William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' Whether youre skiing in the backcountry or trampolining in the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you. Each features a slightly different exterior finish, different wheels, and different trim. 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. Mahindra eXUV300 Expected Launch Date & Estimated Price, Mahindra eKUV 100 To Be Launched By End Of 2022, 2023 Mazda MX-30 Crossover SUV Mazdas First Electric Car, Maserati GranTurismo Folgore EV All-Electric Super Sports Car, Mahindra XUV400 EV New Electric compact SUV. j.async = true; s.type = 'text/javascript'; Priced this low, there is not much insulating the car from road noise. His favorite cars are anything with a manual transmission, and he's been known to spend hours just shifting through all the gears. The ForFour is somehow slightly cheaper, so would cost about the same. The same is not said for the steering, which is quite sloppy. On top of that, there's a cargo version, which would be brilliant for the suburbs. With no fast-charging capability, you really are stuck using the Mini EV as a city car. 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. Luxury is relative, especially when you are dealing with a car as bare-bones as the original Mini EV. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; The Lightning would appeal to tradies and adventurers with a solid (if unspectacular) driving range, but its clever vehicle-to-load setup will make work and campsites much easier places to be. var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[ 0 ], Thats actually not too bad for the price of four Changlis. 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). 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. The space might be able to fit something very thin, but the bottom is taken up with charging cables. A few-times heavier standard car would potentially destroy the Wuling in a similar way as the neighborhood EV was destroyed. Baojun, on the other hand, is a Wuling sub-brand aimed at the car market and was earlier to micro EVs than its parent company, with both the Smart-like E100 and E200. s.type = 'text/javascript'; In . 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. One-pedal driving isn't practical since the automobile takes too long to slow down, owing to its lightweight of 1,543 pounds. Get weekly updates with the latest car news and reviews. Its curb weight is around 665 kg. The tiny EV is made available only as a left-hand drive vehicle by local grey importers and is understood to not offer a warranty of any sort. The hardtop model starts at 28,000, or about A$6,177, and has a range of 169 km. It's called the Hong Guang Mini EV, and one of its major selling points is the fact it only costs $4,500 (or $5,000 with air conditioning). 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. Range is claimed to be between 120km on the base battery, and 280km on top-spec versions. Sport mode appears to be the superior option, offering significantly faster acceleration and more obvious brake regeneration. 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. 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. 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. However, the rear seats do individually push down and pull up with a strap, which is essential if you want to transport anything other than people. Little safety equipment. 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. 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. Theres a choice between 9.3- and 13.8-kWh battery packs, which are good for ranges of 75 miles (120 km) and 106 miles (170 km), respectively, under the already generous NEDC standard. China is the worlds largest car market and it has some tricks up its sleeve to entice people to go electric. The Battery Capacity, which is one of the most important parts of an Electric Vehicle, is 9.3 kWh or 13.9 kWh. w[ l ] = w[ l ] || []; You can whine all you like about the size, but large American trucks are selling here even after expensive right-hand drive conversions. Powering the rear wheels is an electric motor delivering 20 kW (27 hp) and 85 Nm of torque. 'gtm.start': With a modest 80kW, but reasonable 280Nm, the E-NV200 would be extremely cheap to run. j = d.createElement( s ), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? General information. The neighborhood EV was completely destroyed, not giving the occupant's a chance to survive (at least the front row). Bit of a slam dunk this one. Chinese government incentives include extending subsidies on NEV purchases, expediting a clear-out of older polluting vehicles, reducing taxes on used-car dealers and promoting electric-car sales in rural areas. body #page { 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. 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). Standard safety features of the Mini EV include anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring sensors, and rear parking sensors. But thanks to the 1,621 mm height, the Mini EV is actually taller than it is wide, so head room is reasonable. These are the top discounts weve found across the web. Lots of people ask why there aren't any small EVs on the market (we quickly explain there are several), and the talk quickly turns to price. Peter Anderson spent his high school years reading car mags in the back of class, and is mostly unable to count past the 18 fingers he has. It has received an advanced IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating and been put through 16 rigorous safety tests. Although not as uncomfortable as first expected, the offset pedal position gets tiring after an hour. It's a small vehicle, without fancy safety systems, but the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture envisioned a front crumple zone. The boot is almost non-existent when the seats are up: at best, you might be able to fit in one very thin painting. Standard features in China reportedly include air conditioning, rear parking sensors, anti-lock brakes, and a stereo system. However, as a low-cost start to electric family transportation, the automobile is far superior to a scooter or motorbike. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is China's best-selling electric vehicle, outselling Tesla and all others. 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. 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. 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. Surprisingly, the EV has a selector button hidden behind the steering wheel that lets you choose between Eco and Sport modes. This one is a proper long shot, but we stand by it, no matter what you say even if it is entirely reasonable. 