The GAC Trumpchi E9 PHEV MPV has a seat that doubles as an electric wheelchair with airbags
Sanjay · Apr 16, 2024 09:37 AM
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Following the spate of announcements made by Chinese carmaker GAC at its recent tech day, the company has unveiled one more advancement – the Trumpchi E9 PHEV MPV with a twist to the usual 'welcab' formula.
Unlike most welfare vehicles (usually known as 'welcab' in Japan, a portmanteau of 'welfare' and 'cabin') which just have a rear seat that pops out to allow the mobility-challenged to ease onto, this E9 employs the world's first detachable electric wheelchair.
Now, other carmakers in the welcab game have had detachable manual wheelchairs for years, but GAC's invention – which the company claims its the first in the world – is battery-powered, and can carry passengers of up to 120 kg as far as 26 km on electric power alone.
Other functions of the electric wheelchair is its fully adjustable too, so occupants can control the backrest recline, seat height, and movements all via a remote control. The wheelchair also charges automatically when its reinstalled into the vehicle, and if needed, the E9's vehicle-to-load function can juice it up as well.
In terms of safety, the wheelchair is built to follow Chinese safety standards, having gone through 79 safety parameters – including collision tests. Local media report that it's the first-ever welfare seat to have passed the national standard tests.
Meanwhile, the car it's shown with, the Trumpchi E9 MPV is a plug-in hybrid model. Under the hood, it joins a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor to produce a combined 373 PS and 630 Nm.
The large MPV (sized like the Toyota Alphard) also comes with a 25.57 kWh ternary lithium-ion battery, allowing for up to 106 km of pure electric range according to the WLTC. GAC claims that the E9 achieves a total cruising range of 1,032 km (CLTC) with all elements of the PHEV in play.
The MPV is also equipped with an active safety suite that contains up to 10 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, and four milimetre-wave radars. GAC's ADiGO Pilot ADAS functions are also available.
In China, the GAC M9 PHEV is priced from CNY 329,800 (~RM 213k, Pro), Max at CNY 369,800 (RM 240k), and the Grandmaster at CNY 389,800 (~RM 252k). This Welfare Edition is priced from CNY 409,800 (~RM 271k).
GAC in Malaysia
The GAC GS3 Emzoom; launching in Malaysia very soon
So far, the GAC E9 hasn't been outlined for our local market; sales are only centred in its home market of China for the time being. However, GAC is mounting a comeback of sorts in Malaysia, and the brand is slated to launch the all-new GAC GS3 Emzoom soon, followed by the GAC Emkoo, and the GAC Aion range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the future.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.
