The SAIC-GM joint venture is preparing to launch an updated version of the urban electric hatchback Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, which managed to become a the most popular electric car in China. Restyling brought Wuling Hongguang Mini EV a more rounded appearance and improved interior materials.
Wuling Hongguang Mini EV debuted in 2020 and became a trendsetter in the genre of cheap city electric vehicles in the Chinese market. There have been similar types of “electric trains” in China before, but Wuling managed to offer the perfect balance of consumer qualities: very compact dimensions and at the same time a practical four-seater interior, stylish appearance, cheerful colors and a very affordable price. The basic version of the pre-restyling Wuling Hongguang Mini EV still costs only 32,800 yuan in China (412 thousand rubles translated at the current exchange rate), it is equipped with a 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor mounted on the rear axle and a 9. 3 kWh, a full charge of which is enough for 120 km of travel according to the Chinese CLTC cycle. Maximum speed is 100 km/h.
1/4 
2/4 
3/4 
4/4
Over time, the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV has become more powerful and expensive – there is even a convertible with a folding fabric roof. At the end of 2022, Wuling Hongguang Mini EV became the best-selling electric car in China (more than 400,000 units were sold), but competitors quickly jumped in and released a lot of analogues of the SAIC-GM hit, including the very nice Geely Panda Mini and Chery QQ. In addition, SAIC-GM itself has created several alternatives to the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (for example, Wuling Air EV), which has diluted its audience. The result is logical: in January-September of this year, sales of Wuling Hongguang Mini EV in China, according to CAAM, amounted to 169,526 units, which is 49.5% compared to last year.
Meanwhile, in its segment, the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV still remains the leader, and in order to maintain this leadership, SAIC-GM updated its design, made it more attractive, in the spirit of the aforementioned Geely Panda Mini and Chery QQ: the headlights, lanterns and bumpers were rounded, the sides have become visually smoother, the color palette has been supplemented with new fruity shades. The overall length of the restyled hatchback is 3064 mm, width – 1493 mm, height – 1629 mm, wheelbase – 2010 mm.
1/5 
2/5 
3/5 
4/5 
5/5
The interior has a new front panel with rounded edges and a new 8-inch multimedia touch screen, and the instrument panel graphics have also been updated. The finishing materials have become more pleasant and cozy in appearance, there are more places for small things, and the seats have become more comfortable and elegant, but there are still no normal headrests in the second row. The backrests of the rear sofa fold in a 50/50 ratio; if they are both folded, the trunk volume reaches 734 liters.
The manufacturer has not yet published the technical characteristics of the updated Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, but the new product surfaced in the electronic database of the Chinese Ministry of Industry back in July, where only a 30-kilowatt (41 hp) electric motor was declared for it, it is likely There will be prestigious Macaron trim levels, like the cars in the photographs, and the basic versions will probably retain a 20 kW electric motor. The rear suspension of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is still dependent, with a stabilizing Panhard rod.
The updated Wuling Hongguang Mini EV will most likely be completely declassified and go on sale before the end of this year. If prices rise, it will be only slightly.
Recent Comments