The Nissan E-NV200 might not be much of a looker, but on paper it's a brilliant city van like the Peugeot Partner or VW Caddy. 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. The same cannot be said for the steering, which is generally imprecise. Derek Fung would love to tell you about his multiple degrees, but he's too busy writing up some news right now. body #page { var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[ 0 ], Sport mode appears to be the superior option, offering significantly faster acceleration and more obvious brake regeneration. It's highly likely theCabrio will share the fixed-roof model's same powertrain. Renault had a go with the Kangoo Z.E. Or is it? A dual waistline along with obvious arches for the 12 inches wheels accent very boxy looks. The colors are Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow and White Peach Pink, which are the results of the collaboration of Wuling and Pantone Universe. Wolf Warrior X Is This The Smoothest eScooter? form, despite all indications pointing to its untimely end. For short trips to the shops and back, the Ami is the perfect city runabout and might get a few belching dungers off the streets. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is a demo store for testing purposes no orders shall be fulfilled. With seven seats (that'll be popular, don't you think?) The production model probably wont get the body-coloured mirror, either. The steering is imprecise and when cornering at over 30mph you feel as if youre fighting the cars inertia. w[ l ].push( { 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. E lectric 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 . var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[ 0 ], [17], The Macaron is equipped with a small electric motor that generates a more powerful 20kW (27hp; 27PS) and 85Nm (63lbft) of torque compared to the previously launched base trim while range remains unchanged. 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. The Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone. Luckily as youre unlikely to ever get the Mini EV much above 50 mph this never becomes too much of a problem. The production Mini EV Cabrio looks less premium than the concept. 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. On top of that, there's a cargo version, which would be brilliant for the suburbs. At least there are some concessions to safety: while the original Mini EVs featured little more than the steel body cage, anti-lock brakes, and Isofix anchors for child seats, the Macaron adds a drivers airbag. The model is equipped with the BMS intelligent battery management system, as well as low-temperature pre-heating technology and battery insulation. Limited to using a standard 220V AC outlet, charging is naturally slow, with the base battery pack taking six hours to fully recharge. Whether youre skiing in the backcountry or trampolining in the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you. 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 . In December, GM announced that Mahmoud Samara, a VP for Cadillac North America, had been made president of GM Europe. 'gtm.start': 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. 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Now you can get the top stories from Gizmodo delivered to your inbox. The overall looks of the car seem to be very simple and boxy. } ()); It can be charged using a normal 220-240V outlet. 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. Now the Hong Guang Mini. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { The cars crashed at 64 km/h (40 mph) each, with a 50% offset, which turned out to be deadly to the red neighborhood electric vehicle, despite both being similar in size and weight (560 kg Wuling vs 568 kg red EV). In 2003, China became, for a time, the second-largest single market for GM, selling Chinese-only versions of Buicks and launching Chevrolet in the jurisdiction in 2005. Your email address will not be published. It was founded in 2007 as a joint venture between Wuling Group and Dragon Hill Holdings in Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. The results: left - driver, right - passenger in the rear: Well, if this is the result of a 50% frontal crash with a light neighborhood electric vehicle, it's scary to think what would happen if it would be a standard car (1,200-2,400 kg). all we can say is this EV has every right to be on the top of the affordable EVs list. While there is a hatch at the back, there is no real trunk to speak of. The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV car measures a diminutive 2920mm yet four adults can fit in without too much contortion. The space might be able to fit something very thin, but the bottom is taken up with charging cables. Dartz, a Latvian company known for bulletproof SUVs, was planning to sell the Mini EV as the Freze Nikrob in Europe, but those plans appear to have changed. With a modest 80kW, but reasonable 280Nm, the E-NV200 would be extremely cheap to run. [14] The vehicle has been such a success that it has inspired a number of copycats and competitors, including the Chery QQ Ice Cream, Dongfeng Fengguang MINI EV,[15] and BAW S3. The Hong Guang MINI EV has a top speed of about 100 km/h, seats four and looks like a Japanese kei car. window.dm = window.dm ||{ AjaxData:[]}; There are also Isofix child-seat attachments, and the seats are indeed best for childrenthe lack of real headrests for adults makes any extended trip a strain. [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 EV has a lot more room in this arrangement. Nissan's Leaf remains the cheapest electric car in the US market, with the entry-level model priced at $20,875 (after the $7,500 federal tax credit). 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. But GM and SAIC have been working together for 24 years. No spare tire is given as well. 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. [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. Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. The colors areAvocado Green, Lemon Yellow, and White Peach Pink, which are the results of the collaboration of Wuling and Pantone Universe. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. If we arent limited by business model, the data could be used to develop a shared car, or a ride-hailing city car, that could be used in city centers where passenger cars are banneda growing and likely permanent trend, he says. SAIC Motor is the largest partner, with 50.1 percent ownership. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. A shame, but if it could land at a mid-$30k price point, French car fans are just mad enough to do it. Or it could take a very different route. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is the result of a three-way joint venture. [8] Based on the NEDC driving cycle, the estimated energy consumption of the Mini EV is 8,1 kWh/100km. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Exterior specifications of Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV 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. 