Maxus launches new flagship Deliver 9 panel van

Maxus has launched a new full-size panel van in the form of the new Deliver 9 - a rival for the likes of the Ford Transit, Volkswagen Crafter and Renault Trafic – as well as the more upmarket Mercedes Sprinter.

The company’s largest commercial vehicle is available to order now, with prices starting from £30,231 excluding VAT. First deliveries are expected to arrive in July.

• Best large panel vans on sale now

Buyers have their choice of three body lengths and three heights, along with a crew cab, chassis cab and minibus body style. The entry-level model has a maximum cargo volume of 8.1 cubic metres and can carry a payload of up to 1360kg. The largest panel van offers respective figures of 12.9 cubic metres and 1240kg.

Every variant is powered by the a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which has an output of 161bhp and 375Nm of torque. On the standard and mid-sized models, the engine sends power to the front wheels – although the largest panel van variants can be optionally specced with rear wheel drive.

The engine is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox and Maxus says the largest rear-wheel drive Deliver 9 will return 28.8mpg on the combined cycle. The largest models can tow a maximum braked weight of 2.8 tonnes or an unbraked weight of 750kg.

4

Standard equipment includes LED daytime running lights, a body coloured front bumper, rear parking sensors and central locking. Inside, there’s air conditioning, electric windows, cloth seat upholstery, a multifunction steering wheel and a DAB radio with Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

In the cargo bay, buyers get a pair of 236-degree opening angle rear doors, eight tie-down points, a full bed cover and two lights. Maxus has also fitted plenty of standard safety technology including a lane departure warning system, autonomous emergency braking, hill start assist and a brace of driver and passenger airbags.

Maxus also offers a more lavishly equipped model, called the Deliver 9 Luxury, which adds LED headlamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, front parking sensors, a reversing camera and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lane change assist is also included – and buyers can opt for an electric folding side step.

LDV was rebranded as Maxus in April by the firm’s Chinese parent company SAIC Motor Corporation. The refreshed commercial vehicle brand has also recently launched a compact all-electric panel van to rival the likes of Renault Kangoo ZE and Nissan e-NV200.

What do you make of the new Maxus Deliver 9? Let us know in the comments section below…