Image Credit: Chery.
I've woken up this morning in a world where logic has gone out the window. It was replaced by a calculator powered with soy sauce and Guinness. It's gotta be Monday… Right - so China decided to drop a bombshell - they've built a diesel plug-in hybrid pickup truck. It's called the Chery KP31, and it's about as expected as a salad at a Scottish wedding.
It isn't hitting American shores anytime soon, though it is heading to Australia. And as we all know, if it survives the outback without being eaten by a spider the size of a dinner plate, it'll eventually limp its way to the UK. It's a brave move for sure. Combining the clatter of a diesel with the silent hum of electricity feels like a bagpipe solo in the middle of a library - confusing, slightly alarming, but you can't help but listen.
Image Credit: Chery.
Chery isn't exactly a household name here, but they've been busy. They recently launched an electric truck called the Rely R08 for less than $13,000. I double checked - that's not a typo. You can barely buy a decent used lawnmower for that price in the States. But the KP31 is a different beast entirely. It's the rugged, outdoorsy cousin that drinks heavy stout and claims it can run a marathon on a single AA battery.
Design-wise, it's a bit of a mashup. Imagine a Jeep Gladiator had a late-night encounter with a Toyota Land Cruiser in a dark alleyway, throw in a dash of inspiration from Bronco and this is the offspring. It's boxy, covered in plastic cladding, and looks like it wants to punch a mountain in the face. It's got a snorkel - presumably for when the driver realizes they're in over their head and sits on beefy 31-inch all-terrain tires. It's 214.6 inches long, which is just about the right size to ensure you'll never find a parking spot anywhere.
Image Credit: Chery.
Under the hood sits a 2.5-liter diesel engine - Chery claims it has a 47% thermal efficiency rating. In layman's terms, that means it's incredibly good at turning dead dinosaurs into forward motion without wasting too much energy as heat. They reckon it'll be 10% more efficient than a standard diesel. Combine that with a plug-in battery, and you've got a truck that can haul your ego and your gear without making Greta Thunberg faint - at least not straight away.
The numbers for the "worky" bits are actually quite respectable. It'll carry a 2,205-lb payload and tow a 7,716 lbs trailer. That puts it right in the ring with the heavy hitters like the Ford Ranger. It's a "dual-purpose" vehicle - you can take the kids to school and then go pretend you're a pioneer in the woods. Inside, it's all fancy touchscreens, suede, and leather. It's surprisingly spacious, too, meaning your passengers won't have their knees tucked under their chins like they're in a budget airline seat.
Image Credit: Chery.
I will never stop being skeptical of hybrids. They're like that person who can't decide if they want to be a monk or a rock star. But a diesel PHEV? That's actually clever... In places where charging stations are as rare as a sunny day in Scotland, having a diesel engine to fall back on makes a lot of sense. You get the torque for towing and the electric range for creeping silently away from your house at 3 AM - what's not to like?
Will it ever come to America? Not a chance. We like our trucks huge, thirsty, and loud. But as emissions laws tighten their grip like a cheap pair of trousers, this Chinese Frankenstein might be the future. Rugged and weird, and surprisingly practical. I'm not 100% sold on the idea of a "silent diesel," but I'd give it a go. If nothing else, it would give the local wildlife something new to be confused about.
Enjoyed the article? Give us a 'LIKE' and FOLLOW us on MSN! We're tracking the electric future... even if it's still buffering.
