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By Moses Akaigwe
At a test-drive organised as part of its launch in December 2022, the Maxus T60 Elite 4×4 pick-up did not miss the opportunity to make a (very good) first impression among the guests who were invited to see the new kid on the block.
The location was the rough, off-road section of the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos, where the midsize pick-up (accompanied by its two other variants named Comfort and Luxury) earned intermittent applause as it defied the quicksand, steep inclines and other obstacles.
Nearly two years after that first public outing, the Maxus Elite 4×4 has continued to excellently impress the light trucks market in Nigeria where it has been steadily ‘seducing’ admirers of other brands in its competitive segment and getting a fair share of patronage.
A combination of factors have been responsible for this performance, chief among which is the fact that it is driven by a powerful 2.4 litre Mitsubishi engine that is generous with power, but miserly with fuel consumption.
The Maxus work horse is also enjoying the advantage of being marketed in Nigeria by Mikano Motors, a comparatively new auto assembly and marketing company that has in less than five years earned an enviable reputation for itself in the sector.
Within a few years in the auto industry, Mikano Motors has shown the competition how the business ought to be done, by putting in place a state-of-the-art showroom on Adeola Odeku Street in Victoria Island, Lagos, introducing popular auto brands and top quality vehicles, and backing up the products with solid after-sales support that offers comprehensive warranty coverage
That is why it is no surprise that Mikano Motors has consistently emphasized the fact that their Maxus T60 Elite 4×4 is a sturdy, value-oriented pick-up known for its blend of off-road capability, practicality, and modern comfort features at competitive prices.
It is also a very attractive looking work mate, thanks to design attributes like body coloured bumpers, body-coloured mirror with side repeaters, aluminum side-steps, body-coloured door handle, Philips halogen headlamps, and Chrome front grille.
Here are some of the basic characteristics that make the pick-up buzz:
British DNA, SAIC heritage
Maxus has a British background, with its origins tracing back to the 1896 Lancashire Steam Motor Company and British Leyland, but is now owned by SAIC Motor Corporation of China.
In terms of quality, T60 Elite benefited immensely from this 129 years of experience – which explains why users in many markets have continued to acknowledge its durability and reliability.
In many parts of the world, as in Nigeria, the pick-up is respected as a versatile and reliable option that balances rugged utility with modern features.
SAIC also has long-term joint venture partnerships with Volkswagen (Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi) and General Motors (Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac), all of which impact positively on the quality of its vehicles.
Powertrain
One of the unique selling points of T60 Elite is its 2.4 litre Mitsubishi engine mated to a five-speed Mitsubishi transmission generally considered reliable and durable.
Efficiently supported by the robust Mac-Pherson suspension system, the powertrain imbues the T60 Elite with high towing capacity
Active, passive safety
The T60 Elite 4×4 is one of the safest pick-ups in the market, having earned 5-star ANCAP safety rating which usually comes after very rigorous tests.
Featured in the truck as passive safety are speed warning, seatbelt reminder for occupied seats, front seat height adjusters and pretensioners, speed-sensitive automatic door locking system, central lock+immobiliser, among others.
Active safety includes, but not limited to, dual front airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System), Traction Control System, Hill Descent Control, and Rear Parking System.
Comfort and convenience
For drivers that appreciate smooth handling while driving, the Telescopic Steering Wheel is a delight. The Ash Premium fabric seats enhance the comfort of the interior ambience.
Four power windows, tyre pressure monitoring system, six-way adjustable driver’s seat front & rear adjustable headrests, and rear AC vents for rear passengers, are some of the interior provisions
The Mikano Assurance
One of factors attracting pick-up lovers to Maxus T60 Elite is solid after-sales back-up by Mikano Motors which includes well equipped service / maintenance centres manned by technicians well trained on handling modern vehicles.
The Mikano Motors nationwide sales and after-sales service network includes many branches in Lagos, as well as others in Abuja, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt, among others.
At the core of this industry-best after-sales offer is a warranty package of five years or 130, 000 (whichever comes first) which affords its customers satisfaction and peace of mind.
