Chevroletβs Latest Electric SUV Has A Secret Chinese Twin

- The Captiva EV is based on the Chinese Wuling Starlight S but carries Chevyβs badge.
- General Motors plans to launch the EV in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
- Expect similar specs to the Wuling Starlight S, including a 317-mile driving range.
Update: Chevrolet has released new photos of the Captiva EV in Brazil, which have been added to the gallery below.
Chevrolet is expanding its electric vehicle portfolio in more markets around the world, and its latest addition is a familiar nameplate with a new powertrain. The Captiva returns, this time as an EV, but donβt expect to see it on American roads. Instead, the new model is headed to regions like Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
The Captiva name was first used in the mid-2000s for a compact SUV sold in certain markets like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, as well as parts of South East Asia, where it was also branded as the Daewoo Winstorm. After the original model was axed, GM revived the Captiva with a new version based on the Baojun 530, a Chinese model. Now, the Captiva has gone full electric, and itβs based on another Chinese offering.
Read: GMβs New Wuling Sunshine Is The Swiss Army Knife Of Chinese EVs
The model in question is the Wuling Starlight S (also known as the Xing Guang S), which is currently sold in China. Recent social media posts from General Motors in Brazil reveal that much of the Wulingβs design has been carried over to the Chevy, though itβs been tweaked just enough to better fit the Bowtie badge.
At the front, the Captiva EV sports narrow LEDs and turn signals, with the main headlamps placed lower down on the fascia. Despite being an electric vehicle, it still has a large black grille, a departure from the grille-free designs weβre used to seeing in more modern EVs. The rear end, however, is almost identical to the Wuling model, with the same taillights, tailgate, and black bumper.
The Captiva EV will be sold in markets like Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, regions where its compact size and affordability are expected to hit the mark. Needless to say, the US remains firmly out of the picture.
More: Chevroletβs Smallest EV Costs More Than Double Its Chinese Twin
Technical specifications for the new model have yet to be announced. However, we know that the all-electric version of the Starlight S has a claimed driving range of up to 317 miles (510 km) and can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.7 seconds. Similar specs can be expected for the Captiva EV, including the ability for the battery to be charged from 30-80% in 20 minutes.
Chevrolet said that the Captiva EV is currenting going through the final stages of homologations in the country, including βextensive series of tests and validationsβ. Pricing will be announced at a later date, but the official website has a form where prospective buyers can declare their interest and sign up for updates.