After all, the automobile is just 2,921 millimeters long, or less than 3 meters. MORE: Everything micro carsMORE: Everything ChinaMORE: Everything 2021Shanghai motor show. Uncomfortable. 25,778 MINI EV's were purchased in China in January alone, compared to . So equipped, Wuling says its Mini EV will travel 75 miles on a single charge and reach a top speed of 62 mph. 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. 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. That's 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. [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. 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. 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. Little safety equipment. 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. Copyright Drive.com.au 2023ABN: 84 116 608 158. However, as a low-cost start to electric family transportation, the automobile is far superior to a scooter or motorbike. State-backed SAIC-GM-Wuling, a company partly owned by GM,. Surprisingly, the EV includes a concealed toggle button behind the steering wheel that allows drivers to choose between Eco and Sport modes. Under Euro NCAP regulations, for example, electronic stability control (ESC) is mandatory, but the Mini EV lacks that feature. We already know the e-2008 compact SUV is on its way but the French car's importer remains cagey on the e-208. Here you can see more details about the technical specification of the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. }. } ); Luxury is relative, especially when you are dealing with a car as bare-bones as the original Mini EV. The back seats are equipped with two ISOFIX child safety seat restraint interfaces to cater to young families. 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. There are also two USB type A ports that allow you to play music or charge a device. 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. 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. So successful is Wulings Mini EV that not only are Chinese producers rapidly coming up with copycat cars, Wuling itself is busy making different versions of the vehicle, including a forthcoming cabriolet and a long-range version. With sales commencing as early as September 2020. But you will know the others involved in the joint venture that builds the Mini EV: General Motors has a 44% share andMG parent firm SAIC 50.1%, with Wuling the remaining 5.9%. In this story we're looking at EVs that exist today that we miss out on. } ); Marketed as 'commuting tool,' Hong Guang Mini outsells the Model 3. 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. [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. It also weighs a . Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars. 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. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and /* */ 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. But the two-tone paint is still kind of here! /* */ Part of the reason for this is the simplicity of the design. 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. Change These Settings on Your New Samsung Phone. Lets take a closer look at the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, RELATED: The Tata Avinya Concept Puts India On The Global EV Map. In comparison to the previous standard trim level, the Macaron gets extra safety features, including a low-speed pedestrian alert, a reversing camera with rear parking sonar, and a driver-side airbag. A dual waistline along with obvious arches for the 12 inches wheels accent very boxy looks. It can be charged using a normal 220-240V outlet. This screenoffers basic information such as speed, range, and electricity consumption, along with a natty 3D rendering of the Mini EV. The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV car body is a Hatchback. The three variants of the brand's first four-seat new energy vehicle are priced between RMB 28,800 and RMB 38,800. Privacy Policy. A battery-powered motor lets you enjoy most of the benefits of biking, minus the sweat. However, cramming folks into those back seats isn't exactly pleasant. It has received an advanced IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating and been put through 16 rigorous safety tests. Given all of its other flaws, that's probably not a terrible thing. j.src = Enter your email below. 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. This change is because the new version will have a . EV Auto Explorer is India's leading Electric Vehicles news website. 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. These are very limited, with three dials for climate control and a very small LCD screen for the radio. SHUHEI YAMADA, Nikkei Asia Tech chief editor December 20, 2021 11:23 JST. a claimed 500 kilometre driving range (optimistic EPA number) and a ton of features, Rivian would struggle to meet demand, as it is already in its home market. It was founded in 2007 as a joint venture between Wuling Group and Dragon Hill Holdings in Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. window.dm = window.dm ||{ AjaxData:[]}; General Motors (GM) has released new, colorful versions of China's best-selling electric car, the tiny Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that the Mini EV can seat four. Theres a choice of a 9.3kWh or 13.8kWh battery pack. Let us know if you think we could be doing something better. The e-Crafter van would be a good idea too if it wasn't left-hook only. 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. Now the Hong Guang Mini. Whether youre skiing in the backcountry or trampolining in the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you. 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. window.dm.AjaxEvent = function(et, d, ssid, ad){ Although not as uncomfortable as first expected, the offset pedal position gets tiring after an hour. Yes, I wish to receive exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions from our partners. 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. 'gtm.start': Thats actually not too bad for the price of four Changlis. 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 space might be able to fit something very thin, but the bottom is taken up with charging cables. The Smart is, however, a considerable 170mm wider. