Chinese EV maker BYD has posted the first images and select specifications of its Raccco microvan designed exclusively for the Japanese domestic market. It’s set to go on sale this summer, becoming that country’s first Kei car to be made overseas.
As you can see, the interior is tightly packed but still manages to accommodate a digital dashboard, a standalone infotainment touchscreen and a three-spoke steering wheel. The two rows of physical buttons under the main display provide easy access to the HVAC and other handy in-car functions.
The exterior does its best to imitate that of a typical JDM Kei car – a tall (1,800mm) roof goes along with a short (3,395mm) and narrow (1,475mm) body. The headlamps sport C-shaped DRL sections, and the brake light is fashioned as a single LED strip.
Nothing has been revealed about the powertrain yet. Local regulations prevent Kei cars from having more than 48 PS (47 hp / 35 kW) in naturally aspirated form or 64 PS (63 hp / 47 kW) in turbocharged form. The Racco is a pure battery-based EV, so it might deliver a livelier ride than most of those traditional cars. What we do know is that there will be two battery sizes to choose from, the bigger one manufacturer-rated at over 300 km (186 miles) per charge.
