Lingbox Box mini EV coming to Malaysia sub-RM100k; Daihatsu-copy, up to 220 km range, single airbag?

Lingbox Box mini EV coming to Malaysia sub-RM100k; Daihatsu-copy, up to 220 km range, single airbag?

The Lingbox Box mini electric vehicle will be coming to Malaysia, through a five-year deal secured by EP Manufacturing (EPMB) for the assembly and distribution of the mini EV.

Known in its native China as the Lingbao Box, the Lingbox-branded model is a four-door electric hatchback that measures 3,584 mm long, 1,475 mm wide and 1,666 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,455 mm. Powertrain is a single electric motor that produces either 41 hp or 48 hp depending on specification.

Power comes from a 19.2 kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery that offers a claimed 220 km of range on the China-specific CLTC test cycle – roughly equivalent to NEDC – and DC fast charging will bring a 20-80% charge in 1.2 hours. Meanwhile, a home wallbox charger will charge the Box in 11 hours.

The interior of the Box features two digital displays; the driver gets a seven-inch instrument panel, while infotainment is shown through a 10.1-inch unit in the centre of the dashboard. Although the Box accommodates two rows of occupants, there is just one airbag for the China-market car, leaving the other occupants in the car to do without; hopefully this will be upgraded ahead of its Malaysian market arrival.

Lingbox Box (left), Daihatsu Cast Style (right)

If you feel you have seen a car that looks very much like this one, you most likely have; the Box bears considerable resemblance to the Daihatsu Cast kei-class from 2015, both wearing tall-set rounded headlamps, along with similar sculpting of their wheelarches and door crease lines.

Daihatsu displayed the Sport variant of its kei car at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, and an adventure-kitted SUV version of the Cast Activa at GIIAS 2016.

Priced at 56,800 yuan (RM36,015) in China inclusive of government incentives, it remains to be seen just how much the Lingbox Box will be priced when it arrives in Malaysia. The cars to be sold in Malaysia are expected to be priced below RM100,000, and in doing so, these will become the most affordable EVs in Malaysia, according to EPMB.

For comparison, the lowest-priced fully electric vehicle currently available in Malaysia is the GWM Ora Good Cat, which is priced from RM139,800 in base form. Also from China, the more-recently launched BYD Atto 3 electric SUV starts from RM149,800 in Standard Range guise, and up to RM167,800 in Extended Range form.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Rim curber on Dec 29, 2022 at 4:43 pm

    its also look like a shrunk down version of the Ora Good Cat

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Gabriel on Dec 29, 2022 at 5:10 pm

    All this copying from China car manufacturers need to stop. Period.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 13
    • Made In China on Dec 29, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      It’s in their culture.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 13
      • Biased bullshit on Dec 31, 2022 at 1:16 am

        Not culture but strategy, you copy when you are playing catch-up to gather capital and slowly build your branding, innovation comes later when you’ve gained your ground in the market, just take a look at the smartphone market flooded with notable Chinese brands, expect the same to EV market

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
  • More toy cars pouring into the market.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Good luck selling such a strange looking car in markets outside of China lol. It’s like all these other car brands from China saw Proton and Geely’s partnership, and now they suddenly also want a piece of Malaysia’s car market share for themselves, did they forget or not realise that most Malaysians are very conservative at choosing what car brand they should buy their cars from, like for example picking cars from familiar brands over unfamiliar brands.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
  • Nasty looking..please la rm100k for this ugly shit. Rm50k is reasonable

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 3
  • hmm kei-car but still sub-100k ,, very cute tho

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • Veneno on Dec 30, 2022 at 2:54 am

    This thing is a bloody joke.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • ThePolygon on Dec 30, 2022 at 7:28 am

    It has to be cheaper than the current lowest spec Alza to be able to sell.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • stick on Dec 30, 2022 at 9:47 am

    can these chinamen innovate or are just good at copying?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 6
    • AutoFrenz (the original) on Dec 30, 2022 at 10:31 am

      They are very innovative when it comes to spreading virus just look at covid…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 10
  • Death trap car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Ground europe passenger on Dec 30, 2022 at 11:32 am

    Looks like kelisa gino ev, if got dark grey color price rm50k maybe consider.

    China ev manufacturer are leading japan, german, korea and other strong carmaker country at the moment.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • Sub-RM50k ok lah.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • st3wp1d on Dec 30, 2022 at 11:46 pm

    Must be less than rm50k otr range price or we assume it doesnt sell

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Baldwin V, Count of Flanders on Jan 01, 2023 at 8:17 am

    This abomination looks like it can only last a few days without any major issue.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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