The new GAC Aion UT electric car is surprisingly cheap: from $9,600 in China

Chinese manufacturer GAC has surprised the market by releasing the Aion UT, an electric car with a price below the cost of some used cars. The base version costs just ¥69,800 ($9,600), while the top-of-the-line version costs ¥101,800 (~$14,000).

Here's What We Know

The Aion UT is available with either 34.8 kWh or 44 kWh batteries. The maximum claimed range is 330 kilometres in the base version and 420 kilometres in the top-end version. Although the Chinese test cycle tends to show overly optimistic results, GAC claims an energy consumption of 11.4 kWh per 100 kilometres.

Charging from 30 per cent to 80 per cent takes just 24 minutes. The power output of the electric motor is 134bhp, making the Aion UT quite frisky for its class.

The car is available in bright colours with a contrasting white roof. The front optics include round LED headlamps and additional running lights on the bumper. The base model gets 16-inch wheels, while the older trims get 17-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin is unexpectedly well-equipped for this price segment: 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, 14.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system, voice assistant, support for over-the-air updates. UT can even have a panoramic roof and L2-level driving assistance systems.

GAC Aion UT can become a serious competitor in the budget segment of electric cars, which is already dominated by BYD and MG. And if prices remain as low, this compact EV has every chance of being a hit.

Source: Carscoops