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 Wuling MINI EV from GM costs between $4,000 and $6,000. [8] Based on the NEDC driving cycle, the estimated energy consumption of the Mini EV is 8,1 kWh/100km. The area might hold something extremely tiny; however, the car contains charging cords on the bottom. 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. Inside, the Macaron gets exterior color-matching inserts for the door pulls and highlights around what pass for controls. Your email address will not be published. The Hong Guang Mini EV (really doesn't roll off the tongue, does it?) A few videos of the convertible circulated around since then, but not much else besides the statement from Wuling. TOKYO -- At 28,800 yuan ($4,500), the Hongguang Mini EV has become a big seller in certain Chinese cities and villages. Unfortunately, Wheelsboy says youll never forget how cheap it is. Onboard is a 9.3 kWh or 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack good for 75 or 169 km, respectively. form, despite all indications pointing to its untimely end. 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. 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. Wolf Warrior X Is This The Smoothest eScooter? After all, the car is less than 3 meters long, 2,920 mm to be precise. The Gameboy Edition: A version introduced in March 2022. } ()); The battery is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. The Smart is, however, a considerable 170mm wider. var d = document, 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. Nissan's Leaf is the company's only electric passenger car here in Australia and our suggestion here is not going to add to that list. But the two-tone paint is still kind of here! . The Hong Guang MINI EV has a top speed of about 100 km/h, seats four and looks like a Japanese kei car. China's best-selling EV is tiny and incredibly affordable, and will soon become one of the few convertible EVs available today, or ever. Similar to the Rivian, the Ford F-150 Lightning would surely go off here too. 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. Macaron is written on the drivers side rear pillar black insert, and the car features color-coordinated white wheels and roof. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that the Mini EV can seat four. Theres no Park setting, though: the handbrake is the only way to hold the Mini EV. Last year the Hongguang Mini EV was Chinas best selling pure electric car with roughly 426,000 sales, well ahead of the considerably more expensive .css-vurnku{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;min-width:0;}Tesla Model 3 (321,000). Adding to the safety, more than 57% of the Hong Guang MINI EVs body consists of high-strength steel. 'gtm.start': The back seats are equipped with two ISOFIX child safety seat restraint interfaces to cater to young families. [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). The Master is a versatile panel van, available as either a platform cab or cab chassis, with a ton of space and a usable city driving range. w[ l ].push( { 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. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. } ); Guide to safely buying & selling a car online, Police forced to pay for car tracking app to find abducted toddler report, Hundreds of electrified cars deregistered in Victoria due to road-user tax report, 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 facelift unveiled, due in Australia next year, Renault Espace five- and seven-seat SUV under consideration for Australia, Upcoming Lotus electric sedan spied on a tow truck in the Arctic. s = d.createElement('script'); /* ]]> */ The poor profit margin hasnt stopped Wuling and its sibling brand Baojun from creating more cars in the same vein. Above 30 mph, you end up fighting the cars desire to go in a straight line. We already know the e-2008 compact SUV is on its way but the French car's importer remains cagey on the e-208. All rights reserved. Recently we came across a crash test conducted earlier this year in China, which might give us glimpses of what to expect. s.async = true; body #page { 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. That said, stuffing adults into those rear seats is not exactly comfortable. Both of these only seat two people, and the E200 is also sold in a slightly restyled manner as the Wuling Nano, with a more powerful motor and longer ranges. The four motor R1T ute starts at under 70 grand in the US and would probably still be competitive after the usual taxes, charges and Government obstacles were cleared most likely walloping buyers around $150k in local trim. To further aid in the adoption of EVs, the Chinese government has announced measures to boost sales, from Automotive News: The government will encourage steady increases on spending on cars and abolish excessive restrictions on the sale of used vehicles, Premier Li Keqiang told the National Peoples Congress in Beijing on Friday. It was founded in 2007 as a joint venture between Wuling Group and Dragon Hill Holdings in Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. Heres our ultimate list of more than 120 items, from monitors and desks to webcams and chairs. This screenoffers basic information such as speed, range, and electricity consumption, along with a natty 3D rendering of the Mini EV. Privacy Policy. The Mini EV is a step up from this levelcloser to a Japanese kei micro car. Whether you want a new keyboard or a robot vac, theres something for everyone. However, in the case of the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, things look much better. It was first manufactured and delivered sometime in July 2020. 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). The production model probably wont get the body-coloured mirror, either. The Hong Guang Mini EV's convenience and low price have made it . Sport seems to be the better of the two modes, providing not only slightly smarter acceleration but also more noticeable braking regeneration. 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. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and 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. After another 40,000 units or so in November, the total number of Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV soon will reach 500,000 - in just 18 months. SAIC Motor is the largest partner, with 50.1 percent ownership. It also features 12 storage spaces. These are very limited, with three dials for climate control and a very small LCD screen for the radio. 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 27 Best Mac Apps That Will Make Your Life Easier. window.dm = window.dm ||{ AjaxData:[]}; 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 WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our livesfrom culture to business, science to design. [19], The Mini EV GameBoy Edition was introduced in March 2022. 