UK-based LEVC plots global expansion with electric MPVs and vans on new platform
CHARLIE MARTIN
LEVC, the Geely-owned firm behind London’s electric black cab, will launch a range of electric vans and MPVs as it drives forward with a major global expansion.
A new platform, called SOA, will form the basis of a line-up of high-tech F-segment models, positioned above the likes of the Citroën ë-Spacetourer and Volkswagen Multivan. LEVC boasts of the SOA’s flexibility, saying it can accommodate vehicles sized between 4.86m and 5.95m long, with wheelbases spanning 3.0m to 3.8m. At the top end, that’s larger than a standard Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
It provides sufficient space for four rows of seats, with the fourth row cleverly packaged to fold away into a compartment under the boot floor, keeping the load space flat.
As with LEVC’s current TX black cab, accessibility is key, so the SOA has been designed to have a low frontal step-in height of 386mm. This is 74mm lower than in the average European van, according to LEVC, giving easier access for people with less mobility. The boot lip is also 28mm lower than that of typical rivals so it is less challenging to load heavy items.
Standard air suspension is a key component of this, allowing SOA-based passenger vehicles to squat down by 20mm at the front and 40mm at the rear. Commercial variants aren’t expected to be so accessible as they trade multi-link rear suspension for leaf springs.
The SOA’s batteries and motors are shared with Geely’s SEA platform, which underpins the Smart #1 and Zeekr 001.
Chief architecture designer Kent Bovellan said one variant will have more than 536bhp – likely to use the dual-motor set-up from the 001 – and a 0-62mph time on a par with sports cars. He added that the rear motor will be the primary drive unit, with the front engaging only when full acceleration is demanded.
Three batteries will be offered: a 73kWh lithium-iron-phosphate unit giving 225.5 miles of range on the WLTP test cycle; a 102kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) pack, allowing 307 miles between charges; and a 120kWh NMC, giving 359 miles. A 10-80% charge takes 30 minutes and a heat pump will be fitted to every SOA-based vehicle as standard.
The in-car infotainment technology is all-new and has been developed in collaboration with Geely affiliate Ecarx. The SOA platform’s on-board computer packs enough computing power for up to eight screens and 12 interior cameras.
Autonomous capabilities will be a key feature of the SOA in the more distant future ��
