Potential buyers will need to enter a lottery in order to buy one., Wuling says production could expand if theres enough demand.. Demand for this tiny BEV . j.src = 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. We're here to help you find the right slate for your needs. Yes, the Citroen Ami is a quadricycle like the pilloried and terrifying Gee Whiz, but it's made by a proper car company Stellantis. Macaron is written on the drivers side rear pillar black insert, and the car features color-coordinated white wheels and roof. The driver would have a chance to survive with some leg and head injury. There is no actual trunk even though there is a hatch at the back. Priced this low, there is not much insulating the car from road noise. 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. Lets take a closer look at the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, RELATED: The Tata Avinya Concept Puts India On The Global EV Map. }; The steering is imprecise and when cornering at over 30mph you feel as if youre fighting the cars inertia. The latest on tech, science, and more: Get our newsletters! [8] Based on the NEDC driving cycle, the estimated energy consumption of the Mini EV is 8,1 kWh/100km. Get weekly updates with the latest car news and reviews. 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. } )( window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-WT4MKNJ' ); [CDATA[ */ You must appreciate that for many buyers, this will be their first car or their only option, and its infinitely safer than piling a family onto a motorbike or electric scooter. 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). 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. } ()); After all, the automobile is just 2,921 millimeters long, or less than 3 meters. 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. 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. Based in New York, New York, Derek loves to travel and is very much a window not an aisle person. The three variants of the brand's first four-seat new energy vehicle are priced between RMB 28,800 and RMB 38,800. So an incredibly cheap, bare-bones city car makes a lot of sense. Ad Choices. Check out this review from the Wheelsboy YouTube channel: Despite its cheap price, it also comes with a suite of handy features like radar for reversing, antilock brakes and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Hong Guang MINI EV has a top speed of about 100 km/h, seats four and looks like a Japanese kei car. Let us know if you think we could be doing something better. Recently we came across a crash test conducted earlier this year in China, which might give us glimpses of what to expect. Bizarrely, it's the EV we're most asked about after Tesla, despite its much lower profile. (function() { 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). Part of the reason for this is the simplicity of the design. Standard features in China reportedly include air conditioning, rear parking sensors, anti-lock brakes, and a stereo system. 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. Produced as part of a joint venture between SAIC the company behind the revived MG and GM, the Cabrio has been designed to appeal the brands hardcore fans, many of whom have been customizing their cars and were asking for a convertible version. if(typeof window.DotMetricsObj != 'undefined') {DotMetricsObj.onAjaxDataUpdate();} img#wpstats{display:none} window.dm.AjaxEvent = function(et, d, ssid, ad){ Dartz's decision to redesign the car's body highlights one of the obvious problems with selling the Chinese car in Western markets: safety. Whether youre skiing in the backcountry or trampolining in the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you. [20] Its exterior has been completely restyled with larger dimension, while the power remains to be unchanged and carried over from the standard Mini EV producing 27hp (20kW; 27PS) and 85Nm (63lbft) or 40hp (30kW; 41PS) and 110Nm (81lbft), mated to a 9.2, 13.9, or 25.5 kWh battery. Luckily as youre unlikely to ever get the Mini EV much above 50 mph this never becomes too much of a problem. The lack of proper headrests for adults makes any long journey a challenge. The production Mini EV Cabrio looks less premium than the concept. The Macaron is sold as a more premium and personalized variant that features redesigned darkened LED headlights, two-tone alloy wheels and exclusive body colors. Or the same as a specced-up V8 Ram. [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). WIREDs is in avocado green, but the model is also available in lemon yellow and white peach pink. Australia's list of on-sale electric vehicles is growing at a glacial pace. 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). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Range is claimed to be between 120km on the base battery, and 280km on top-spec versions. Take a bite of these third-party apps instead. This is enough to accommodate two 26-inch suitcases or a stroller. 2023 CarExpert Pty Ltd - ABN 71 636 729 836, Don't get ripped off, find out what others have paid, This week in news: 27 February to 3 March. 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*. The Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV is creating an awesome new market and as expected, other firms are following with similar models. 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). Welcome to part one of three price-based EV buying guides, this one focused on the most affordable electric cars available in Australia today. Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow, and White Peach Pink are the colors created by Wuling in partnership with Pantone Universe. Perhaps the local arm should consider Ford's idea of a much larger unit, the Master Z.E.? The batterys functions can be remotely monitored via a smartphone app. [19], The Mini EV GameBoy Edition was introduced in March 2022. One of China's biggest automotive companiesin 2021 it. