} ); Thats actually not too bad for the price of four Changlis. j.src = The back seats are equipped with two ISOFIX child safety seat restraint interfaces to cater to young families. Trendysort of. Whether youre skiing in the backcountry or trampolining in the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you. Given all the other foibles detailed here, that is probably not a bad thing. In October last year, Tesla cut the price of the Model 3 . Now, a new entry into Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology confirms that the Mini EV Cabrio is coming to market, per Car News China. Bizarrely, it's the EV we're most asked about after Tesla, despite its much lower profile. The Wuling MINI EV from GM costs between $4,000 and $6,000. '&l=' + l : ''; The Macaron is sold as a more premium and personalized variant that features redesigned darkened LED headlights, two-tone alloy wheels and exclusive body colors. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV ( Chinese: MiniEV) is a battery electric city car manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling since 2020. Onboard is a 9.3 kWh or 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack good for 75 or 169 km, respectively. } ()); Lets take a closer look at the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, RELATED: The Tata Avinya Concept Puts India On The Global EV Map. Now the Hong Guang Mini. s.type = 'text/javascript'; We don't mean the $4500 Wuling Hongguang Mini EV that Youtube dutifully trotted out as a Tesla killer in the last couple of months, but a whole bunch of Geely Group cars wearing various badges including Lynk & Co. Get in the comments and let us know which ones we missed or how wrong we were about the ones we haven't. Yes, the Citroen Ami is a quadricycle like the pilloried and terrifying Gee Whiz, but it's made by a proper car company Stellantis. GM unveils Wuling Hong Guang Mini cabrio This cute little cabrio makes our top billing not only because it is super-cute, but also because it is the newest version of the Wuling Hong Guang Mini that sells in China for less than $A8,000, and in February outsold the ever-popular Tesla Model 3 there. No spare tire is given as well. All rights reserved. [24], The Mini EV listed as the world's top selling plug-in car in January 2021. A dual waistline along with obvious arches for the 12 inches wheels accent very boxy looks. Ad Choices. The ground clearance offered is 125 mm. if(typeof window.DotMetricsObj != 'undefined') {DotMetricsObj.onAjaxDataUpdate();} As EVs make their inroads, the little Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV is leading the way. We could live with sitting on the wrong side of the Ami, which is barely wider than the Renault Twizy, but driving on the wrong side of a massive van would be no fun at all. This Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV car is 2917 mm long, 1493 m wide, and 1621 mm in height with a wheelbase of 1940 mm. According to an IANS report, Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV has overtaken Teslas Model 3 as the top-selling electric vehicle in the world in January and February. In September, only its 4 th month on the market, the Hong Guang Mini EV racked up sales in excess of 20,000, propelling it to the top of China's electric vehicle market," Kang said. window.dm = window.dm ||{ AjaxData:[]}; [18], In 2021 Lithuanian company Nikrob UAB announced a rebadged version of the Mini EV called the FreZe Nikrob with knock-down assembly in Vilnius, Lithuania. Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV has overtaken Tesla Model 3 as the world's most popular electric vehicle for the first time, according to the EV Sales blog. Change These Settings on Your New Samsung Phone. It loses the LED side strip, but gets a side marker in return. But GM and SAIC have been working together for 24 years. It would also ward off one of the Ami's drawbacks it's left-hand drive only. Could General Motors at least apply lessons learned from producing this super-cheap EV to other markets? It's highly likely theCabrio will share the fixed-roof model's same powertrain. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. I imagine it wont be that different from the roofed models. But with a parcel shelf right next to the driver, they can just pick what they need, swing open the door and step straight out onto the pavement. Standard safety features of the Mini EV include anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring sensors, and rear parking sensors. Alongside the truck is the R1S, an attractively boxy SUV starting at around seventy grand in the States, so probably a $160,000 bet here. Wuling had always produced microvans aimed at rural farmers and commercial buyers, so producing the Mini EV was a surprising move. The SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture has produced one of the most successful electric cars in China, the Wuling Hong Guan Mini EV.This electric car is so popular among Chinese drivers that Wuling is . Samara said that one of his key goals for GM would be to transform operations in Europe into an agile mobility startup. Globally, GM is investing $35 billion dollars in electric and autonomous vehicles by 2025, he said at the time, and we will focus closely on what customers need market by market, and where we will leverage our global investments in the areas of EVs and AVs to compete and win.. The e-Crafter van would be a good idea too if it wasn't left-hook only. s.type = 'text/javascript'; all we can say is this EV has every right to be on the top of the affordable EVs list. People in China arent buying the Mini EV for its design; theyre buying it at a reported rate of 1,800 models per day because its cheap and its range is good enough. