The three variants of the brand's first four-seat new energy vehicle are priced between RMB 28,800 and RMB 38,800. So such a car, even devoid of bells or whistles, could make electric motoring affordable for a much broader market. all we can say is this EV has every right to be on the top of the affordable EVs list. [CDATA[ */ Safer than a scooter. They're not cheap though, and here in Australia suffered from a bit of a Tiddly Cars from Toy Town image. It would be easy to compare the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV unfairly with pricier and better-equipped cars. 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. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is China's best-selling electric vehicle. Whether you want a new keyboard or a robot vac, theres something for everyone. On top of that, there's a cargo version, which would be brilliant for the suburbs. State-backed SAIC-GM-Wuling, a company partly owned by GM,. Being two-seaters, theyve never really sold well, but the E300 (aka Kiwi EV) in many ways replicates the Mini EV formula, except it costs around twice as much and features a chunky robot-like appearance and desirable features such as fast charging. }. w[ l ] = w[ l ] || []; The area might hold something extremely tiny; however, the car contains charging cords on the bottom. One-pedal driving isn't practical since the automobile takes too long to slow down, owing to its lightweight of 1,543 pounds. s = d.createElement('script'); } ()); 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 . 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. 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. 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. 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. [16], SAIC-GM-Wuling launched a variant of the regular Mini EV called the Mini EV Macaron in April 2021. Standard features in China reportedly include air conditioning, rear parking sensors, anti-lock brakes, and a stereo system. Each features a slightly different exterior finish, different wheels, and different trim. new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' }; Apples tablet lineup is more confusing than ever. Tesla's biggest rival in China is the Wuling HongGuang Mini EV that starts at around $4,200. * MINI Finance, Australian Credit Licence 392387. The front suspension is McPherson and the rear one is Multi-link dependent type. In this story we're looking at EVs that exist today that we miss out on. Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. And with such small wheels, you feel every pothole, all the more so given the poorly padded seats. 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. After hitting the market in July 2020, GM reports that over 270,000 models have been sold. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. [17], A convertible concept version of the Mini EV called the Mini EV Cabrio with a folding soft top was unveiled during the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, with the vehicle body design based on the Mini EV Macaron. It was difficult to open the doors of the Wuling, but the battery appears to be mostly intact with only some damage. h = d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0], w[ l ] = w[ l ] || []; 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. 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 e-Crafter van would be a good idea too if it wasn't left-hook only. [8] Based on the NEDC driving cycle, the estimated energy consumption of the Mini EV is 8,1 kWh/100km. No spare tire is given as well. 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. The 116 Absolute Best Black Friday Deals Right Now. The Hong Guang MINI EV has a top speed of about 100 km/h, seats four and looks like a Japanese kei car. Lets take a closer look at the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, RELATED: The Tata Avinya Concept Puts India On The Global EV Map. 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. However, the Mini EV's small size makes dashing in and out of traffic extremely enjoyable. The steering is imprecise and when cornering at over 30mph you feel as if youre fighting the cars inertia. Measuring just 2917mm long, 1493mm wide, 1621mm tall, and riding on a 1940mm wheelbase, the Mini EV is larger than the current Smart ForTwo by 222mm in length, 66mm in height, and 67mm in wheelbase. The Hong Guang Mini EV (really doesn't roll off the tongue, does it?) The ForFour is somehow slightly cheaper, so would cost about the same. Now you can get the top stories from Gizmodo delivered to your inbox. You dont get airbags, and the passenger doesnt even get a seatbelt reminder. 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). Yes, I wish to receive exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions from our partners. j.async = true; He travels frequently and always seeks out the best driving roads to really test a car's limits. 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. One of China's biggest automotive companiesin 2021 it. 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 . It's time for car companies to step up and offer us some product that we all know would fly off the forecourts. Onboard is a 9.3 kWh or 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack good for 75 or 169 km, respectively. Which iPhone Should You Buy (or Avoid) Right Now? After all, the automobile is just 2,921 millimeters long, or less than 3 meters. 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. The compact zero-emission hatchback reportedly weighs just 665kg. Once in the drivers seat, you immediately notice two issues. There are also two USB type A ports that allow you to play music or charge a device. The EV has a lot more room in this arrangement. The batterys functions can be remotely monitored via a smartphone app. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV ( Chinese: MiniEV) is a battery electric city car manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling since 2020. window.dm = window.dm ||{ AjaxData:[]}; 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. 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. [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). Yamamoto discovered that the parts were largely off-the-shelf and consumer-grade, rather than automotive grade. Look out Tesla, SAIC's $4,500 electric car takes China by storm. Inside, the Macaron gets exterior color-matching inserts for the door pulls and highlights around what pass for controls. So an incredibly cheap, bare-bones city car makes a lot of sense. The electric motor that comes in this Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV is 20 kW. The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV car measures a diminutive 2920mm yet four adults can fit in without too much contortion. It wouldn't be cheap, but the Master's reputation for being loud when fitted with a diesel might tip a few buyers over the line. 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. China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data has revealed that the Hong Guang Mini EV . With no fast-charging capacity, the Mini EV is essentially a city car. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is the result of a three-way joint venture. "A range . SAIC Motor is the largest partner, with 50.1 percent ownership. [12][13] The popularity has been compared to that of kei cars in Japan. The colors are Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow and White Peach Pink, which are the results of the collaboration of Wuling and Pantone Universe. However, with only a slow charger interface, refilling the latter takes nine hours. Marcus is a car enthusiast who loves writing about them. 