The Perodua QV-E is just not only the primary model from the Asian automaker to be designed and engineered in-house, it’s also Malaysia’s first locally developed electric vehicle (EV).
Despite looking vaguely like a squished Toyota C-HR, the QV-E isn’t based on a Daihatsu, like all Perodua models have been until now.
The QV-E’s platform was developed together with Magna Steyr, and might, reportedly, with a number of modifications support hybrid and range-extender EV drivetrains.
Measuring 4170mm long, 1800mm wide, 1502mm tall, and riding on a 2680mm wheelbase, the QV-E stays true to Perodua’s tradition of manufacturing small city-friendly vehicles.
Driving the front wheels is an electrical motor that makes 150kW and 285Nm. Although these aren’t Earth-shattering numbers, the QV-E’s claimed 0-100km/h time of seven.5 seconds means it’s the fastest Perodua ever.
Under the ground is a 52.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery from CATL. Perodua claims the QV-E has a spread of 370km in keeping with the WLTP standard. AC charging as much as 6.6kW is supported, while DC fast-charging maxes out 60kW.
On the within, there’s a variety of firsts for the brand, including leather seat trim, and a digital rear-view mirror. Other features include a ten.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, electric driver’s seat, 360-degree camera, autonomous emergency braking, traffic jam assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The QV-E will probably be priced from 80,000 ringgit (A$29,600), making it, you guessed it, Perodua’s costliest automobile to this point.
With a purpose to keep the QV-E’s price low, the battery stays Perodua property and is leased to the automobile’s owner for 297 ringgit (A$110) per thirty days. As a part of the battery lease, Perodua will replace any batteries that drop below 70 per cent health.
Developed at a price of 800 million ringgit (A$296 million), the QV-E was spurred by the Malaysian government’s desire for the local auto industry to leap into local EV manufacturing.
It should be interesting to see if Perodua meets its eventual sales goal of 3000 per thirty days because the QV-E is costlier than the similarly-sized e.Mas 5 (principally a rebadged Geely EX2) from local rival Proton. The e.Mas 5 kicks off at 56,800 ringgit (A$21,000), and features a 30kWh battery with a driving range of 225km (WLTP).
Perodua was founded in 1993, 10 years after Proton, Malaysia’s national automaker. With its almost exclusive deal with small city cars, and a lineup of restyled Daihatsu models, Perodua has overtaken the Geely-owned brand on the sales charts.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