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is the result of a three-way joint venture. The electric motor that comes in this Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV is 20 kW. The wheels look nearly identical, though, and so does the A-pillar and most everything above the door. It's highly likely theCabrio will share the fixed-roof model's same powertrain. 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. Sport mode appears to be the superior option, offering significantly faster acceleration and more obvious brake regeneration. With our Prime Minister embarrassing himself at COP26 by walking down the steps from his plane waving a piece of paper guaranteeing net-zero by relying on technology that is either discredited (carbon capture and storage) or non-existent (TBA), it's up to the states to make electric vehicles appealing. It would cost more to spec the cigar humidor glove box option on a Rolls-Royce or add Apple CarPlay to a Ferrari than to buy the Mini EV outright. dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow, and White Peach Pink are the colors created by Wuling in partnership with Pantone Universe. s.type = 'text/javascript'; The bestselling Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) in China, the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV has found its way to Thailand. Or the same as a specced-up V8 Ram. 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. 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. Wuling is tight-lipped about acceleration statistics, but the car isn't particularly sluggish because it's electric and has immediate torque. It was developed by General Motors, Wuling Motors and state-sponsored SAIC Motor. 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. Privacy Policy. 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. Luckily as youre unlikely to ever get the Mini EV much above 50 mph this never becomes too much of a problem. The production version vehicle body design is based on Mini EV GameBoy Edition and was launched in September 2022. It loses the LED side strip, but gets a side marker in return. The hardtop model starts at 28,000, or about A$6,177, and has a range of 169 km. 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. One must resist the car's urge to travel in a straight line over 30 mph. The 27 Best Mac Apps That Will Make Your Life Easier. . This is a low-cost entry, low-cost ownership electric car after all, so the small design touches the production model lost arent a big deal. 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. The enchanting little thing looks like loads of fun! [CDATA[ */ 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. Now, hear us out on this one. 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 Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is China's best-selling electric vehicle, outselling Tesla and all others. Apples tablet lineup is more confusing than ever. But Ford has more. 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 . } )( window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-WT4MKNJ' ); And who doesn't want to see F-Series based ambulances again? 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. You can whine all you like about the size, but large American trucks are selling here even after expensive right-hand drive conversions. Despite its ultra-compact dimensions, it somehow boasts 741 liters of storage space (with the rear seats folded) and 12 storage compartments. Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. [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. 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.. 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. 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 . 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). } )( window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-WT4MKNJ' ); With fossil fuel prices soaring, its hardly surprising that most markets are crying out for cheaper EVs. 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. On the plus side, given the sub-two-meter wheelbase, the turning circle is incredibly tight. It's time for car companies to step up and offer us some product that we all know would fly off the forecourts. The boot is almost non-existent when the seats are up: at best, you might be able to fit in one very thin painting. s = d.createElement('script'); 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. We take a look at the cars that could kickstart an EV love affair. TOKYO -- At 28,800 yuan ($4,500), the Hongguang Mini EV has become a big seller in certain Chinese cities and villages. More car parks, EV charging stations and battery-swapping facilities will be built, and battery recycling systems developed at a faster pace, Li said. Car sales in China saw astounding growth until 2018, when sales dipped for the first time since the 1990s. 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. 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. w[ l ].push( { s.type = 'text/javascript'; h = d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0], But GM and SAIC have been working together for 24 years. [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. 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. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our livesfrom culture to business, science to design. The Mini EV is a step up from this levelcloser to a Japanese kei micro car. At the very first look, the car also looks small than usual cars. The Wuling MINI EV from GM costs between $4,000 and $6,000. Adding to the safety, more than 57% of the Hong Guang MINI EVs body consists of high-strength steel. 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 compact zero-emission hatchback reportedly weighs just 665kg. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. His favorite cars are anything with a manual transmission, and he's been known to spend hours just shifting through all the gears. 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). 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. [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. Tesla Giga Mexico To Be Two Times Bigger Than Giga Texas? 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. 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. 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. Stepping up into the niche is the smallest mass-market EV, and one of the best selling EVs of all time: the Wuling Hongguang Mini. margin-top: -19px; He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy.
