The UK’s first midsize electric pickup with all-wheel drive has premiered at the Liverpool HQ of distributor Harris Maxus.

Part of a comprehensive model offensive by Maxus, part of China’s SAIC Group, the pickup offers all-electric drive with up to 267 miles (430km) of range and goes on sale later this quarter with prices and specifications yet to be announced.

Debuted at this year’s IAA Transportation in Hanover, the eTerron 9 succeeds the T90 rear-wheel-drive only pickup and fills a vital gap for fleets looking to go electric.

Its dual-motor setup features an 170hp e-motor at the front and 272hp system at the rear axle, generating total output of 442hp along with all-wheel drive.

The All-Terrain System (ATS) features six preset driving modes, ranging from ‘Normal’ to ‘Mud’ and ‘Sand’. In addition, thanks to the user-defined controls, customers can configure steering, engine power and stability to their personal preferences, as well as the degree of energy recovery and the height of the standard air suspension. More than 400 different combinations are possible.

The 102kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery has been designed to minimise space requirements and increase capacity and safety. It’s able to charge at up 115kW DC, giving a 20% to 80% recharge in around 40 minutes. The battery is designed for efficient energy recovery, while thermal management is said to improve the range in winter by 18% compared to conventional electric cars.

The eTerron 9 also comes with vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality as standard, transforming it into a rolling ‘power bank’ for external devices. In addition to several 2.2kW sockets in the front trunk and on the pickup bed, there is also an external 6.6kW connection.

The eTerron 9 is 5.5m long in total. If longer objects need to be transported, the rear wall of the driver’s cab can be lowered at the touch of a button. This creates a loading area up to 2.4m in length. Payload stands at 620kg, and it’s able to tow up to 3,500kg.

A 236-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet provides space for storage and can be used as a two-seat space when camping.

The eTerron 9 will also deliver “car-like” levels of comfort and equipment that include leather upholstery and an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with ventilation and a massage function. The cabin is also equipped with 20 different storage compartments and the bonnet hood and tailgate can be opened electrically.

The multi-link rear suspension with air suspension, which adjusts the vehicle level depending on speed, is also said to be more typical of a passenger car than a pickup truck. The vehicle height can also be adjusted using the air suspension to reduce air resistance and extend range. In Easy Load mode, the loading area can be lowered by 60mm, which makes loading and unloading easier.

Maxus also promises numerous new models for the UK over the next few years, with a focus on sustainable and locally emission-free mobility.

Brian Patterson, managing director at Harris Group, said: “The UK is a vital market for Maxus and Harris Group. Having launched successfully in one of the most exacting markets in the world, we are now going on the offensive. We want to expand our pioneering role in sustainable and emission-free mobility with further new models, each one pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”

Andrew Lawson, MD of Harris Maxus UK, added: “Our new eTerron 9 pickup, which we are presenting to the public for the first time here in Liverpool, is only the first stage of this product offensive. It’s the first all-electric pickup with all-wheel drive in the mid-size segment, offering all-wheel drive versatility with high payload and towing capacity, a powerful electric drive, and a high level of comfort thanks to car-like equipment and technology.”

First deliveries of the eTerron 9 are expected in January 2025.