Togg T10X: Turkey's first electric SUV challenges European rivals

Turkey is not a country that is known for its car industry, but that might change soon with the launch of its first electric SUV, the Togg T10X. The T10X is a luxury C-segment SUV that aims to compete with other premium models such as the Audi Q4 e-tron, the Mercedes-Benz EQB, the Volvo XC40 Recharge, or the BMW iX3. But what makes this Turkish newcomer stand out from the crowd? And how does it compare to its established rivals in terms of performance, range, price, and features? We will look closer at the Togg T10X and see if it has what it takes to succeed in the global market.

The History of Togg and T10X

Togg stands for Türkiye'nin Otomobili Girişim Grubu (Turkey's Automobile Joint Venture Group Inc.), which was founded in 2018 as a joint venture by five Turkish companies: Anadolu Group, BMC, Kıraça Holding, Turkcell, and Zorlu Holding. The Togg company aims to evolve into a global technology brand by exploiting Turkey's intellectual properties and industrial expertise to create a new mobility ecosystem.

The company unveiled its first two models, a compact SUV (T10X) and a compact sedan (C-Sedan), on December 27, 2019, during a public event in Bilişim Vadisi (Silicon Valley of Turkey) in the province of Kocaeli. These models are part of a plan to produce five electric cars by 2030. The production of the T10X began on October 29, 2022, at the Gemlik plant, where the first vehicle came off the assembly line. The pre-sales of the T10X started on March 16, 2023, in Turkey, and it will be available in some European markets by late 2024.

The Design and Features of T10X

The design of the T10X was done by the Italian firm Pininfarina, with a contribution from Turkish designer Murat Günak. The vehicle has a sleek and modern appearance that incorporates some elements inspired by Turkish cultures, such as a tulip motif on the front grille and headlights. There are two variants of the design: western and oriental.

The interior of the Togg T10X is spacious and comfortable, with high-quality materials and advanced technology features. The vehicle has a large touchscreen infotainment system supporting wireless Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. It also has an artificial intelligence assistant that can recognize voice commands and gestures. The electric SUV can be updated remotely via over-the-air software updates.

The vehicle also has several safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking, and parking assist. It also has airbags for all passengers and seat belts with pre-tensioners.

The Performance and Range of T10X

The Togg T10X is powered by an electric motor that delivers either 160 kW (210 hp) or 320 kW (430 hp), depending on whether it is rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The motor provides instant torque of up to 700 Nm for quick acceleration. The top speed of the electric SUV is limited to 180 km/h.

The vehicle's battery capacity is either 52.4 kWh or 88.5 kWh, depending on whether it is V1 or V2 variant, respectively. The battery can be charged via CCS up to 180 kW at fast charging stations or via AC up to 11 kW at home or public chargers. The range of the vehicle is up to 523 km (325 miles) WLTP for V2 variant with a larger battery or up to 314 km (195 miles) WLTP for V1 variant with the smaller battery.

The Price and Availability of T10X

The price of the T10X starts from ₺953000 ($50000), including taxes for the V1 variant with rear-wheel drive and a smaller battery. This price can increase depending on color, trim level, wheel size, etc. For comparison, some of its European rivals have similar prices:

• Audi Q4 e-tron starts from €41900 ($49000).
• Mercedes-Benz EQB starts from €47950 ($56000).
• Volvo XC40 Recharge starts from €49990 ($58000).
• BMW iX3 starts from €68900 ($80000).

The availability of the T10X is currently limited to Turkey, where the pre-orders started on March 16, 2023, and the delivery is expected to start in July 2023. The company plans to expand its market to some European countries by late 2024, but it has yet to reveal which ones. The company also aims to export its vehicles to other regions, such as North America, Asia, and Africa, in the future.

The Pros and Cons of T10X

The T10X is a remarkable achievement for Turkey, as it is the first electric SUV produced by a Turkish car manufacturer. The vehicle offers a stylish design, a spacious interior, a high-tech infotainment system, a powerful performance, and a decent range. It also benefits from some incentives from the Turkish government, such as tax exemptions, free parking and tolls, and access to bus lanes.

However, the T10X also faces some challenges and drawbacks. The vehicle is relatively expensive compared to other electric SUVs in Turkey, such as the MG ZS EV or the Hyundai Kona Electric. The vehicle also has a limited charging infrastructure in Turkey, as there are only about 2000 public charging stations across the country. Moreover, the vehicle has not been tested by independent agencies such as Euro NCAP or IIHS for its safety rating.

The Conclusion

The T10X is an ambitious project that showcases Turkey's potential in the electric car industry. The vehicle has many strengths that appeal to customers looking for a luxury C-segment SUV with zero emissions. However, the vehicle also has some weaknesses that might deter some customers from looking for a more affordable or reliable option. The success of the T10X will depend on how well it can compete with its established rivals in terms of quality, price, service, and reputation.