The automobile sector is one of the most complex in the industry. Specialization can be just as bad as over-diversification. Signatures like Lotus, Caterham o Morgan They live at the expense of clients and fashions rowing in their favor. And if not, what we are seeing happens with the electric range of Hethel or the new business direction of Surrey and Malvern Link. And then there is the case of LEO Doesn't that sound familiar to you?
In case you had forgotten, LEVC is the acronym for London Electric Vehicle Company. Doesn't that sound familiar to you either? Well, we are going to make it even easier for you. Have you ever been to London? If so, you may have ridden in one of their legendary black taxis. Indeed, LEVC is the name of the company that was previously called London Taxi Company.. The person responsible for this name is Geely as well as for the development of the new LEVC Xspace L380.
The LEVC Xspace L380 is a large electric minivan that looks, very much, like the Hyundai Staria…
In case you forgot LEVC is a specialist brand in taxis. For now its range is made up of a couple of models: the plug-in hybrid TX and the VN5 van which is based on the previous one. All of its production, or almost all, is sold in the United Kingdom and the reason is because its steering wheel is right-hand drive. However, they also manufacture left-hand drive versions that they ship to other third countries in continental Europe as well as other countries in Asia.
Well, the LEVC Xspace L380 is your new electric taxi. As defined by the brand in its own official press release…
«The L380 is the first in a new range of innovative models, spacious and fully electric, which will see the brand accelerate its transition from a high-end taxi manufacturer to a leading electric vehicle supplier. Mobility solutions»
But the most impressive thing about the L380 is its design. Just seeing it on the front reminds us that Hyundai already has a model called Staria on the market that is practically copied. The common elements to mention, for example, are the thin LED strip that occupies the width of the body or its Full LED optics located at the ends of the bumper in a lower position. But there is more because the windshield is gigantic or the bumper is simple.
The side view, in itself, has its own style although without being different. The waist line is ascending and the sheet-glass ratio is more favorable to the former. To reduce visual weight, the roof is painted in a contrasting black tone, as well as the windows are tinted to offer more privacy to the interior. There are no images of him or the rear, although we know that there will be 6 or 8 seater versions and that will have all kinds of luxuries and gadgets…
Although its Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) platform is from Geely... since it is the parent company of LEVC...
All in all, it seems that due to proportions and dimensions it will be very close to the Hyundai Staria. The length of the LEVC Xspace is 5,31 meters by 1,99 meters wide and 1,94 meters high with a wheelbase of 3,18 meters. Of course, the difference with the Korean house model is that the LEVC Xspace is one hundred percent electric. For its design, Geely technicians have given the brand the money necessary to develop a new platform.
This is the Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) which should turn the brand into a high-level mobility provider. In this case, the L380 will have a 200 kW (272 hp) electric motor which will allow you to reach up to 170 kilometers per hour maximum speed. Besides battery capacity is 73, 102 or 120 kWh which gives it a maximum autonomy with a charge of up to 695 kilometers.
This deployment will be noted, above all, in its empty weight with 2.805 kilos or its gross weight of 3.425 kilos. Hence, the firm has opted for a McPherson-type front suspension and a multi-link pneumatic rear suspension. Even so, cargo versions with leaf spring suspension will be added to the range to facilitate greater loading. Finally, The LEVC Xspace L380 will be manufactured in China and not in the Ansty technical center.
Source - LEVC Motors
