In addition, the battery of the Mini EV has passed 16 safety test such as over-charge, over discharge, over-temperature, short circuit, fire, seawater immersion, simulated collision, etc. Look out Tesla, SAIC's $4,500 electric car takes China by storm. }. An electrified version of Tatas Nanowhich is dubbed the world's cheapest car, costs just over $2,000, and is getting surprisingly decent reviewshas been rumored for some time now. The special edition Mini EVs have a redesigned front fascia with an additional LED strip connecting the two light clusters, in addition to revised headlights with LED daytime running lights. Nikrob was a temporary inter-step, says company founder Leonard Yankelovich. Electric vehicles should be going great guns at the moment we've all been trapped in the country (and mostly our states) for months, there's nothing to do and for some reason we're paying pre-GFC prices for our petrol. On top of that, there's a cargo version, which would be brilliant for the suburbs. 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. William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. This EV is not available outside China, but we got behind the wheel of the luxury Macaron version in China to see if this super-cheap electric car was any good, and what US and European manufacturers could learn about how to make more affordable electric cars. The bestselling Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) in China, the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV has found its way to Thailand. The colors are Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow and White Peach Pink, which are the results of the collaboration of Wuling and Pantone Universe. Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers, Tesla details Model Y suspension changes, more updates coming, Mazda's largest SUV here in August with hybrid-beating efficiency. [20] Its exterior has been completely restyled with larger dimension, while the power remains to be unchanged and carried over from the standard Mini EV producing 27hp (20kW; 27PS) and 85Nm (63lbft) or 40hp (30kW; 41PS) and 110Nm (81lbft), mated to a 9.2, 13.9, or 25.5 kWh battery. EV Charging explained: Home and public charging, power levels and plugs, Australia's EV policies: What's happening in each state and territory in 2021 UPDATED, No ICE reduction target included in Australia's net zero 2050 plan. 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. 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. Check out this review from the Wheelsboy YouTube channel: Despite its cheap price, it also comes with a suite of handy features like radar for reversing, antilock brakes and a tire pressure monitoring system. However, the Mini EV's small size makes dashing in and out of traffic extremely enjoyable. Discover the city streets in a MINI Electric Hatch or MINI Countryman Hybrid with a 5.99% p.a comparison rate on a 36-month MINI Flex agreement*. But increased battery costs have seen prices rise by around $1,000. Being a compact van, it's not too big so would be good for the urban cut and thrust. j = d.createElement( s ), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? A distinct whine from the electric motor accompanies you as you drive along. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and img#wpstats{display:none} It is legal to drive on public roads, despite its wheels being just 12 inches in diameter and having a peak speed of only 62 miles per hour. First, the driving position is very high and the seats are non-height-adjustable. However, cramming folks into those back seats isn't exactly pleasant. Your email address will not be published. Production will initially be limited to between 100 and 200 cars per month. Unfortunately, Wheelsboy says youll never forget how cheap it is. var d = document, Of course there are more out there and many of them will come from China. The EV has a lot more room in this arrangement. Sport mode appears to be the superior option, offering significantly faster acceleration and more obvious brake regeneration. Can seat four. As of January2022[update], sales since inception have passed 500,000 units, and the Mini EV has become the best-selling electric car in China. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { The boot is almost non-existent when the seats are up: at best, you might be able to fit in one very thin painting. body #page { Surprisingly, the EV includes a concealed toggle button behind the steering wheel that allows drivers to choose between Eco and Sport modes. After hitting the market in July 2020, GM reports that over 270,000 models have been sold. Wayward steering.) [10], In 2020, the Mini EV had a price starting at US$4,162, and topped out at US$5,607 for a fully-loaded model, making it China's cheapest electric car. The Blue Oval is keen to woo those who carry gear around for a living and knows that these folks are offended by the cost of fuel. The back seats, on the other hand, independently push down and draw up with a strap, which is necessary if one wishes to move anything other than people. In the end, all the states can do is lead a punter to a beer, it's up to the product makers to make one nice enough to drink. Above 30 mph, you end up fighting the cars desire to go in a straight line. 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 battery pack is pre-started to warm up and maintain the battery pack temperature at 20-25 C to achieve low-temperature charging efficiency. A new all-electric car that is tiny in both size and price has again outsold the Tesla Model 3 in China on a month-by-month basis, with sales of the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV almost doubling those of Telsa's hugely popular global best-seller in January 2021. 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. Wuling Motors designs and manufactures tiny electric automobiles, school buses, engines, and automobile parts. form, despite all indications pointing to its untimely end. The Macaron is a customized version that is available with three exclusive paint colors and more standard features. It was founded in 2007 in the city of Liuzhou, near the border with Vietnam. The mini EV costs around $5,000 new. 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). A digital dial screen is the only real concession to modern technology and shows driving data such as speed and range along with a nice graphical rendition of the car, plus it acts as the reversing cameras display. Once in the drivers seat, you immediately notice two issues. [CDATA[ */ The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV car body is a Hatchback. Privacy Policy. Onboard is a 9.3 kWh or 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack good for 75 or 169 km, respectively. A battery-powered motor lets you enjoy most of the benefits of biking, minus the sweat. