- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr Ar He
The most amazing cars from China
The automotive sector in China is the fastest growing in the world: dozens of new brands appear every year, and recently the luxury segment has been growing especially actively. Chinese manufacturers keep on producing more and more expensive cars. China’s technological progress is not just going “step by step” with the old brands, but is striving to take the lead. Chinese models are capable of surprising and blowing mind. Venerable designers from Europe are happy to work for the automakers from China, and the cars are becoming more attractive.
When building their cars, Chinese companies focus not only on the needs and characteristics of the domestic market, but also on European buyers. Many models are already sold in Europe, including Israel. Chinese buyers still appreciate sedans and off-road vehicles, but the bulk of the cars created, as elsewhere in the world, are front-wheel drive SUVs. Finally, some concerns that own numerous brands are state-owned! Now it will become clearer to you why we want to talk about the most amazing cars from China. Moreover, some of them are already in Israel (or their ‘relatives’) or will come to us in the future.
XEV YoYo
There are several similar models, and they are already exported to Europe. The electric 2-seater city car is partly 3D printed and powered by a modest electric motor with 20 hp, installed on the rear axle. The YoYo city car accelerates to 80 km/h, offering the driving range of 150 km. In Europe, the car costs 13,900 euros. And in China itself, it has an alternative, the following tiny electric cars: a two-seater or four-seater Wuling Air EV or Wuling Mini EV, ranked 10th in the ranking of the world’s best-selling cars in 2021. Both are insanely popular in China, because their cost is about 10 thousand dollars.
ORA Ballet Cat
ORA owned by Great Wall, makes a whole family of electric vehicles, whose retro design, according to the good old Chinese tradition, is borrowed from a well-known model, in this case, the Volkswagen Beetle. The Ora Ballet Cat is a small hatchback, 4.5 m long, called the most ‘sexist’ car. Its presentation involved pastel colors and manicure master classes. The car has options that the ladies will love: an LED makeup mirror, a separate selfie camera (it takes photos/videos and uploads to social networks), a cosmetic bag and a special climate control mode for menstruations… However, there are options that are useful for any gender such as an automatic parking assistant. The Israeli market will offer its closest ‘relative’, a compact electric hatchback, the OPA Funky Cat, with a starting driving range of about 300 km or 400 km for more advanced versions. The sales are scheduled for the first quarter of 2023.
Jidu Auto Robo-01
The Jidu Robo-01 high-tech mid-size SUV was created jointly by the Baidu IT company and the automotive concern Geely. The union aims at creating electric vehicles with an integrated autonomous driving system. The Robo-01 is able to drive completely independently on difficult routes (it comes with a level 4 autopilot according to SAE classification). But in China, only level 2 has been legalized so far, which means allowing the autopilot to handle traffic jams and highways under constant human control. Due to two motors, the ‘smart’ car can accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and the battery with a capacity of 100 kWh provides a driving range of up to 600 km.
Zeekr 001
Here is another Geely sub-brand, Zeekr, and another amazing car, the Zeekr 001, a large electric liftback introduced in October 2021. One of its modifications is capable of running more than 1,000 km on one charge. This model has already managed to become famous for its achievements, included in the Guinness World Records: it set world records as the fastest electric car in drifting and slalom.
HiPhi X
One of the youngest, but undoubtedly unusual Chinese brands, HiPhi, has already made a name for itself. Its luxury electric full-size SUV, the [HiPhi X], has been on sale since May 2021 year and costs from 570 thousand yuan (almost 85 thousand dollars). But even at this price, in 2021, it was able to become the best-selling luxury electric car in China and entered the list of the ‘smartest Chinese cars’. It is literally crammed with high technology and is able to recognize the owner. Matrix optics is equipped with projectors that depict a pedestrian crossing. Headlights and taillights show emoticons, hearts and other signs. The rear doors open rearward, and the top of the gullwing roof rises. The twin-engine powertrain produces 598 hp. It takes the car 3.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. The driving range reaches 550 km. The first owners have received the lifetime warranty, maintenance and charging for their cars.
Yangwang U8
The luxury sub-brand, Yangwang, owned by BYD has unveiled a mind-blowing SUV, the Yangwang U8, which will go into production by the end of 2023. The vehicle’s brutal appearance was designed by Wolfgang Josef Egger, the former Chief Designer of Alfa Romeo, SEAT, Lamborghini and Audi. Each U8 wheel is equipped with an electric motor, producing in total more than 1,100 hp. The SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds. The traction of each of the motors and the distribution of torque between the wheels is controlled by electronics. It is even possible to drive with one punctured wheel (up to 120 km/h). The body was made waterproof, as were the engines, and the protection against water and dust corresponds to the IP68 class. The vehicle can turn around on the spot, turning the wheels of each side in opposite directions.
Voyah Free
The Voyah Free is a stylish SUV from the Voyah sub-brand, created by the Chinese state company Dongfeng in 2020 for the most advanced and expensive models. The first Voyah Free models have already been seen in Israel. The SUV is roomy and richly equipped. It offers a good air suspension (ground clearance varies from 113 to 213 mm) and driving range. It can be either electric or sequential plug-in hybrid. The electric version is equipped with a pair of motors with a total output of 680 hp and 1,000 Nm. A 106 kWh traction battery provides a driving range of 500 km. The SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, the maximum speed is limited at around 200 km/h.
Hongqi L5
China’s most expensive car ever produced in the country, from China’s oldest passenger car brand, Hongqi. In Israel, this brand is represented by a luxury electric SUV, the Hongqi E-HS9. The Hongqi L5 executive limousine was offered at a price of 5 million yuan (800,000 dollars). But even if you have that kind of money, you won’t be able to buy a car right away: you will be subjected to a thorough check to confirm that you truly deserve it… The limousine has a huge length, 5,555 mm, to match its width, 2,018 mm, and a wheelbase equal to 3,435 mm, as well as a roomy luxurious interior. But technically the car is archaic: a 6-liter V12 gasoline engine with a capacity of 408 hp and all-wheel drive. The L5 is included in the list of amazing cars not only for the cost, but also for its history. It was created on the basis of armored HQE limousines of 2009, which were drawn with an eye on the CA770 model of the 60s, which, in turn, was copied from one of the government cars of the former USSR, the Volga GAZ-21. Another consequence of the then friendship between the USSR and the PRC was the creation of the state company FAW.
Nio EP9
The NextEV startup and its Nio brand, with the support of their own Formula E racing division, decided to set a new speed record. To do this, they designed and produced a stunning megacar, the Nio EP9, in the amount of only 16 cars. The power of its 4-motor powertrain is 1 megawatt (1,360 hp)! In 2016, the Chinese car completed the Nurburgring faster than all production models. Of course, more powerful and faster ones have appeared since then, but it was a significant milestone for China. The car broke another record in February 2017: the Circuit of the America in Austin, Texas, completed in 02:40.330. Moreover, the car raced without a driver, since it has an offline mode. And with the driver Aaron Bailey, the EP9 established an even faster time of 2 minutes and 11.30 seconds, reaching a top speed of 273.5 km/h. The company then switched to SUVs, and its electric SUV, the Nio ES6, was named Car of the Year in China. In 2022, Nio electric models started to be delivered to Europe, so maybe they will reach Israel.
