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Aion V

Soon-to-arrive challenger brand Aion has formally launched the second-generation version of its Aion V electric mid-size SUV across three grades, seven spec levels and a wide price range.

In a cloud launch conference held in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen overnight, the GAC EV-only subsidiary confirmed three models are now on sale in China, the 520, 650 and 750 with domestic market pricing ranging from 129,800 to 189,800 yuan (approximately AU$27,000-$40,000).

GAC Aion said it received more than 10,000 orders for the five-seat newcomer within 90 minutes of the official launch.

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The model designations relate to three available (lithium iron phosphate) battery backs (62, 75 and 90kWh) delivering (CLTC) ranges of 520, 650 and 750km, respectively.

And the car’s 400V electronic architecture and ‘3C’ fast charging tech means it’s capable of taking on 370km of range in a 15-minute fast charge.

At the top of the range, the flagship 650 Lidar trim is equipped with a Lidar on the roof as well as five millimetre-wave radars, 11 cameras, and 12 ultrasonic radars to support the ‘ADiGO Pilot’ intelligent driving assistance system, powered by an NVIDIA ‘Orin-X’ chip.

It’s also worth noting, once the new model is established the Aion V range is set to be expanded to include a battery swap-enabled variant. GAC Aion has so far established more than a dozen battery swap stations in major Chinese centres to enable the technology in a selected number of its other domestic market models.

Aion V - T-Rex Inspired

Built in China and Thailand, the distinctive debutant is underpinned by GAC Aion's ‘all-electric platform’ (AEP) and measures 4605mm long, 1854mm wide and 1660mm tall with a 2775mm wheelbase. This puts the Aion V in the same 'size ball park' as the usual medium SUV suspects like the Honda ZR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4.

All variants are single-motor, front-wheel drive with two power outputs offered - 150kW and 165kW - both producing 240Nm. Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration is 7.9 seconds.

The car’s design is the result of a global collaboration between teams in Los Angeles, Milan, Shanghai and Guangzhou with the main inspiration noted as the heavy-hitting Tyrannosaurus Rex (the ‘H-shape’ headlights represent the T-Rex’s claws) and Aion claims an impressive overall drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.27.

Aion V

The Aion V runs on 19-inch alloys shod with 225/45 Maxxis Victra Sport 5 rubber for the Chinese market.

Inside, a 14.6-inch central multimedia screen dominates the dash along with a full LCD instrument display.

Other interior highlights include a 6.6-litre centre console box that’s capable of heating, cooling and even freezing. Standard boot volume is 427 litres, expanding to 987L with rear seats lowered.

With sales scheduled to begin in 2025, Australia will form the next step in GAC’s global expansion after the brand has begun reaching into select Middle Eastern, European, South American and African markets.

Aion V

However, Aion Australia Chief Operating Officer Charles Lau has told CarsGuide that unlike Chery, BYD or MG, which are marketed by factory-owned subsidiaries here, GAC and Aion will be imported by independent operator AGA Auto Australia.

The company has no track record of vehicle importing in Australia, starting life in 2002 as an inbound tour travel agency greeting guests from China.

Discussing sales models, Mr Lau said traditional dealer franchise, direct-to-consumer (as per Tesla and Genesis) and agency models, as Mercedes-Benz and Honda offer, are all under consideration.

Aion V

“The one that stands out, realistically, to us is the agency/dealer hybrid model”, said Mr Lau.

“We want to build a brand that is here to be sustainable more than – in crude terms – flog off as many cars as we can and no more.”

In similar fashion to BYD’s model with MyCar service centres and Ineos’ Bosch relationship, CarsGuide understands GAC will look to partner with other service providers to improve coverage.