GAC Aion V electric car from China: competition for the VW ID.4
Chinese manufacturer GAC plans to bring the Aion V to Europe in 2025. The compact electric crossover made a mature impression on its first few kilometers.
(Image: GAC)
- Wolfgang Gomoll
At 4.60 m long, 1.85 m wide and 1.69 m high, the "compact crossover" car has similar dimensions to an Opel Grandland or a VW ID.4. Its angular design, two-tone paintwork and uncluttered interior create an individual appearance. The first car that Guangzhou Automobile (GAC), which was founded in 1955, wants to bring to Europe has recognition value. We were able to test drive a pre-production model for a few kilometers on the fringes of the Paris Motor Show.
Economical with controls
When designing the interior, "less is more" was probably the motto. This also applies to physical controls, without GAC becoming as extremely economical as Tesla. The instrument display measures 8.9 inches, the central touchscreen 14.6 inches. A head-up display is not on offer. Apart from two roller knobs on the steering wheel, the controls are operated entirely via the touchscreen and by voice, an option that was not yet available in the test car. Apart from that, the controls are almost intuitive, unlike in many other Chinese cars.
GAC Aion V Exterior (7 Bilder)
GAC
)The thickly upholstered seats are comfortable and the terracotta-colored leather is soft to the touch. The fact that the two front seats have an eight-point massage function with three different settings adds to the feel-good ambience. There is plenty of space at the front and rear. If you want to sleep in the Aion, the backrests can be folded down to form a reclining surface for two adults. A small refrigerator between the front seats keeps drinks fresh even on long journeys.
Choice in recuperation
On the domestic market, the Aion V is available in two versions with 150 or 165 kW and a torque of 240 Nm. The more powerful version reaches 100 km/h from a standstill in 7.9 seconds and accelerates up to 160 km/h. The electric punch remains comparatively mild. In addition to the dynamic driving program, a comfort mode and "Energy Saving" are also available. The latter with particularly pronounced recuperation, which can also be set to "weak", "medium" or switched off completely.
GAC Aion V Interior (7 Bilder)
GAC
)The LFP battery (lithium iron phosphate) in our test car has an energy content of 75.3 kWh and offers a range of 521 km in the WLTP. The batteries with experimental cell chemistries, which GAC is working on with CATL and testing in the Aion, could be delivered later if they are successful. Various consumption figures are currently circulating; in a data sheet for the test car, GAC stated 15.9 kWh/100 km. Under ideal conditions, electricity for 255 km should be recharged within 15 minutes. A quick recalculation: 37.5 kWh per 255 km, i.e. 150 kW/4/2.55 would correspond to a consumption of 14.7 kWh/100 km including charging losses. A maximum of 150 kW is possible with direct current and 11 kW with alternating current. This is soon to be doubled to 22 kW. Preconditioning is apparently available so that the charging time does not potentially increase in winter and is also essential for LFP cell chemistry. Vehicle-to-load (V2L), which can be used to power household electrical appliances or power tools, for example, is standard.
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The Aion V is comfortable, but not as smooth as other Chinese SUVs. Its steering could be a little more direct and offer more feedback. However, GAC would like to find a set-up to suit the tastes of European drivers anyway. GAC managers at the trade fair did not want to comment on the price, citing the punitive tariffs. It is likely to be between 30,000 and 35,000 euros.
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