GAC’s Aion UT has gone on sale and if you get in quick, you can get one for a bit off.
The small, city-focused EV is a blend of form and function, with a range of up to 430km (WLTP).
It comes in two grades, Premium and Luxury, priced from $31,990 (or $30,990 driveaway if you order one before April 9).
The Luxury model is $35,990 (or $35,990 driveaway before the same date).
The first 600 buyers will also get a bonus bonus 10A granny charger and 22kW wall box.
While anyone who test drives a GAC during the promotional period automatically goes into a draw to win one of two Aion UTs.
To give this car some perspective, the Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) is a Chinese state-owned car maker based in Guangzhou, Guangdong.
It was the fifth largest automobile manufacturer in China, with 2.144 million sales in 2021.
The Chinese brand touched down here last year with three models: petrol-powered Emzoom (small crossover), electric Aion V (mid-size SUV) and the plug-in hybrid M8 (people mover).
The Aion UT is GAC’s fourth model and will compete against the BYD Dolphin, MG4 Urban and GWM Ora EVs.
Penned by GAC’s Milan Design Centre and inspired by the influences of Europe’s fashion capital, the five-seat hatch displays presents a sleek fastback design, two-tone floating roof and pixel graphics that enhance its tech-savvy character.
It is equipped with the world’s first “eyebrow style” headlights.
With a single electric motor that powers the front wheels, Aion UT develops 150kW of power and 210Nm of torque.
Both versions power from the same 60 kWh battery, with a power-saving heat pump and energy consumption a claimed 16.4 kWh/100km.
Maximum AC charging rate is 11kW and fast DC charging up to 87kW, with the latter delivering 30-80 per cent charge in as little as 24 minutes with the right equipment.
Standard kit includes 17-inch alloys, fake leather, climate air (rear vents), 14.6-inch centre touchscreen, on-line voice control, on-line satnav (for three years), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FM and DAB+ digital radio – but no AM radio.
Top-tier Luxury adds to the equipment list with a powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade, power-fold mirrors, auto-dimming rear view mirror, wireless phone charging and cooled driver’s seat.
Interestingly, both grades are equipped with an alcohol lock which presumably means it won’t start if you’re over the limit.
Aion UT is covered by a competitive 8-year warranty, with five years of roadside assistance provided the car is serviced with them. The battery pack gets 8 years/200,000km.
Of note the warranty drops to 7-years for petrol models which buyers could find confusing. Consistency is important.
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