP rating but LEVC are anticipating a five star rating.
Design of the L380 was led by LEVC’s Global Chief Design Officer, Brett Boydell in Ansty, Coventry but input came from across Geely’s design network. Sales will initially be limited to China but the L380 has been designed with exports in mind and sales will begin in the UK within the next two years.
Sources: LEVC, Autohome
Variants not Model