- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He
Aito M5. Hybrid or electric car
The Aito M5 is an SUV that comes in plug-in hybrid or electric versions. The first was released in December 2021, the second in September 2022. The debut model of the new Chinese electric vehicle brand Aito (Adding Intelligence to Auto) is based on the Seres REEV DE-i platform, which makes the M5 related to the Seres SF5 SUV. Nice and dynamic, the vehicle is built with the help of the intelligent technologies of the Chinese IT giant, Huawei, a well-known manufacturer of intelligent smartphones. By the way, the Aito project was actually started by Huawei, which is also responsible for marketing and sales, as well as information technologies. Seres is only responsible for the assembly. So, Aito is Huawei’s brand.
In Israel, Seres is represented by the Seres 3 EV, a compact all-electric SUV produced since 2022. It has an eye-catching design, rich equipment and an electric motor with a capacity of 163 hp.
Hybrid Aito M5
The new hybrid Aito M5 is positioned as a ‘mobile living space’ thanks to driver assistants, network connectivity, electromobility components and other advanced systems provided by Huawei. The SUV is 4,770 mm long, 1,930 mm wide and 1,625 mm high. The wheelbase is 2,880 mm. The tires are 255/50 R19 or 255/45 R20.
The powertrain consists of a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 125 hp, which is connected to the generator and charges the battery on the go. A 40 kWh battery (together with a full tank of gasoline) provides a driving range of 1,100 km! But you can also drive in purely electric mode: the wheels are rotated by electric motors. The entry-level SUV has a total capacity of 428 hp (224 hp for the front axle and 204 hp for the rear axle). The Performance version produces 496 hp and is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. The average fuel consumption is 0.8 liters per 100 km.
Electric Aito M5
The Aito M5 EV is an electric ‘brother’ of the plug-in hybrid. Outwardly, it differs only in a smoother front end and more aerodynamic wheels. The rear ends are identical. The M5 EV is 4,785 mm long, 1,930 mm wide and 1,620 mm high, while the wheelbase is the same 2880 mm. The electric SUV offers an 80-liter front cargo compartment and a 369-liter rear compartment.
As for the interior, the electric version features a modernized center panel, a large wireless charging pad for two smartphones, as well as a driving mode selector with a fashionable crystal knob. The vehicle comes with a 10.4-inch dashboard and Huawei’s multimedia system based on Harmony OS with a 15.6-inch display, which offers extensive connectivity.
The electric SUV is available in two versions: a rear-wheel drive version with one motor with 272 hp or an all-wheel drive version with two motors with the total output of 496 hp. Both versions have the same 80 kWh traction battery, offering a driving range of 620 km or 552 km, respectively (according to the optimistic CLTC cycle). The rear-wheel drive version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, and the more powerful one does it in 4.5 seconds; maximum speed is 200 and 210 km/h, respectively. The SUV features a fully independent double wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear.
Equipment
The list of equipment is rich: adaptive LED headlights, ventilated and massaging front seats, adaptive cruise control with radars and cameras. Moreover, the SUV is equipped with a panoramic roof, all-round cameras and a bunch of USB connectors. The vehicle costs from 39,000 to 50,000 dollars.