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. Tesla Giga Mexico To Be Two Times Bigger Than Giga Texas? Aluminum Alloy is also offered in this EV. Wuling is a Chinese car firm youre probably not too familiar with. The Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV was crash tested against another EV - an ultra-cheap neighborhood electric vehicle (with lead-acid batteries) that's hilariously trying to resemble the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. 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. VW is so far resisting calls to bring the Golf-sized ID.3 here to Australia, citing Government policy as a blocker. This one is a proper long shot, but we stand by it, no matter what you say even if it is entirely reasonable. 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). 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. 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. The Wuling MINI EV from GM costs between $4,000 and $6,000. Recently we came across a crash test conducted earlier this year in China, which might give us glimpses of what to expect. Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. The latest on tech, science, and more: Get our newsletters! The ForTwo is about 19,000 in the UK which could translate to a low to mid-$30k price tag. Renault had a go with the Kangoo Z.E. Or the same as a specced-up V8 Ram. dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); Under Euro NCAP regulations, for example, electronic stability control (ESC) is mandatory, but the Mini EV lacks that feature. j.src = 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. Bizarrely, it's the EV we're most asked about after Tesla, despite its much lower profile. The Gameboy Edition: A version introduced in March 2022. } ); The colors areAvocado Green, Lemon Yellow, and White Peach Pink, which are the results of the collaboration of Wuling and Pantone Universe. But is it safe? 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. It is a three-door electric microcar that . It was first manufactured and delivered sometime in July 2020. 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. Part of the reason for this is the simplicity of the design. The ground clearance offered is 125 mm. The same is not said for the steering, which is quite sloppy. A single electric motor sends 13kW to the rear wheels, and voltage is drawn from a 9.2kWh lithium-polymer battery, permitting a claimed range of 120km. f.parentNode.insertBefore( j, f ); 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. (function() { when sales dipped for the first time since the 1990s, 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. While there is a hatch at the back, there is no real trunk to speak of. 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 . Could General Motors at least apply lessons learned from producing this super-cheap EV to other markets? In December, GM announced that Mahmoud Samara, a VP for Cadillac North America, had been made president of GM Europe. 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. It is 2,917 millimeters long, 1,493 millimeters wide and 1,621 [] The Mustang nameplate has been a giant success for Ford locally, and once buyers got over the high-riding SUV vibe of the Mach-E, I reckon we won't be able to get enough of them. The poor profit margin hasnt stopped Wuling and its sibling brand Baojun from creating more cars in the same vein. 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 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. [24], The Mini EV listed as the world's top selling plug-in car in January 2021. The Battery Capacity, which is one of the most important parts of an Electric Vehicle, is 9.3 kWh or 13.9 kWh. [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. 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. They're both short on driving range and in the ForTwo's case, size, but these are resolutely urban vehicles. 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. But as a cheap introduction to electric family motoring, the car is infinitely safer and better than a scooter or motorbike. That said, stuffing adults into those rear seats is not exactly comfortable. 25,778 MINI EV's were purchased in China in January alone, compared to . The EVs Australia needs. w[ l ].push( { Thanks to the folding fabric roof and rollover hoops, the cabrio version is strictly a two-seater, though. Potential buyers will need to enter a lottery in order to buy one., Wuling says production could expand if theres enough demand.. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is a battery electric vehicle (BEV). 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. [4] Retail deliveries began in China in July 2020. Bit of a slam dunk this one. It was developed by General Motors, Wuling Motors and state-sponsored SAIC Motor. Similar to the Rivian, the Ford F-150 Lightning would surely go off here too. The Mini GameBoy Edition is outfitted in four different variations: Hurricane Phantom, Jungle Traveler, Star Rover, and Party Sweetheart. Second, the is offset to the center. margin-top: -19px; Can seat four. } ()); 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. In this configuration, the EV offers up 741 liters of space. 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. 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. 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. It was founded in 2007 as a joint venture between Wuling Group and Dragon Hill Holdings in Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. We believe that most of the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EVs are driving on the streets and there is always a risk that such a crash might happen. The Hong Guang MINI EV has a practical "small on the outside, big on the inside" design. The Mini EV is a step up from this levelcloser to a Japanese kei micro car. According to Tu Le, founder and managing director of Sino Auto Insights, there are two possibilities. Theres a choice of a 9.3kWh or 13.8kWh battery pack. Australia's list of on-sale electric vehicles is growing at a glacial pace. The Mini EV is therefore likely to have issues more frequently, but it will also be cheaper to repair. Yes, the Citroen Ami is a quadricycle like the pilloried and terrifying Gee Whiz, but it's made by a proper car company Stellantis. A dual waistline along with obvious arches for the 12 inches wheels accent very boxy looks. j.async = true; 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. Aesthetically, the production vehicle is unlikely to change dramatically from its concept form. Given the rudimentary nature of the cabin, its no surprise that materials are utilitarian. Now the Hong Guang Mini. 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.. 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. 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). The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is the result of a three-way joint venture. s.type = 'text/javascript'; In his spare time Derek loves chasing automotive rabbits down the hole. it has halogen headlamps and halogen bulbs in indicators and rear lights. There is no actual trunk even though there is a hatch at the back. 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. There is no crash test data for the charming car, but GM says that 57 per cent of the cars body consists of high-strength steel. Release date - 2020. Despite its compact dimensions the Hongguang Mini EV has four seats. The Hong Guang Mini EV's convenience and low price have made it . 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. The lack of proper headrests for adults makes any long journey a challenge. A few-times heavier standard car would potentially destroy the Wuling in a similar way as the neighborhood EV was destroyed. 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. Wuling had always produced microvans aimed at rural farmers and commercial buyers, so producing the Mini EV was a surprising move. China is the worlds largest car market and it has some tricks up its sleeve to entice people to go electric.