In September last year, Chinese new energy vehicle brand Hycan indicated plans to enter the Malaysian market sometime in the first quarter of this year, with distribution and marketing of its EV vehicles being handled by a Malaysian company called Concept Fields. It was also stated that Hycan was set to market the brand under a different name in markets outside of China.
Things have been quiet since that initial announcement. It was then reported two months later that the Guangzhou-based automaker – which was initially established by GAC Group (GAC) and Nio in 2018 as GAC-Nio New Energy Technology – was not exactly in the pink of health back in its home market, which raised the question as to whether it would make its way here as intended.
It now looks like something may finally be stirring, partially at least. Yesterday, a couple of images uploaded to the paultan.org Facebook automotive discussion page showed Hycan models at an unknown local location, with the brand’s Z03 SUV easily discernible in the photos.
A second model is also present, and this is the A06 sedan, which is identified by its front bumper design, which distinguishes it from its cheaper A06 Plus sibling.
The thing to note is that the Z03 units are left-hand drive examples (and likely too for the A06), so these could be units shipped in previously, or brought in now simply to gauge interest and for preview purposes. With no indication as to actual RHD deployment or marketing timelines, it could be quite a while more before anything shapes up, if it does.
A recap of what to expect, should it happen. The Z03 SUV is a five-seat C-segment offering that is essentially a reworked GAC Aion Y Plus. Measuring in at 4,602 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,645 mm tall, with a 2,750 mm-long wheelbase, the EV is available in two different power output versions domestically, the first offering 183 PS (135 kW) and the second, 217 PS (160 kW), with torque being identical for both at 225 Nm.
In China, three battery capacities are available for the Z03, and they are 55.5 kWh, 63.98 kWh and 76.8 kWh, offering the SUV a travel range of up to 430 km, 510 km and 620 km respectively, all based on China’s very generous CLTC test standards. With DC fast charging, it takes 36 mins to get the 55.5 and 63.98 kWh batteries from a 30 to 80% SoC, while the 76.8 kWh battery needs 45 minutes.
As for the A06, the sedan comes with FWD (standard and extended range) and AWD options as well as two battery capacities (63 kWh and 71 kWh), these offering a CLTC range of 550 to 630 km respectively. Output from the standard front-wheel drive version is 183 PS (135 kW) and 225 Nm, while the extended-range FWD version has 217 PS (160 kW) and 225 Nm.
On the AWD version, output is bumped to 462 PS (340 kW) and 534 Nm. Without stating the maximum kW in DC fast charging the car supports, the manufacturer claims that the A06 can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 36 minutes, regardless of the battery capacity.
Last year’s announcement also mentioned a third model type, the V09 MPV, so despite not being sighted, the presence of the first two should mean this one is likely to be in the plans as well.
All versions of the fully-electric luxury seven-seat MPV, which is longer and wider than the latest Toyota Alphard, are equipped with the same front-mounted electric motor offering 275 PS (202 kW) and 335 Nm of torque. Like the Z03, three battery capacity options are available for the V09, namely 92 kWh, 95.16 kWh and 114.19 kWh, offering the MPV a travel range from 620 to 762 km (again, CLTC) on a single charge.
What do you think of the Hycan EVs, and how do you think they will fare here, should they eventually appear? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
GALLERY: Hycan Z03 SUV
GALLERY: Hycan A06 sedan
GALLERY: Hycan V09 MPV
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