There was a time when gifts exchanged between nations to strengthen diplomatic ties were often animals, fine art, antiques, or memorabilia. But times have changed. Recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim received a rather modern token of goodwill—a sleek EV from Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
It’s a bit of a departure from tradition, but let’s be real—given the way the world is shifting, an electric vehicle is a pretty fitting symbol of progress. With EVs sitting at the heart of global discussions on sustainability, innovation, and industry, Erdoğan’s choice makes perfect sense. And not just any EV, either. He gifted Anwar a car from Turkey’s first homegrown electric brand, Togg.
The model in question? The T10F—a C-segment fastback saloon that made its global debut last year. It comes in both single- and dual-motor variants, with the former pushing out 210 PS and 350 Nm, while the latter packs a far punchier 435 PS and 700 Nm. Range? A solid 600 km on a full charge.
Togg isn’t stopping at saloons either. Their lineup also includes the T10X, a C-segment crossover SUV built on the same platform. While it shares the same motor configurations, its max range is slightly lower at 523 km.
Anwar reportedly took the T10F for a spin two days ago after it arrived in Malaysia—just ahead of his visit to Turkey to meet Erdoğan. However, despite receiving the car as a gift, he was quick to clarify that this wasn’t some personal joyride.
“He presented it to the Prime Minister, but I consider it a gift to the nation… It is not mine,” Anwar declared. He added that while he may use it during his tenure, the car would ultimately be returned to Turkey once he steps down.
A car, a diplomatic statement, and a subtle flex on the global EV stage—who knew a state gift could tick so many boxes?
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