2020 Skywell ET5 SUV. 1st generation
The Skywell ET5 is an all-electric midsize SUV, produced since 2020. In October 2021, the Kaduri family announced the start of import of the first generation to Israel. The new Skywell ET5 fully complies with the American standard, therefore, unlike most Chinese models, it can be imported to Israel without quantity restrictions.
Skywell was founded in 2011. Initially, it was a bus manufacturer. But in 2019, the company, together with Skyworth (both companies belong to the same owner), developed the ET5 midsize electric SUV.
Exterior
The 2020/2021 Skywell ET5 looks like a well-balanced, solid SUV with a trendy futuristic brutal front end. It does not have any characteristic or memorable design elements, which is perhaps for the best. Faceless grille, thin LED headlights. In profile, it looks like a standard affordable SUV. The rear end is moderate, featuring the massive rear reflectors that contrast with a single full-length rear light strip. The vehicle is 4,698 mm long, 1,908 mm wide and 1,696 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,800 mm. The maximum tire dimension is 235/50 R19. There is still not enough information to have a complete picture, but those who saw it personally speak of matrix-type laser headlights.
Interior
Like almost any modern electric vehicle, the new ET5 has an impressive list of standard equipment. Atop the two-tier dashboard is a 12.8-inch center LED infotainment screen with Skylink intelligent connectivity, designed by Skyworth. Standard equipment includes an air purifier, electronically adjustable ventilated front seats, automatic climate control, and panoramic sunroof. Driver assistance system comprise adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, autonomous parking, and lane keeping assist. The interior is designed for five people. As for the unusual advantages, the driver’s seat back is able to take an almost horizontal position as a “patented sleep seat”.
Powertrain
It is currently known that there are two versions of the ET5 equipped with the same electric motor, which produces 204 hp and 320 Nm of torque, presumably driving the front wheels. However, the versions offer different driving ranges: the entry-level version provides a range of 410 km, while the advanced version offers 520 km (NEDC cycle). The battery itself is a three-component lithium unit made of nickel-cobalt-manganese with an energy density of up to 170 W/h/kg, supplemented by a highly integrated three-in-one electrical system. Charging from 30% to 80% should take half an hour. The connectors are located in the hatches on the front fenders on both sides.
Prospects
The new Skywell ET5 is the first Chinese passenger vehicle to be officially imported into the United States, and is also supplied to Germany. So far, it is hard to tell anything about its prospects. Even all the technical details are presumable so far. Perhaps, when the series deliveries of the brand’s electric vehicles start, the ET5 will be equipped differently.