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and All the Settings You Should Change on Your New Samsung Phone, Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs, What to Do When Netflix Wont Let You Share Your Password, The 12 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride, The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid). VW is so far resisting calls to bring the Golf-sized ID.3 here to Australia, citing Government policy as a blocker. It is a three-door electric microcar that . 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. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. 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%. This one is a proper long shot, but we stand by it, no matter what you say even if it is entirely reasonable. The ForTwo is about 19,000 in the UK which could translate to a low to mid-$30k price tag. On the plus side, given the sub-two-meter wheelbase, the turning circle is incredibly tight. Similar to the Rivian, the Ford F-150 Lightning would surely go off here too. 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. [16], SAIC-GM-Wuling launched a variant of the regular Mini EV called the Mini EV Macaron in April 2021. 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. Luxury is relative, especially when you are dealing with a car as bare-bones as the original Mini EV. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { It also features 12 storage spaces. The Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone. Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. Tesla Giga Mexico To Be Two Times Bigger Than Giga Texas? Posted on April 19, 2021. Theres no Park setting, though: the handbrake is the only way to hold the Mini EV. 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. We take a look at the cars that could kickstart an EV love affair. Limited to using a standard 220V AC outlet, charging is naturally slow, with the base battery pack taking six hours to fully recharge. In September, only its 4 th month on the market, the Hong Guang Mini EV racked up sales in excess of 20,000, propelling it to the top of China's electric vehicle market," Kang said. [4] Retail deliveries began in China in July 2020. Given all of its other flaws, that's probably not a terrible thing. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is China's best-selling electric vehicle. He travels frequently and always seeks out the best driving roads to really test a car's limits. With seven seats (that'll be popular, don't you think?) 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. Standard safety features of the Mini EV include anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring sensors, and rear parking sensors. 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. w[ l ] = w[ l ] || []; China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data has revealed that the Hong Guang Mini EV . margin-top: -19px; } )( window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-WT4MKNJ' ); However, with only a slow charger interface, refilling the latter takes nine hours. Once in the drivers seat, you immediately notice two issues. 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. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is China's best-selling electric vehicle, outselling Tesla and all others. DAP Pricing Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs. 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. If you need a bit more capacity, the back seats simply push down and pull up via a strap. Fees, charges, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; 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 . You dont get airbags, and the passenger doesnt even get a seatbelt reminder. h = d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0], Powering the rear wheels is an electric motor delivering 27 hp of power and 85 Nm of torque. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. In this story we're looking at EVs that exist today that we miss out on. China is the worlds largest car market and it has some tricks up its sleeve to entice people to go electric. 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. Unfortunately, Wheelsboy says youll never forget how cheap it is. The Wuling Mini EV features an electric motor providing 27 hp and 62.7 lb-ft of torque that powers the rear wheels and comes with either a 9.2 kWh battery or a bigger 13.8 kWh battery with a range of 110 miles, according to the NEDC. Marketed as 'commuting tool,' Hong Guang Mini outsells the Model 3. s.src = 'https://au-script.dotmetrics.net/door.js?d=' + document.location.host + '&t=other'; h.appendChild(s); Little safety equipment. 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. s = d.createElement('script'); Of course there are more out there and many of them will come from China. And with such small wheels, you feel every pothole, all the more so given the poorly padded seats. 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. That said, stuffing adults into those rear seats is not exactly comfortable. 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. Being a compact van, it's not too big so would be good for the urban cut and thrust. The same cannot be said for the steering, which is generally imprecise. With no fast-charging capacity, the Mini EV is essentially a city car. Now you can get the top stories from Gizmodo delivered to your inbox. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our livesfrom culture to business, science to design. But the Mini EVs diminutive size also makes darting in and out of traffic quite satisfying. It is legal to drive on public roads, despite its wheels being just 12 inches in diameter and having a peak speed of only 62 miles per hour. The interior is utilitarian at best and its plastics have the tactility of an emery board. [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. 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. So such a car, even devoid of bells or whistles, could make electric motoring affordable for a much broader market. 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. It also weighs a . Powering the rear wheels is an electric motor delivering 20 kW (27 hp) and 85 Nm of torque. 