King Long Kaige

King Long Kaige (凯歌)
King Long Kaige (凯歌)
Overview
Also called	CAM Placer-X (Malaysia); Go Auto-Higer Ace (Malaysia); King Long Kingo (Jamaica); King Long XinJinwei/ New Jinwei (Cheaper model); Golden Dragon X5;
Production	2013 – Present
Assembly	China: Xiamen
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door van/minibus
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related	Higer H5C; Joylong A-series
Powertrain
Engine	2.4 L I4; 2.5 L turbo I4 (H6); 2.7 L I4
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Kaige: 3,110 mm (122.4 in); Kaige K6/EV: 3,720 mm (146.5 in);
Length	Kaige: 5,470 mm (215.4 in); Kaige K6: 5,998 mm (236.1 in); Kaige EV: 6,080 mm (239.4 in);
Width	1,885 mm (74.2 in)
Height	Kaige/Kaige K6: 2,285 mm (90.0 in); Kaige EV: 2,270 mm (89.4 in);

The King Long Kaige is a series of light commercial van produced by the Chinese automobile manufacturer King Long based on the Chassis of the King Long Jinwei as a more premium solution. The King Long Kaige has since been available in a wide range of body configurations, including a minivan/MPV, minibus, panel van, crew van, and an ambulance.

Overview

There are three engine options for the King Long Kaige including a 2.4 liter inline-four engine producing 139 hp, a 2.5 liter turbo inline-four engine producing 116 hp, and a 2.7 liter inline-four engine producing 163 hp.^[1]

There are two versions of the King Long Kaige, including the standard King Long Kaige with 6,7,8,9,11,13, and 14 seater configurations and the larger King Long Kaige K6 with 17 and 18 seater configurations.^[2]

King Long Kaige
Rear view

An electric version of the King Long Kaige was released by King Long in 2015, featuring the long wheelbase of the K6 versions and an even longer full vehicle length of 6.08 metres (19.9 ft). The NEDC electric range is 140 km (87 mi) and is capable of a 220 km (140 mi) range if driven in a stable speed of 40 km/h (25 mph).^[3]

Golden Dragon variants

Just like several other King Long products, a version was also sold under the Golden Dragon brand by Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co. Ltd called the Golden Dragon X5 (wide body variant) and Golden Dragon Z4 (Z-series, narrow body variant). The Golden Dragon X5 was also sold as the Higer H5C.

Golden Dragon Haishi Z-series
Rear view
Golden Dragon X5 Series Police Van

Overseas market

Malaysia market

The King Long Kaige in China was launched in Malaysia in around 2011 as the King Long Farid, and later dropped the King Long name in favor of CAM, which stands for China Auto Manufacturers, the Malaysian company in charge of distributing the King Long products. The CAM Placer-X is the model name used in Malaysia, while the styling is shared with the Joylong A-series vans, the version sold by Joylong in China.^[4]

2014 CAM (King Long, Farid) Placer-X 2.5L CDTi School Bus in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Rear view

Jamaican market

The version sold in Jamaica was renamed as the King Long Kingo.

King Long Kingo in Jamaica
Rear view

Controversies

The designs of the King Long Kaige is controversial as they heavily resemble the fifth generation Toyota HiAce (H200) with similar body styles and overall vehicle dimensions. The King Long Kaige are among the various Chinese vans from domestic brands that chose to replicate the Toyota HiAce H200 vans with only minor styling differences. Other brands include government owned manufacturers including Jinbei and Foton.

References

^ "金龙凯歌轻客参数配置". autohome.com.cn.
^ "两种轴距可供选择实拍金龙凯歌轻客". autohome.com.cn.
^ "可行驶220公里厦门金龙凯歌电动版实拍". autohome.com.cn.
^ "2014 CAM (King Long, Farid) Placer-X 2.5L CDTi School Bus".

External links

http://www.kinglongvan.com.cn - King Long official site. (China)

[1] "金龙凯歌轻客参数配置". autohome.com.cn.

[2] "两种轴距可供选择实拍金龙凯歌轻客". autohome.com.cn.

[3] "可行驶220公里厦门金龙凯歌电动版实拍". autohome.com.cn.

[4] "2014 CAM (King Long, Farid) Placer-X 2.5L CDTi School Bus".

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