LoginGAC Aion UT Is Coming For The VW ID.3 With Cute Looks And $14K Pricing
- GAC has revealed the new Aion UT’s exterior and interior styling ahead of its debut.
- The electric hatchback will rival the likes of the VW ID.3, MG4, and BYD Dolphin.
- Besides China, the GAC Aion UT will also be offered in global markets.
GAC has shared the first photos of its Aion UT on social media, ahead of its official debut at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show on November 15. The Chinese hatchback is being marketed as a “global strategic model” and will feature a fully electric powertrain, with dimensions similar to the VW ID.3.
The GAC Aion UT adopts a friendly look, with plenty of curves, a grille-less front end and sleek LED headlights. Overall, the styling language is reminiscent of the recently revealed Geome Xingyuan by the rival Geely brand. The interior is typical of Chinese EVs with a large Tesla-like infotainment screen, a two-spoke steering wheel, a floating center console, and colorful inserts.
More: Does The New Aion V Electric SUV Remind You Of A T-Rex? GAC Thinks So
According to data from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the GAC Aion UT measures 4,270 mm (168.1 inches) in length, 1,850 mm (72.8 inches) in width, and 1,575 mm (62 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm (108.3 inches). These dimensions are comparable to other electric hatchbacks, including the VW ID.3, the MG4, and the global-spec BYD Dolphin.
Power comes from a single electric motor producing 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS). Energy is sourced in a lithium iron phosphate battery pack of unknown capacity. The official sketches suggest the EV will offer over 600 km (373 miles) of range, though the larger GAC Aion RT electric sedan, with its 68.1 kWh battery, is rated for up to 650 km (400 miles) of CLTC range.
Car News China reports that the GAC Aion UT will be priced from under ¥100,000 ($13,800) in the People’s Republic, matching the starting price of the BYD Dolphin (¥99,800 / $13,800). More importantly, the GAC Aion UT will undercut both the MG4 (¥115,800 / $16,000) and the VW ID.3 (¥129,900 / $18,000) in China.
GAC Aion is the best-selling sub-brand of the GAC Group, specializing in fully electric vehicles. Besides China, the marque currently operates in Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The brand’s three “global strategic models” include the Aion V SUV, the Aion RT sedan, and the Aion UT hatchback.