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. The Mini EV Cabrio is getting the same 26 horsepower electric motor as the coup, but its price and range is still unknown. The mini EV costs around $5,000 new. Everything You Need to Work From Home Like a Pro. f.parentNode.insertBefore( j, f ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Of course there are more out there and many of them will come from China. First, the driving position is very high and the seats are non-height-adjustable. The Macaron is a customized version that is available with three exclusive paint colors and more standard features. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and The reason the little Hong Guang MINI EV is beating the Tesla Model 3 is simple: Its dirt cheap. Bit of a slam dunk this one. But is it safe? [5] Overview [ edit] Rear view Tesla Giga Mexico To Be Two Times Bigger Than Giga Texas? We break them all down. One of Chinas biggest automotive companiesin 2021 it was second by volumeSAIC is perhaps best known in Europe as the new owner of MG. Casual observers of the auto industry may be more surprised to learn that the second-largest Wuling owner, with 44 percent, is General Motors (the small remainder of the joint venture belongs to Wuling itself). The e-Crafter van would be a good idea too if it wasn't left-hook only. The Gameboy Edition: A version introduced in March 2022. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is China's best-selling electric vehicle, outselling Tesla and all others. MORE: Everything micro carsMORE: Everything ChinaMORE: Everything 2021Shanghai motor show. Change These Settings on Your New Samsung Phone. You can get one through the usual JDM importers for not-insane money, but without factory backing, life might be difficult if the battery needs recalling etc. Recently we came across a crash test conducted earlier this year in China, which might give us glimpses of what to expect. According to The Verge, more than 36,000 of the tiny cars were sold in January compared to nearly 21,500 Model 3s, and the Hong Guang sold just more than 20,000 units in February compared to just under 13,700 Tesla 3s. 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. 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. It also features 12 storage spaces. 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. The ForFour is somehow slightly cheaper, so would cost about the same. It loses the LED side strip, but gets a side marker in return. Earlier this month five Chinese. dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); window.dm.AjaxEvent = function(et, d, ssid, ad){ Aesthetically, the production vehicle is unlikely to change dramatically from its concept form. 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. The fact that the Mini EV can seat four people is maybe the biggest surprise. So such a car, even devoid of bells or whistles, could make electric motoring affordable for a much broader market. microcar return to our shores, but it should be in e-Up! China Sends a Warning to the U.S. About Domestic EV Battery Production, Global EV Adoption Hits New High of 20 Million Thanks to Tiny Electric Cars, Electric Cars Sold In Record Numbers Globally In 2021, A Serious Threat to Tesla Emerges in Nissan. 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 ForTwo is about 19,000 in the UK which could translate to a low to mid-$30k price tag. Even though you cannot buy this car outside of China, if we had to rate it on WIRED's scoring system, we'd charitably give it a 5 out of 10 (Wired: Bargain basement price for an EV. The battery comes preheating and insulation function which allows it to be charged safely and efficiently at low temperatures. 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? The compact dimensions make it ideal for urban commuting and parking in tight spaces, yet the interior still has up to 741 liters of space with the rear seats folded down. The Peugeot e-Expert has a silly name and isn't much to look at, but has an impressive driving range for a commercial vehicle (330km WLTP) and decent power and torque. As of January 2022, sales since inception have passed 500,000 units, and the Mini EV has become the best-selling electric car in China. MacOS may be the apple of your eye, but some of its stock apps are a little rotten. The three variants of the brand's first four-seat new energy vehicle are priced between RMB 28,800 and RMB 38,800. Which is probably holding back the funky hatchback from a local release in electric form, just as it's hugely unlikely we'll ever see the ICE 208 here. 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. Marketed as 'commuting tool,' Hong Guang Mini outsells the Model 3. Production will initially be limited to between 100 and 200 cars per month. Enter your email below. 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. We may not legally be able to get ahold of the Mini EV as it sells in China, but there is an outside chance GM will be using the know-how gained from producing this budget electric car to release a US or European EV that retails below the $10,000 mark. [6], Power is produced by an electric motor making a peak 20kW (27hp; 27PS) and 85Nm (63lbft) of torque[7] with rear-wheel drive, propelling the car to a stated top speed of 100km/h (62mph). [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. This electric car is so popular among Chinese drivers that Wuling is making a cabrio model for 2022 despite convertibles not selling well in the country, as Car News China reports. 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. 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. dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); Still, splashes of color matching the body color around the radio controls, door pulls, and passenger cupholder jazz up the interior. But as a cheap introduction to electric family motoring, the car is infinitely safer and better than a scooter or motorbike. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; According to Tu Le, founder and managing director of Sino Auto Insights, there are two possibilities. Ad Choices. However, cramming folks into those back seats isn't exactly pleasant. Wuling Hongguang Mini EV The base version of the Hongguang is delivered with a 9.2 kWh battery and 13 kW electric motor which drives the rear wheels through a single-speed transmission. Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. [12][13] The popularity has been compared to that of kei cars in Japan. img#wpstats{display:none} The Hongguang Mini EV, a joint venture between the Chinese-owned SAIC Motor and US auto giant General Motors (GM), retails for $4,500 (around 3,200 / AU$5600) and is proving a hit against its. The Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, introduced by the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture (between SAIC, GM and Liuzhou Wuling Motors), is no one of the most popular EVs in China. The Mini GameBoy Edition is outfitted in four different variations: Hurricane Phantom, Jungle Traveler, Star Rover, and Party Sweetheart. 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. 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. Uncomfortable. window.dm = window.dm ||{ AjaxData:[]};