Launched in Thailand in November, the GAC Aion V is a look at what we can expect from local distributor Warisan Tan Chong Automotif (WTCA) in the coming year, following on from the recently-teased Hyptec HT. The electric SUV is available in the Land of Smiles in a single 602 Luxury trim, priced at 1,029,900 baht (RM134,700) – undercutting the 1,049,900 baht (RM137,300) BYD Atto 3 Extended Range.
Designed as the first global model from Aion, this new V is actually the second-generation version, replacing the sleek, futuristic original. It sports a far boxier and more rugged design, equipped with squarish headlights, chunky front and rear fender bulges, a kinked window line and vertical C-shaped taillights.
Inside, the Aion V sports all the hallmarks of Chinese electric vehicle interior design, with a two-spoke steering wheel, a simple horizontal dashboard design, a massive 14.6-inch “floating” infotainment touchscreen, a comparatively tiny 8.9-inch digital instrument display and a wide centre console with twin phone holders (one of which houses a Qi wireless charger).
Highlights include a one-touch lie-flat feature for the power-adjustable front seats (with heating, ventilation, massage and driver’s side memory), a folding rear tray behind the front passenger, a large panoramic glass roof, up to 137 degrees of rear seat backrest adjustment and a 6.6 litre fridge underneath the front arm rest.
Standard kit includes 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera system with a transparency function, nine speakers and a powered tailgate. The Aion V is also offered with six airbags and a full complement of driver assists. The latter include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning and a door opening warning.
Measuring 4,605 mm long, 1,876 mm wide and 1,686 mm tall, the Aion V is 150 mm longer, a scant one millimetre wider and 71 mm taller than the aforementioned Atto 3, while its 2,775 mm wheelbase is 55 mm longer. Open the hands-free powered tailgate and you’ll find a 427 litre boot (13 litres smaller than the BYD’s), expandable to 987 litres with the rear seats folded.
The Aion V is powered by a single front motor producing 204 PS (150 kW) and 240 Nm of torque, getting it from zero to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 160 km/h. A 75.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) GAC Magazine Battery provides an impressive range of 602 km on the NEDC cycle. Expect the figure to be closer to 500 km on the more realistic WLTP cycle, which is still not to be sniffed at.
Also impressive is support for 180 kW of DC fast charging power, topping up the battery from 30 to 80% in 16 minutes and providing 330 km of additional range in just 15 minutes. However, AC charging is limited to 7 kW, although you do get a 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) function. One area where the Aion V is lacking next to the Atto 3 is in the suspension – it uses a rear torsion beam instead of a multilink setup.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.