Beyond great expectations

BYD Cars Philippines has introduced the eMAX 9 DM-i at the 13th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit in Pasay. It is the brand’s new mid-size MPV for families who want an electrified option with space, range and safety tech.

The eMAX 9 comes in two variants, Advanced and Premium. Both use the brand’s Super DM-i system, which places an electric motor at the center of the drive and pairs it with a 1.5-liter turbocharged generator. Total system output is 271 PS and 315 Nm, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds.

The range depends on the battery fitted. The Premium has a 36.6 kWh pack good for up to 170 kilometers of pure-electric driving. The Advanced uses a 20.4 kWh pack rated at up to 95 kilometers of EV range. BYD lists a combined range of up to 1,000 kilometers for the Premium and 945 kilometers for the Advanced.

Those figures are backed by a long highway run observed by the Automobile Association of the Philippines. Led by Louis Ramirez, the group left Pasay, went through Tuguegarao, reached Laoag, and returned via La Union. The Premium variant covered 1,261.2 kilometers on one full tank and one full charge.

Both variants accept up to 7 kW AC and up to 73 kW DC. Using AC, the Advanced can reach full in about three hours, while the Premium takes about five. With DC fast charging, going from 30 percent to 80 percent takes under 20 minutes.

There is also Vehicle-to-Load on board. It lets the eMAX 9 power small appliances or devices during trips or emergencies.

Cabin layout is seven seats with captain’s chairs in the second row. The Premium gets ventilated and massage functions for the captain’s chairs and the driver. The Advanced has manually adjustable captain’s seats with a simpler spec.

Both feature leather interiors, ambient lighting, and a large 15.6-inch infotainment screen. The Premium adds a sunroof and a 12-speaker audio system, while the Advanced uses an eight-speaker setup.

Everyday touches include a hands-free power side door and tailgate, a tri-zone cooling system for both variants, and a small built-in refrigerator in the Premium. These details make loading kids, groceries, and gear easier.

The Premium variant also carries BYD’s DiSus-C electronic suspension, which adjusts damping for better stability and ride comfort. Both models get the DiPilot driver assistance suite with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection, and lane keeping assist. A 360-degree camera and rear cross-traffic alert improve low-speed visibility. Eight airbags are standard.

Pricing is set at P2,678,000 for the Advanced and P2,998,000 for the Premium. Color choices are Cosmos Black, Deep Sea Blue and Aurora White.

Buyers can first see the eMAX 9 at several public stops. It is on the EV Summit Tech Tour Display from 23 to 25 October, at Greenbelt 5 in Makati from 24 to 26 October, and at Alabang Town Center from 7 to 9 November.

Warranty coverage includes eight years or 160,000 km for the Blade Battery, eight years or 160,000 km for the drive unit, and six years or 150,000 km for the vehicle.