At the end of last year, professor Masayoshi Yamamoto at Nagoya University took apart a car shipped to Japan to see how it was possible to produce the vehicle so cheaply. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. w[ l ].push( { Its curb weight is around 665 kg. 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. WIREDs is in avocado green, but the model is also available in lemon yellow and white peach pink. 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. Car sales in China saw astounding growth until 2018, when sales dipped for the first time since the 1990s. China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data has revealed that the Hong Guang Mini EV . A few-times heavier standard car would potentially destroy the Wuling in a similar way as the neighborhood EV was destroyed. '&l=' + l : ''; 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*. 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. A dual waistline along with obvious arches for the 12 inches wheels accent very boxy looks. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers expects sales to rise for the first time in three years, as it projects 27.2 million units to be sold in the country. 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. It was developed by General Motors, Wuling Motors and state-sponsored SAIC Motor. [4] Retail deliveries began in China in July 2020. VW is so far resisting calls to bring the Golf-sized ID.3 here to Australia, citing Government policy as a blocker. Powering the rear wheels is an electric motor delivering 27 hp of power and 85 Nm of torque. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is the result of a three-way joint venture. Release date - 2020. The three variants of the brand's first four-seat new energy vehicle are priced between RMB 28,800 and RMB 38,800. Mind you, access to the back is predictably quite tight from both sides, and once youve squeezed yourself in there, legroom is minimal. According toAutohome, the micro electric two-door is slated to hit showrooms in 2022 and (at least initially) will be sold exclusively in China. Thanks to the folding fabric roof and rollover hoops, the cabrio version is strictly a two-seater, though. * MINI Finance, Australian Credit Licence 392387. In this story we're looking at EVs that exist today that we miss out on. [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. We're here to help you find the right slate for your needs. 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. 'gtm.start': 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? 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. 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). Being a compact van, it's not too big so would be good for the urban cut and thrust. Under Euro NCAP regulations, for example, electronic stability control (ESC) is mandatory, but the Mini EV lacks that feature. 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. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { With no fast-charging capacity, the Mini EV is essentially a city car. MORE: Everything micro carsMORE: Everything ChinaMORE: Everything 2021Shanghai motor show. 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. microcar return to our shores, but it should be in e-Up! The batterys functions can be remotely monitored via a smartphone app. s.src = 'https://au-script.dotmetrics.net/door.js?d=' + document.location.host + '&t=other'; h.appendChild(s); img#wpstats{display:none} Onboard is a 9.3 kWh or 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack good for 75 or 169 km, respectively. 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. Given the rudimentary nature of the cabin, its no surprise that materials are utilitarian. The good thing is these firms are not messing around with these . The Wuling MINI EV from GM costs between $4,000 and $6,000. More car parks, EV charging stations and battery-swapping facilities will be built, and battery recycling systems developed at a faster pace, Li said. Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. 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. margin-top: -19px; The Cabrio is set to go into production in China in 2022, with a rebadged variant called the Freze Nikrob Cabrio being available in Europe. After all, the automobile is just 2,921 millimeters long, or less than 3 meters. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. [25], "Popular Wuling EVs to hit global markets in 2022", "SGMW to unveil Wuling brand's first two-seater NEV model 'NanoEV', "The tiny Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV costs just P200,000", "Tiny Wuling Hongguang Mini EV Has Locked In 50,000 Orders", "China: Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV Sets Massive Sales Record", "This Adorable Four Seat Electric Hatchback is Selling Like Crazy in China", "Check Out This Must-See Review Of The Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV", "Wuling Mini EV gets a long-range version of 280 km range", "GM scores a bestseller in China with $4,200 electric micro car", "Dongfeng Fengguang MINI EV official images released", "Worry For The Wuling MINI EV (or not): BAW S3 & S5 Mini EVs Unveiled", "New Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron Launches In China", "Wuling Launches Hong Guang MINIEV Cabrio in China", "Chinese/U.S. j.src = Fees, charges, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. f.parentNode.insertBefore( j, f ); Onboard is a 9.3 kWh or 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack good for 75 or 169 km, respectively. It was founded in 2007 in the city of Liuzhou, near the border with Vietnam. [8] Based on the NEDC driving cycle, the estimated energy consumption of the Mini EV is 8,1 kWh/100km. And the lack of rear headrests would make anything but short journeys tiring on the neck. The latest on tech, science, and more: Get our newsletters! A few videos of the convertible circulated around since then, but not much else besides the statement from Wuling. All rights reserved. You can whine all you like about the size, but large American trucks are selling here even after expensive right-hand drive conversions. Let us know if you think we could be doing something better. It's highly likely theCabrio will share the fixed-roof model's same powertrain. [CDATA[ */ This screenoffers basic information such as speed, range, and electricity consumption, along with a natty 3D rendering of the Mini EV. } )( window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-WT4MKNJ' ); Required fields are marked *. Apples tablet lineup is more confusing than ever. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is a battery electric vehicle (BEV). But is it safe? The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV ( Chinese: MiniEV) is a battery electric city car manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling since 2020. Or it could take a very different route. Standard features in China reportedly include air conditioning, rear parking sensors, anti-lock brakes, and a stereo system. The production version vehicle body design is based on Mini EV GameBoy Edition and was launched in September 2022. [24], The Mini EV listed as the world's top selling plug-in car in January 2021. The poor profit margin hasnt stopped Wuling and its sibling brand Baojun from creating more cars in the same vein. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; The Gameboy Edition: A version introduced in March 2022. This is paired to either a 9.2kWh, 13.9kWh, or 25.5kWh battery. 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. 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. 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. Yes, the Citroen Ami is a quadricycle like the pilloried and terrifying Gee Whiz, but it's made by a proper car company Stellantis. One-pedal driving isn't practical since the automobile takes too long to slow down, owing to its lightweight of 1,543 pounds. The boot is almost non-existent when the seats are up: at best, you might be able to fit in one very thin painting. William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. 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. Charging on a 220V supply takes 6.5 hours for the smaller battery and a full 9 hours for the 13.8 kWh pack. Take a bite of these third-party apps instead. s.src = 'https://au-script.dotmetrics.net/door.js?d=' + document.location.host + '&t=other'; h.appendChild(s); The vehicle comes with an intelligent battery management system which can monitor the battery status in real-time. [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 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. The Hong Guang MINI EV has a top speed of about 100 km/h, seats four and looks like a Japanese kei car. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is China's best-selling electric vehicle. Recently we came across a crash test conducted earlier this year in China, which might give us glimpses of what to expect. '&l=' + l : ''; It is 2,917 millimeters long, 1,493 millimeters wide and 1,621 [] A distinct whine from the electric motor accompanies you as you drive along. Luxury is relative, especially when you are dealing with a car as bare-bones as the original Mini EV. electric van, but we can't for the life of us remember if we've ever seen one in the wild. margin-top: -19px; It is a three-door electric microcar that, while not new in China, is the first to achieve widespread success. However, there are currently no plans to sell the vehicle in Australia. }; Uncomfortable. Based in New York, New York, Derek loves to travel and is very much a window not an aisle person. /* */ window.dm = window.dm ||{ AjaxData:[]}; Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats. Charging cables fill up the space at the bottom of the boot. Welcome to part one of three price-based EV buying guides, this one focused on the most affordable electric cars available in Australia today. Surprisingly, the EV includes a concealed toggle button behind the steering wheel that allows drivers to choose between Eco and Sport modes. According to Statista, the average person in China makes $US13,900 ($18,056) a year. 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. j = d.createElement( s ), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? [11] The car has attracted a cult following in China, with owners frequently modifying their vehicles. The Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV sells in China like hot cakes, as it fulfils the basic transportation needs at affordable price of 28,800-43,600 CNY ($4,521-$6,844). 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). Copyright Drive.com.au 2023ABN: 84 116 608 158. It was founded in 2007 as a joint venture between Wuling Group and Dragon Hill Holdings in Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. Powering the rear wheels is an electric motor delivering 20 kW (27 hp) and 85 Nm of torque. 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. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The fact that the Mini EV can seat four people is maybe the biggest surprise. 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. 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. . A convertible variant of the Hongguang Mini EV known as the Cabrioconcept was unveiled overnight at the Shanghai motor show. Enter your email below. . He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. Wuling is coy regarding acceleration figures, but since the vehicle is electric and has instantaneous torque, it isnt unduly slow in town traffic. The Battery Capacity, which is one of the most important parts of an Electric Vehicle, is 9.3 kWh or 13.9 kWh. Bizarrely, it's the EV we're most asked about after Tesla, despite its much lower profile. After all, the car is less than 3 meters long, 2,920 mm to be precise. 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. Safer than a scooter. The 27 Best Mac Apps That Will Make Your Life Easier. As EVs make their inroads, the little Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV is leading the way. No spare tire is given as well.
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