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is a demo store for testing purposes no orders shall be fulfilled. Wolf Warrior X Is This The Smoothest eScooter? The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (Chinese: MiniEV) is a battery electric city car manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling since 2020. According to Statista, the average person in China makes $US13,900 ($18,056) a year. It also weighs a . Tesla Teased A Wireless Home Charging Solution On Investor Day, Rad Power Unveils The RadRunner 3 Plus Electric Utility Bike, Scout Motors Will Build Electric Trucks And SUVs In South Carolina, 741 liters of space with the rear seats folded down, 2,917 millimeters long, 1,493 millimeters wide and 1,621 millimeters high, with a 1,940-millimeter wheelbase. The Mini EV has a top speed of 62mph, and on an expressway, we managed to reach just over 50mph an experience that was much less unnerving than expected. [5], The Mini EV can seat four people, and standard features including air conditioning, power windows, stereo system, storage and compartments. The mini EV costs around $5,000 new. The Hong Guang Mini EV saw sales of 112,000 for the second half of 2020, ranking second behind Tesla's Model 3 which are made in its Shanghai factory. The Macaron is a more luxury and personalized model with modified darkened LED headlights, two-tone alloy wheels, and unique body colors. It was difficult to open the doors of the Wuling, but the battery appears to be mostly intact with only some damage. However, there are currently no plans to sell the vehicle in Australia. State-backed SAIC-GM-Wuling, a company partly owned by GM,. The four-seat Hong Guang Mini, which has top speeds of 62 mph and an estimated cruising range of 120 miles, is being made as a joint venture between SAIC Motor, Liuzhou Wuling Motors, and. f.parentNode.insertBefore( j, f ); low-cost start to electric family transportation, This Heritage Series Grandeur EV Celebrates Hyundai's 1986 Flagship Sedan, Why We Would Completely Approve If Pagani Built This V12 Huayra Concept SUV, The Car That Inspired The 240Z: The Datsun 2000 Is Back With A Sharp New Design, EXCLUSIVE: This Brand-New Mitsubishi EVO XI Render Gives New Life To The Japanese Compact Sports Car Scene, Oh, The Bargains To Be Had At This Supercar Dealership In Dubai, Why The Mid-Engined Ford Mustang Would Be More Than A Match For The C8 Chevrolet Corvette, 10 American Engines That Can Take A Beating And Keep Going Strong Past 200,000 Miles. it has halogen headlamps and halogen bulbs in indicators and rear lights. Look out Tesla, SAIC's $4,500 electric car takes China by storm. In his spare time Derek loves chasing automotive rabbits down the hole. Sport seems to be the better of the two modes, providing not only slightly smarter acceleration but also more noticeable braking regeneration. w[ l ] = w[ l ] || []; The battery is barely bigger than your phone's at 5.5kWh and the top speed roughly comparable to jogging, but if you've seen Sydney or Melbourne Saturday traffic 45km/h is a distant dream. Dismiss, Left Hand Drive Only (steering wheel on left), (shipping, duties, taxes in your country additional), Exterior dimensions: 2,917 mm long x 1,493 mm wide x 1,621 mm high, Maximum power:13 kW(4 seat) / 9.2 kW (2 seat), Range:170 km on a single charge (4 seat) / 120 km (2 seat). Standard features in China reportedly include air conditioning, rear parking sensors, anti-lock brakes, and a stereo system. Pricing for the drop-top version has yet to be determined, but according to .css-vurnku{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;min-width:0;}Automotive News the convertible will sell for between 100,000 yuan ($20,000) and 200,000 yuan ($42,100).. Now you can get the top stories from Gizmodo delivered to your inbox. Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow, and White Peach Pink are the colors created by Wuling in partnership with Pantone Universe. Speaking of value, prices for the Mini EV originally started at RMB28,800 ($4,389), while the 13.8-kWh luxury Macaron version we tested retailed for RMB43,600 ($6,645) until recently. While electric sedans and SUVs rapidly proliferate, there continues to be a dearth of drop-top EVs beyond the likes of the cabriolet versions of the Smart ForTwo and Fiat 500e. var d = document, In this configuration, the EV offers up 741 liters of space. Recently we came across a crash test conducted earlier this year in China, which might give us glimpses of what to expect. The Hong Guang Mini EV electric hatchback launched in July 2020 and is manufactured through a joint venture between China's Wuling, Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC Motor, and General. Whether you want a new keyboard or a robot vac, theres something for everyone. VW is so far resisting calls to bring the Golf-sized ID.3 here to Australia, citing Government policy as a blocker. The Mini EV Cabrio is getting the same 26 horsepower electric motor as the coup, but its price and range is still unknown. According to Tu Le, founder and managing director of Sino Auto Insights, there are two possibilities. That said, stuffing adults into those rear seats is not exactly comfortable. Aesthetically, the production