MAXUS DELIVER 9

MAXUS focus delivers vans that get the basics right

MAXUS has a simple premis that drives it forward: get the basics right and the rest will follow. Right now, MAXUS offers customers three premium products: the large diesel DELIVER 9, the electric e DELIVER 9 and a smaller e DELIVER 3 model. All three model lines come in van and chassis cab variants and are ideal for conversion.

The DELIVER 9 is an all-new platform vehicle powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine and 150ps and 375nm of torque. All models include electric power steering and autonomous emergency braking, while a manual DPF regeneration button in the diesel range ensures the van runs at optimal levels.

MAXUS offers a number of variants in the DELIVER 9 range including a crew cab, a 14-seater minibus, and a chassis cab which is available in two lengths. Additionally, our network of specialist converters can also create a bespoke vehicle, be it a drop side, tipper, ambulance, wheelchair accessible minibus or camper van.

The e DELIVER 3 marked MAXUS’ move into the small commercial vehicle market in 2020. Designed from the ground up for electric power only, the e DELIVER 3 offers 213 miles (city range WLTP) / 151 miles (combined WLTP) on a single charge (50.23 kWh battery) and comes with a 90KW /255Nm motor.

The Maxus e DELIVER 3 also comes in a number of variants, including Chassis Cab. The main exterior dimensions of the chassis cab, prior to conversion are: • Maxus e Deliver 3 Chassis Cab exterior length: 5,144mm • Maxus e Deliver 3 Chassis Cab exterior height: 1,885mm • Maxus e Deliver 3 Chassis Cab exterior width (excluding door mirrors): 1,780mm • Maxus e Deliver 3 Chassis Cab wheelbase: 3,285mm • Maxus e Deliver 3 Chassis Cab payload: 1120kg

The e DELIVER 9 is a large zero-emission vehicle with an impressive 150Kw / 310Nm high power low energy motor. This van comes in three battery options, a 51.5Kwh, 72Kwh or 88.55 Kwh battery configuration which produces a WLTP city range of up to 219 miles and a fast charge of 80 per cent in 40 minutes.

The e DELIVER 9 is available to order as a crew cab, chassis and drop side. Cargo volume varies depending on the variant you choose, with the chassis cab and low floor Luton offering up to 20 cubic meters. The e DELIVER 9 can also be converted into a minibus model which MAXUS has collaborated with GM Coachwork to create.

Over the past two years, MAXUS has witnessed a rise in the number of requests for specialist delivery vehicles due to the pandemic. The demand for doorstep grocery services together with a compelling need for chilled transport solutions for COVID-19 vaccinations and other pharmaceuticals were key factors in this rise.

MAXUS vans are ideally suited to refrigerated transportation and can be modified to achieve sub-zero temperatures.

Last Year, leading fleet management company VMS purchased 1,000 commercial vehicles from MAXUS, including 500 e DELIVER 3s and 150 e DELIVER 9s. A number of these vehicles were converted into temperature-controlled vans so that VMS Fleet customers in the pharmaceuticals and food sector had additional support where required.

The e DELIVER 9 is a large zero-emission vehicle with an impressive high-power, low-energy motor... it produces a WLTP city range of up to 219 miles and a fast charge of 80 per cent in 40 minutes ‘‘

Deliver 9 sets a new standard

So what’s our view of the MAXUS DELIVER 9? Andrew Walker tested one last year, and here’s what he thought about this CV disruptor...

To say Maxus has taken great strides from its days as the successor to LDV is a massive understatement, and today its Deliver line-up does exactly that... delivers. The biggest of a great bunch is the Deliver 9, which comes equipped with a new 2.0-litre diesel engine with 163hp and DPF regen capability.

It comes in two specs, Standard and Luxury, and three body lengths, with three heights and three wheelbases, as well as a crew cab, chassis cab and minibus.

Load ranges from eight cubic metres to 13 cubic metres, with load lengths from 2,650mm to 3,413mm and with a loadspace height from 1,724mm to 2,114mm. Overall width is 1,800mm. The Deliver 9 measure’s 1,366mm between the wheel arches.

There are a couple of longer chassis cab options for conversions and rear-wheel drive (RWD) is offered on the longest versions.

A side loading door is fitted as standard. This measures 1,075mm in width on the Short van, 1,269mm on the Medium and Long versions. The rear door opening is 1,570mm wide and these open to 236 degrees. The rear features an easy to clean cargo space, eight tie-down points and two lights. Options include LED lighting and an electric side step.

Deliver 9 also features standard safety technology such as lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, hill start assist and driver and passenger airbags.

UK models offer a 3,500kg gross vehicle weight (GVW), with payloads of 1,360kg for the FWD Short model up to 1,110kg for the

largest RWD version. Braked towing capacity is 2,500kg for the smallest versions, 2,800kg for the rest of the range and every model will tow 750kg un-braked.

In the flesh the Deliver 9 looks a lot like a Ford Transit, with its large front grille, high bonnet and LED headlights, also stealing from the last Volkswagen Crafter. Inside, Maxus has plainly thought long and hard about the cabin and in terms of quality and finish, it’s a million miles away from the old LDV V80.

There’s plenty of top notch black and chrome plastic on show and generous cabin storage, including a large glove box, deep storage space in the doors, hidden space under the bench seating, a foldable seat back with two cup holders and a built-in tablet holder. The dashboard also includes cup holder storage along with a selection of other storage options above the glove box and windscreen visor. You also get twin USB’s and mini jack port, a 12v power socket and on medium and high roof versions, overhead storage too.

Standard equipment includes LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, central locking, AirCon, electric windows, a multifunction steering wheel, DAB radio with Bluetooth and an eight direction adjustable driver’s seat.

Move up to the Luxury version and this adds a 10” touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with guide assist and no key entry and start.

More good news is that the 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, unlike the outgoing LDV V80, meets the latest Euro 6d emissions requirements, while also matching a number of European vans on power, with 163hp and 375Nm’s of torque on the more powerful version.

We spent a couple of hours in a Luxury Deliver 9 Short, with medium roof height, courtesy of Chadderton Motor Company. The dashboard looks and feels high-end and it not only looks good, it works well too, especially the 10” touchscreen and Apple CarPlay, which allowed us to sync our iPhone quickly and utilise Google Maps.

Outside and a quick tap of the panels reveals a more rigid panel van than you’d expect.

On the road, the Deliver 9 is easy to drive, offering nimble steering and a light clutch. The gear change is a little longer than we’ve found in some competitors, but this isn’t a major issue. On the motorway and once up to speed, we engaged cruise control and this allowed us to relax into the ride.

Even in the heavy rain we drove through, the cab remained relatively quiet, with only some road noise causing us to turn the DAB radio up a touch. Driver visibility is good as well, with the side mirrors offering a good view of what’s behind when overtaking.

On urban roads the Deliver 9 continued to impress, negotiating stop-start traffic and some ubiquitous road works. We reverse parked the van in a supermarket car park and the parking sensors and rear view camera definitely made this task easier.

Overall, an enjoyable drive. A check of the fuel found we’d hovered just above 28mpg which, as we’d driven unladen, is distinctly average, however.

The dash looks and feels high-end... and a quick tap of the body panels reveals a more rigid panel van than you’d expect... ‘‘

CC&V VERDICT

A smooth drive and stacks up well on price, with the FWD LH Standard costing from £28,200 ex VAT.

CC&V RATING:

N N N N