The trains have a maximum capacity for 1308 passengers and a top speed of 80km/h and will be based on CSR Zhuzhou metro vehicles produced for Izmir, Turkey. CSR says the trains will be specially adapted to handle the line's sharp curves and gradients. Under the terms of the contract the first train will be delivered in 33 months with delivery completed in 51 months.
Construction of the initial 7.4km extension of the Ampang line to Puchong is underway and will ultimately add 17.7km to the existing 27km-long line as well as 13 stations when it opens in 2014. The new terminus at Putra Heights will interchange with the Kelana Jaya Line which is also being extended by 17km and 13 stations.
CSR Zhuzhou has already supplied 38 six-car emus for KTM commuter services in Kuala Lumpur, delivery of which is currently underway with four trains already in service. The Chinese manufacturer is also reportedly planning to invest in a manufacturing plant in Batu Gajah in Malaysia to support assembly of the new vehicles.
The tender for the new trains reportedly attracted six bidders with CSR Zhuzhou the lowest bidder beating offers from Bombardier/Scomi Rail, CAF/Tranz-I, CNR/EMRail, Hyundai Rotem/CMC Engineering and Astra, Romania/Smh Rail.