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. w[ l ] = w[ l ] || []; The Smart is, however, a considerable 170mm wider. The convertible electric microcar which was built as part of a collaboration between SAIC and General Motors could come onto the market as soon as 2022. [16], SAIC-GM-Wuling launched a variant of the regular Mini EV called the Mini EV Macaron in April 2021. SHUHEI YAMADA, Nikkei Asia Tech chief editor December 20, 2021 11:23 JST. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. [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. var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[ 0 ], It can be charged using a 220V three-pin plug at a household and is equipped with a high-efficiency charging gun with easy storage. 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. In January,CarAdvice reported a hard-top variant of the Hongguang Mini EV designed and built as part of a collaboration betweenSAIC and General Motors outsold the Tesla Model 3 in Chinathroughout January 2021, thanks in part to its impressive AU$5700price tag. Wolf Warrior X Is This The Smoothest eScooter? 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 km/h. Apple has several models in its lineup, from the iPhone SE to the iPhone 14 Plus. It can be used on normal roads without restriction, although its wheels are only 12 inches and its speed tops out at just 62 mph (100 km/h). The Hong Guang MINI EV has a top speed of about 100 km/h, seats four and looks like a Japanese kei car. j.async = true; Apples tablet lineup is more confusing than ever. if(typeof window.DotMetricsObj != 'undefined') {DotMetricsObj.onAjaxDataUpdate();} 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. Still, splashes of color matching the body color around the radio controls, door pulls, and passenger cupholder jazz up the interior. Ad Choices. You must appreciate that for many buyers, this will be their first car or their only option, and its infinitely safer than piling a family onto a motorbike or electric scooter. 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. The lack of proper headrests for adults makes any long journey a challenge. 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).. The Hong Guang Mini EV (really doesn't roll off the tongue, does it?) According to Autohome, the micro electric two-door is slated to hit showrooms in 2022 and (at least initially) will be sold exclusively in China. The neighborhood EV was completely destroyed, not giving the occupant's a chance to survive (at least the front row). The driver would have a chance to survive with some leg and head injury. "A range . The front and rear lighting also appear less premium, going from two circular LEDs that looked like the headlights on the Honda e to a blockier shape that looks more like the c-shaped lights on a a lot of modern trucks. This screenoffers basic information such as speed, range, and electricity consumption, along with a natty 3D rendering of the Mini EV. The battery is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance. s.type = 'text/javascript'; The Mini EV is actually higher than it is wide due to its 1,621 mm height; thus, headroom is adequate. His favorite cars are anything with a manual transmission, and he's been known to spend hours just shifting through all the gears. Thanks to the folding fabric roof and rollover hoops, the cabrio version is strictly a two-seater, though. "The sales of the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV exceeded 15,000 units within only 20 days after it hit the market at the Chengdu Motor Show that kicked off on July 24, the first mini-sized EV. . Similar to the Rivian, the Ford F-150 Lightning would surely go off here too. The ground clearance offered is 125 mm. WIREDs is in avocado green, but the model is also available in lemon yellow and white peach pink. Welcome to part one of three price-based EV buying guides, this one focused on the most affordable electric cars available in Australia today. Wuling is a Chinese car firm youre probably not too familiar with. Check out this review from the Wheelsboy YouTube channel: 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. If you're stuck in a lift with us for long enough we will start trying to convince you that EV uptake will not be led by private buyers, but by tradies and small business. The EVs Australia needs. 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. s.async = true; It is 2,917 millimeters long, 1,493 millimeters wide and 1,621 [] window.dm = window.dm ||{ AjaxData:[]}; Watch Tesla Model Y Vs Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ Crash Test, Renault ZOE Gets Devastating 0 Stars From Euro NCAP, Watch Tesla Cybertruck Vs Tesla Semi Launches Side-By-Side In Texas, Devastating Price Difference: Hyundai Kona Electric Vs Chevy Bolt EV, Tesla To Offer Unlimited Overnight Charging For About $1 Per Day, Tesla Models Among EVs With Worst Predicted Reliability: Consumer Reports, Tesla's Next-Gen Electric Motors Will Get Rid Of Rare Earth Elements, First Tesla V4 Supercharger Spotted In The Netherlands, Considering A Tesla Or Another EV? With the 40kWh battery, it has a healthy city driving range of up to 300km, which is probably a week's driving for a good number of businesses. Tesla's biggest rival in China is the Wuling HongGuang Mini EV that starts at around $4,200. The Mini GameBoy Edition is outfitted in four different variations: Hurricane Phantom, Jungle Traveler, Star Rover, and Party Sweetheart. Now you can get the top stories from Gizmodo delivered to your inbox. With sales commencing as early as September 2020. I know Id rather have to change out that tiny bulb when it goes out than have to mess with an entire LED array. Powering the rear wheels is an electric motor delivering 27 hp of power and 85 Nm of torque. Wuling is coy regarding acceleration figures, but since the vehicle is electric and has instantaneous torque, it isnt unduly slow in town traffic. Adding to the safety, more than 57% of the Hong Guang MINI EVs body consists of high-strength steel. Each features a slightly different exterior finish, different wheels, and different trim. Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. window.dm.AjaxEvent = function(et, d, ssid, ad){ More car parks, EV charging stations and battery-swapping facilities will be built, and battery recycling systems developed at a faster pace, Li said. [8] Based on the NEDC driving cycle, the estimated energy consumption of the Mini EV is 8,1 kWh/100km. Click for Comparison rate warning and T&Cs. There are also two USB type A ports that allow you to play music or charge a device. Thats a considerable price premium over the regular Hongguang Mini EV, which starts from just 32,800 yuan ($6900) and stretches to 69,8000 yuan ($14,700) for a fully-loaded Game Boy edition. Mind you, access to the back is predictably quite tight from both sides, and once youve squeezed yourself in there, legroom is minimal. /*