vehicle is unlikely to change dramatically from its concept form. The Hong Guang Mini EV (really doesn't roll off the tongue, does it?) . Onboard is a 9.3 kWh or 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack good for 75 or 169 km, respectively. This change is because the new version will have a . China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data has revealed that the Hong Guang Mini EV . Mechanically, the Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron is equipped with a small electric motor that generates 20 kW (27 horsepower) and 85 Nm (62.7 pound-feet) of torque, up from the 13-kW (17.4-horsepower . Although not as uncomfortable as first expected, the offset pedal position gets tiring after an hour. The Macaron and Cabrio versions are likely to strengthen the Hong Guang MINI EV's market share in China, where it has already surpassed Tesla as the best-selling electric vehicle. Uncomfortable. There is no actual trunk even though there is a hatch at the back. Still, splashes of color matching the body color around the radio controls, door pulls, and passenger cupholder jazz up the interior. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is China's best-selling electric vehicle, outselling Tesla and all others. Demand for this tiny BEV . Early models did not include a driver airbag, but later models such as the Mini EV Macaron include the feature as standard. Unfortunately, Wheelsboy says youll never forget how cheap it is. On the plus side, given the sub-two-meter wheelbase, the turning circle is incredibly tight. If you need a bit more capacity, the back seats simply push down and pull up via a strap. The 116 Absolute Best Black Friday Deals Right Now. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our livesfrom culture to business, science to design. Sport seems to be the better of the two modes, providing not only slightly smarter acceleration but also more noticeable braking regeneration. It was founded in 2007 in the city of Liuzhou, near the border with Vietnam. The system power is 17 Horsepower (13 kW). Check out our Gear teams picks for the best fitness trackers, running gear (including shoes and socks), and best headphones, TurboTax service code 2023: Up to $15 off your purchase, 20% Off - All H&R Block 2023 Tax Software | H&R Block Discount Code, Instacart coupon code: $25 off any size order + free delivery, Extra 20% off sitewide - Dyson promo code, GoPro promo code: 10% off all sitewide purchases + free shipping, 2023 Cond Nast. Marketed as 'commuting tool,' Hong Guang Mini outsells the Model 3. The ID.4's SUV-like approach is also likely to play well with Australians, and we know it's already coming so one imagines the local business just doesn't think the ID.3 will resonate with Australian buyers. Slightly more substantial than the Ami, and rather more expensive, is Smart's ForTwo and ForFour which could probably land here well under forty grand. (function() { China has had a thriving industry in low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs), which in four-wheel form are more akin to golf carts. It can be charged using a normal 220-240V outlet. The Mini EV Cabrio: Wuling unveiled the Mini EV Cabrio, a convertible version of the Mini EV with a folding soft top, at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2021. Despite its compact dimensions the Hongguang Mini EV has four seats. The electric motor that comes in this Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV is 20 kW. Bit of a slam dunk this one. j = d.createElement( s ), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? 25,778 MINI EV's were purchased in China in January alone, compared to . [8] Based on the NEDC driving cycle, the estimated energy consumption of the Mini EV is 8,1 kWh/100km. Potential buyers will need to enter a lottery in order to buy one., Wuling says production could expand if theres enough demand.. NEDC Range (km) 170 (13.8 kWh) & 120 (9.2 kWh), Cutting Edge Mini City EV the Hong Guang MINI EV has a practical small on the outside, big on the inside design, Be the first to review Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. MORE: Everything micro carsMORE: Everything ChinaMORE: Everything 2021Shanghai motor show. According toAutohome, the micro electric two-door is slated to hit showrooms in 2022 and (at least initially) will be sold exclusively in China. [4] Retail deliveries began in China in July 2020. Its curb weight is around 665 kg. new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' A few-times heavier standard car would potentially destroy the Wuling in a similar way as the neighborhood EV was destroyed. Produced by SAIC-GM (GM) -Wuling, a company partially owned by General Motors, the Hong Guang Mini EV sells at a starting price that's equivalent to about $4,400. The Cabrio is set to go into production in China in 2022, with a rebadged variant called the Freze Nikrob Cabrio being available in Europe. It also comes with the anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and reversing radar. Luxury is relative, especially when you are dealing with a car as bare-bones as the original Mini EV. The Mini EV is therefore likely to have issues more frequently, but it will also be cheaper to repair. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. Copyright Drive.com.au 2023ABN: 84 116 608 158. General Motors (GM) has released new, colorful versions of China's best-selling electric car, the tiny Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. 