BYD Racco debuts as model’s first kei EV developed particularly for Japan – 20 kWh, as much as 180 km WLTC

That is the Raccoan electrical kei automobile that doesn’t come from a Japanese automaker, however from China’s BYD. With about 1.55 million kei vehicles making up round 40% of latest automobile gross sales in Japan final yr, BYD is trying get a slice of the pie and has developed the Racco – first for the model – particularly for this function.

The title ‘Racco’ is the Japanese translation of sea otter, which inserts in neatly with BYD’s liking for naming its vehicles after marine animals. Present BYD fashions on sale in Japan embody the Seal, Sealion 7, Dolphin and Atto 3, with the Racco reportedly set to affix the line-up in the summertime of 2026. The compact electrical automobile (EV) is making its first public debut on the ongoing Japan Mobility Present, so right here’s a gallery of it.

Assembly native kei automobile rules, the Racco measures 3,395 mm lengthy, 1,475 mm huge and 1,800 mm tall, which makes it in regards to the measurement of the Nissan Sakura. It sits 4 folks and there are 4 doorways, together with two on the rear that slide open.

Typical of most kei vehicles, the physique is boxy and upright to maximise inside house, with notable exterior cues being C-shaped daytime working lights round the primary headlamps, whereas the downturned black trim within the entrance bumper offers “frowny” look and integrates the fog lamps.

A double-A-pillar construction helps with frontward visibility, and the cost port door is situated on the entrance proper fender. Transferring in the direction of the rear, we discover partially blacked-out C-pillars for that “floating roof” look, whereas the full-width taillights try to mimic the entrance signature.

From what we will see from the skin, the inside dashboard seems to be to have a easy structure. There’s a small digital instrument cluster on the steering column and a touchscreen that sits simply above a row of bodily controls.

BYD didn’t present powertrain specs however the Racco is anticipated to get a Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with an vitality capability of 20 kWh, which is nice for as much as 180 km of vary following the WLTC customary.

As for pricing, the projected beginning determine is round 2.5 million yen (about RM68k), which is near the Sakura. Different fashions within the kei EV sesgment embody the Honda N-One e: and the Sakura’s sister mannequin, the Mitsubishi eK X EV.

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