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. One must resist the car's urge to travel in a straight line over 30 mph. It is a three-door electric microcar that . Charging cables fill up the space at the bottom of the boot. Luckily as youre unlikely to ever get the Mini EV much above 50 mph this never becomes too much of a problem. This is paired to either a 9.2kWh, 13.9kWh, or 25.5kWh battery. Yes, I wish to receive exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions from our partners. Apples tablet lineup is more confusing than ever. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Enter your email below. Privacy Policy. The lack of proper headrests for adults makes any long journey a challenge. 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. [24], The Mini EV listed as the world's top selling plug-in car in January 2021. Bizarrely, it's the EV we're most asked about after Tesla, despite its much lower profile. First, the driving position is very high and the seats are non-height-adjustable. [11] The car has attracted a cult following in China, with owners frequently modifying their vehicles. According to Nikkei Asia, 112,000 units of the Hong Guang Mini EV were sold in China between July and the end of 2020, making it the country's second best-selling EV after the Tesla Model 3. The e-Crafter van would be a good idea too if it wasn't left-hook only. With no fast-charging capacity, the Mini EV is essentially a city car. [CDATA[ */ 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. 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. Second, the is offset to the center. According toAutohome, the micro electric two-door is slated to hit showrooms in 2022 and (at least initially) will be sold exclusively in China. s.src = 'https://au-script.dotmetrics.net/door.js?d=' + document.location.host + '&t=other'; h.appendChild(s); 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. While power isn't cheap in our privatised power nirvana our politicians were so keen to sell us, it is increasingly moving to renewable sources. [17] The Macaron also receives more safety equipment compared to the previous base trim level, including low-speed pedestrian warning, a reversing camera with rear parking sonar and a driver-side airbag. var d = document, MacOS may be the apple of your eye, but some of its stock apps are a little rotten. Welcome to part one of three price-based EV buying guides, this one focused on the most affordable electric cars available in Australia today. At the very first look, the car also looks small than usual cars. It loses the LED side strip, but gets a side marker in return. The overall looks of the car seem to be very simple and boxy. Copyright Drive.com.au 2023ABN: 84 116 608 158. measures a miniscule 2,917mm in length, 1,493mm in width, and 1,621mm in height, and rides on a 1,940mm wheelbase. Dartz's decision to redesign the car's body highlights one of the obvious problems with selling the Chinese car in Western markets: safety. '&l=' + l : ''; margin-top: -19px; The ground clearance offered is 125 mm. MORE: Everything micro carsMORE: Everything ChinaMORE: Everything 2021Shanghai motor show. So an incredibly cheap, bare-bones city car makes a lot of sense. A distinct whine from the electric motor accompanies you as you drive along. Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow, and White Peach Pink are the colors created by Wuling in partnership with Pantone Universe. }. But the Mini EVs diminutive size also makes darting in and out of traffic quite satisfying. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. The Mini GameBoy Edition is outfitted in four different variations: Hurricane Phantom, Jungle Traveler, Star Rover, and Party Sweetheart. A Detailed Look At The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, The Tata Avinya Concept Puts India On The Global EV Map. s = d.createElement('script'); Sitting at a desk for hours? 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. Given all of its other flaws, that's probably not a terrible thing. Marketed as 'commuting tool,' Hong Guang Mini outsells the Model 3. Wuling itself may be hoping to replicate the Mini EVs success with its forthcoming Air EV, which appears to be a move into pricier models and could conceivably signal a desire to go after overseas markets. Yamamoto discovered that the parts were largely off-the-shelf and consumer-grade, rather than automotive grade. [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. Surprisingly, the EV includes a concealed toggle button behind the steering wheel that allows drivers to choose between Eco and Sport modes. Potential buyers will need to enter a lottery in order to buy one., Wuling says production could expand if theres enough demand.. The controls for the electric windows are located on the center console, next to the drive selector knob. 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. Now, hear us out on this one. According to Tu Le, founder and managing director of Sino Auto Insights, there are two possibilities. 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. Powering the rear wheels is an electric motor delivering 27 hp of power and 85 Nm of torque. electric van, but we can't for the life of us remember if we've ever seen one in the wild. Early models did not include a driver airbag, but later models such as the Mini EV Macaron include the feature as standard. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Similar clues to the budget nature of the build quality are shown in areas such as a simple bare screw attaching the door pulls in the front. The Mini EV is equipped with a 9.2kWh battery capable of a NEDC range of 120km (75mi) or a 13.8kWh battery capable of a NEDC range of 170km (110mi). But GM and SAIC have been working together for 24 years. SHANGHAI - Wuling launched the Hong Guang MINI EV today. [CDATA[ */ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is a demo store for testing purposes no orders shall be fulfilled. 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. Let us know if you think we could be doing something better. 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. } )( window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-WT4MKNJ' ); It also weighs a . Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is the result of a three-way joint venture. 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 . 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. if(typeof window.DotMetricsObj != 'undefined') {DotMetricsObj.onAjaxDataUpdate();} Matthew Raymond Wilbon Age, 318722430738ff6bb55c23 Stockbridge Amphitheater Concerts 2022, Whatever Who Cares Jokes, Bridge Over Troubled Waters Technique, Articles H