38 Photos Wuling - Hong Guang MINI EV specs: Two battery/range options 120 km (75 miles) of range using 9.3 kWh battery 170 km (106 miles) of range using 13.9 kWh battery top speed of 100. SHANGHAI - Wuling launched the Hong Guang MINI EV today. Id love to get my hands on one of these cars, but we arent likely to see these here for a long time, if ever. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is the result of a three-way joint venture. Production will initially be limited to between 100 and 200 cars per month. The area might hold something extremely tiny; however, the car contains charging cords on the bottom. Cutting Edge Mini City EV - the Hong Guang MINI EV has a practical "small on the outside, big on the inside" design Left Hand Drive Only (steering wheel on left) Taking orders now for export direct (shipping, duties, taxes in your country additional) It is available in 2 versions: 2-seat with 120KM range battery / $5500 4-seat with 170KM range battery / $6600 Exterior dimensions: 2,917 mm . And, like any good motoring journalist, we will insist that not only must the VW Up! }. The bestselling Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) in China, the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV has found its way to Thailand. DAP Pricing Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs. Of course there are more out there and many of them will come from China. Tired: Limited to being a city car. Wuling is a Chinese car firm youre probably not too familiar with. [22][23], In January 2021, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), the Mini EV topped new energy vehicles sales with 25,778 units, compared to the Tesla Model 3 with 13,843 units sold in China. The car costs around $US4,400 ($5,716), compared with the $US38,000 ($49,362) that a Tesla Model 3 costs in China at current exchange rates. That the colors are a collaboration with Pantone speaks volumes; the Mini EV has managed a cult following, and the Macaron is clearly aimed at the young and cool. With fossil fuel prices soaring, its hardly surprising that most markets are crying out for cheaper EVs. Take a bite of these third-party apps instead. [5] Overview [ edit] Rear view The Mini EV Macaron: A version of the normal Mini EV introduced in April 2021. The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV car body is a Hatchback. measures a miniscule 2,917mm in length, 1,493mm in width, and 1,621mm in height, and rides on a 1,940mm wheelbase. You already know where this is going the Honda E. We're obviously not privy to the behind-closed-doors discussions that go on at car companies, but the local arm's decision to pass on one of the coolest cars on the planet, EV or not, is bizarre. There's no dreamland Ford e-Ranger or Toyota e-HiLux talk here because they don't exist yet and we already know whoever gets to the dual-cab ute market with a sensibly-priced electric version could end up ruling the world. We will keep our own label, Freze [formerly Frese], and this car will be not just be a rebadged Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, like it was under the Nikrob label, but it will be a [new body] car.. Updated daily with news on EV cars, EV bikes, EV scooters, electric vehicles Trends and market, commercial EVs, sales reports as well as detailed reviews by experts. Welcome to part one of three price-based EV buying guides, this one focused on the most affordable electric cars available in Australia today. This is enough to accommodate two 26-inch suitcases or a stroller. Externally, the Macaron version distinguishes itself from the standard Mini EV with a choice of funky pastel colors. This one is a proper long shot, but we stand by it, no matter what you say even if it is entirely reasonable. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { if(typeof window.DotMetricsObj != 'undefined') {DotMetricsObj.onAjaxDataUpdate();} Its curb weight is around 665 kg. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and First, there's the Mustang Mach-E, a car that made so many people incredibly mad until they started selling like mad (for an EV). I know Id rather have to change out that tiny bulb when it goes out than have to mess with an entire LED array. It's a small vehicle, without fancy safety systems, but the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture envisioned a front crumple zone. }; It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. However, cramming folks into those back seats isn't exactly pleasant. dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); The poor profit margin hasnt stopped Wuling and its sibling brand Baojun from creating more cars in the same vein. [9], A 26.5kWh model is due for 2022, with 280 kilometres (170mi) (CLTC) estimated range, an optional more powerful 30kW (40hp; 41PS) motor, and an improved interior. SAIC Motor is the largest partner, with 50.1 percent ownership. Some of this is due to its development: the model had gone from concept to manufacturing in less than a year, which seems utterly implausible until you get close to one. Notably, the upscale variant of the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV will have a slightly larger body as the wheelbase grows from 76.4 to 79.1 inches. . Sport mode appears to be the superior option, offering significantly faster acceleration and more obvious brake regeneration. When compared to one of the cheapest EVs on the market in the United States, the almost $28,000 Nissan Leaf, it's simple to understand why.