Cut-price electric hatch from Chinese-maker GAC costs only around half the price of the BYD Dolphin – and could be in Australia this year.
Electric Cars
The GAC Aion UT electric hatch has been launched as the new electric car price-leading hero, starting at a mere ¥69,800 ($AU15,196) before on-road costs in China.
That’s almost half the price of Australia’s cheapest electric car – the BYD Dolphin at $29,990 before on-road costs – and less than the cheapest of all cars sold in Australia, the $18,390 (plus on-road costs) Kia Picanto.
The Aion UT is a global model which will play an important role for Chinese automotive giant GAC – which stands for Guangzhou Automobile Group – as it launches the Aion brand in Australia.
It will be the second Aion model sold here, with the GAC Aion V electric SUV expected to hit local showrooms mid-year with the Aion UT due before the end of 2025.
The Aion UT range is priced from ¥69,800 to ¥101,800 ($AU15,196 to $AU22,172), compared to the Dolphin – with revised styling and updates including BYD’s ‘God’s Eye’ driver assistance tech priced at ¥99,800 – ¥125,800 ($AU21,737 to $AU27,400).
That suggests the Aion UT’s starting price may be as low as $AU24,368 when it arrives in Australia given the Dolphin’s $29,990 list price.
Revealed in November 2024, the GAC Aion UT is a city-sized five-door hatch measuring 4270mm long, 1850mm wide and 1575mm high – about the same size as the Dolphin, GWM Ora and the MG 4 electric hatch sold in Australia.
With proportions aping the Dolphin – and with a Mini Cooper-like white floating roof option on top of six exterior colour choices – the outside of the cheapest Aion UT has LED headlights, 16-inch wheels, a swooping roofline and flush door handles.
Power comes from a 100kW ‘Quark’ electric motor with a choice of LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery packs from 34.8kWh providing a claimed 330km in the entry-level version, with a 44kWh pack giving the flagship model a 420km driving range rating.
A 24-minute fast-charge provides 30-80 percent battery replenishment.
Inside, a standard panoramic sunroof is standard, with two-spoke multi-function steering wheel and 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster with cloud-based AI (Artificial Intelligence) voice commands.
A large centre screen measures 14.6-inch and includes Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity, the system including built-in Wi-Fi supported by over-the-air updates.
Curiously, unlike the Volkswagen ID. EVERY1 concept car – revealed ahead of the release of a showroom version in 2027 – the Aion UT cabin does not have physical buttons for air-conditioning and audio volume.
The Aion UT also has a Level 2 driver-assistance capability – meaning its tech can control steering, acceleration and braking – with mandatory systems for it to be sold in Australia including autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
Cabin practicality includes seats able to fold flat – including the front driver and passenger seats – expanding the 440L boot space to 1600L with only the back seats folded flat.
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