Another Chinese car brand will be entering Australia soon, called GAC (not to be confused with gak), and its sub-brand Aion. And we’ve just spotted the first models to arrive on local soil.
Called the Aion V, this medium electric SUV will be targeting the likes of the BYD Atto 3 and Geely EX5, and is expected to arrive as one of the cheapest EVs (electric vehicles) outright. Some are suggesting around $30,000, but no official announcements have been made yet.
We spotted this example in an empty car yard today, perhaps in preparations for an official dealer launch of some kind in the near future. It was spotted parked next to a GAC E9 people-mover – a model which is also headed for local showrooms.
Although we couldn’t grab any shots of the interior as that would have required entering private property, you can clearly see this is right-hand drive and likely almost ready for our roads – albeit not registered.
Specs vary in overseas markets, with (mostly LFP) battery sizes ranging from 62-90kWh. Driving ranges span from 480km to 710km on the NEDC test cycle. In Indonesia and Thailand it is offered with a 75.3kWh battery rated at 602km (485km WLTP).
In this form outputs are 165kW and 240Nm, which is enough to see 0-100km/h done and dusted in 7.9 seconds. It’s understood the battery is capable of taking in 180kW of charging power, with 30-80 per cent charge possible in around 16 minutes.
There’s also a lower output version in Singapore producing 100kW and 240Nm, good for 0-100km/h in 9.8 seconds. Their local website claims the SUV features the “world’s safest battery”.
It’s all based on something GAC calls an Architecture Electric Platform (AEP) 3.0, featuring liquid cooling, with ADiGO Sense AI technology in the cabin with ADiGO Pilot driving powered by an Nvidia Orin X computer.
Other highlights include a 14.6-inch touch-screen and 8.8-inch digital gauge cluster, four-zone voice command, and a “560-degree” camera. There’s also a 978-litre boot (with rear seats folded).
More details and Australian specifications are expected to be announced very soon. On GAC’s international website, it says:
“With over a million vehicles and growth potential, Australia presents a lucrative opportunity for GAC to extend its global reach. The brand is in its preparatory phase, laying groundwork through dealer recruitment, channel development, and service system establishment.”
