The Chinese electric car manufacturer Aiways has announced some changes for the 2022 model year of the U5. There are technological improvements, new names for the equipment lines and an adjusted price structure: it will cost around 3,500 euros more. In addition, the U6 is completing its final tests.
The minor model upgrades on the U5 include cosmetic changes, for example, the U5 can now also be ordered in grey. The electric drive remains essentially the same (150 kW output, the 63 kWh battery enables a WLTP range of up to 410 kilometres), but there is a change to the charging system: the new onboard charger enables three-phase charging with 11 kW, previously a maximum of 6.6 kW single-phase was possible. The charging time should thus be reduced from just under ten to less than six hours.
The DC charging capacity remains the same, with Aiways specifying 35 minutes from 20 to 80 per cent. In our test last year, we were able to achieve up to 93 kW of power at fast-charging stations. What is new is that instead of the Type 2 cable and the ICCB for Schuko charging, Aiways will in future deliver the U5 with a “universal ICCB charging cable”, “which facilitates access to three-phase 11 kW charging stations throughout Europe”. In other words, the U5 now comes with a mobile wallbox that enables charging at different connections using adapters.
There is also a small, further technical change: the antenna for DAB+ reception, which was previously placed in the windscreen, is now located outside the field of vision.
The two equipment lines basically remain the same but were renamed. The standard model becomes ‘XCITE’, the premium equipment will be sold as ‘PRIME’ in future. This basic model has, among other things, 17-inch aluminium rims, a dual-zone air conditioning system and some driving assistance systems. The ‘PRIME’ has 19-inch wheels, a tailgate that can be activated by remote control or foot control, front parking sensors and automatic parking aid.
According to the announcement, the U5 ‘XCITE’ starts at prices starting at 33,325 euros net, resulting in 39,656.75 euros gross – or 30,086.75 euros after deducting the environmental bonus. The more expensive equipment is available from 38,275 Euros net or 45,547.25 Euros gross. After subsidies, the price of the U5 ‘PRIME’ is 35,977.25 euros. Previously, the premium model cost 42,050 euros, i.e. 32,480 euros after subsidies. The model has therefore become around 3,500 euros more expensive.
Aiways’ second model, the U6 SUV coupe, completed its final winter tests in March. Prototypes covered more than 15,000 kilometres in temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius in China’s Heilongjiang province. According to Aiways, the model will be launched in China and international markets in the third quarter of 2022 – Aiways is currently active in 14 European countries.
“Aiways’ European journey is just beginning. With the introduction of the U5 SUV in 2020, Aiways became the first Chinese automaker to bring an EV to Europe,” says Alexander Klose, Vice President of Overseas Operations at Aiways. “We are now ready to follow that success with another compelling product that delivers on our brand ambitions. The new U6 SUV-Coupé marks the next stage in the company’s growth, and engineering tests like this ensure that our vehicles can compete on the international stage.”
Source: info via email, ai-ways.eu (U6)