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.. window.dm = window.dm ||{ AjaxData:[]}; all we can say is this EV has every right to be on the top of the affordable EVs list. s.async = true; It's highly likely theCabrio will share the fixed-roof model's same powertrain. 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. According toAutohome, the micro electric two-door is slated to hit showrooms in 2022 and (at least initially) will be sold exclusively in China. This is paired to either a 9.2kWh, 13.9kWh, or 25.5kWh battery. However, as a low-cost start to electric family transportation, the automobile is far superior to a scooter or motorbike. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. Required fields are marked *. Thanks to the folding fabric roof and rollover hoops, the cabrio version is strictly a two-seater, though. 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. TOKYO -- At 28,800 yuan ($4,500), the Hongguang Mini EV has become a big seller in certain Chinese cities and villages. A joint venture between GM and Chinese businesses Wuling and SAIC saw the introduction of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV in July 2020. RELATED: This Heritage Series Grandeur EV Celebrates Hyundai's 1986 Flagship Sedan. 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. 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 Macaron is a customized model with three unique paint colors and additional standard features. '&l=' + l : ''; w[ l ].push( { The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. 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. Wuling's Mini EV, made in partnership with General Motors, outsells Teslas Model 3 in China and costs less than adding CarPlay to a Ferrari. Among the Macaron's many improvements over the basic Mini EV is a key safety featurethe driver now gets an airbag standard. A shame, but if it could land at a mid-$30k price point, French car fans are just mad enough to do it. Gear can make or break your home office setup. It was developed by General Motors, Wuling Motors and state-sponsored SAIC Motor. 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. 'gtm.start': However, there are currently no plans to sell the vehicle in Australia. Leading to the assumption . 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. 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). Or it could take a very different route. Under the extreme cold and high temperatures of -25 to 45 C, the vehicle has completed 28 tests over 300,000 kilometers. 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. [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. Click for Comparison rate warning and T&Cs. A few videos of the convertible circulated around since then, but not much else besides the statement from Wuling. The neighborhood EV was completely destroyed, not giving the occupant's a chance to survive (at least the front row). Derek Fung would love to tell you about his multiple degrees, but he's too busy writing up some news right now. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is China's best-selling electric vehicle, outselling Tesla and all others. "A range . 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. 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. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The controls for the electric windows are located on the center console, next to the drive selector knob. And, like any good motoring journalist, we will insist that not only must the VW Up! Above 30 mph, you end up fighting the cars desire to go in a straight line. It was first manufactured and delivered sometime in July 2020. The Hong Guang Mini EV saw sales of 112,000 for the second half of 2020, ranking second behind Tesla's Model 3 which are made in its Shanghai factory. The EV has a lot more room in this arrangement. Sitting at a desk for hours? Wuling is coy regarding acceleration figures, but since the vehicle is electric and has instantaneous torque, it isnt unduly slow in town traffic. Information regarding this small but impressive electric car that is a part . Wayward steering.) 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. Surprisingly, the EV includes a concealed toggle button behind the steering wheel that allows drivers to choose between Eco and Sport modes. It would be easy to compare the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV unfairly with pricier and better-equipped cars. body #page { 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). j.src = [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 e-Crafter van would be a good idea too if it wasn't left-hook only. [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. The four-seat Hong Guang Mini, which has top speeds of 62 mph and an estimated cruising range of 120 miles, is being made as a joint venture between SAIC Motor, Liuzhou Wuling Motors, and. 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. Enter your email below. 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. William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. They're both short on driving range and in the ForTwo's case, size, but these are resolutely urban vehicles. The area might hold something extremely tiny; however, the car contains charging cords on the bottom. While there is a hatch at the back, there is no real trunk to speak of. The Mini EV has appealed to younger buyers in China, and he feels GM could target a similar demographic in the US, or in an emerging market, where a small city car would appeal. 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. In . s.async = true; China has had a thriving industry in low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs), which in four-wheel form are more akin to golf carts. The ForFour is somehow slightly cheaper, so would cost about the same. 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. 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. 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 . The wheels look nearly identical, though, and so does the A-pillar and most everything above the door. The Mini EV Cabrio is getting the same 26 horsepower electric motor as the coup, but its price and range is still unknown.