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Wuling Hongguang Mini EV

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Wuling Hongguang Mini EV
Overview
ManufacturerSAIC-GM-Wuling
Also called
  • Freze Nikrob (Lithuania)
  • Rainwoll RW10 (Turkey)
  • SGMW Mini EV (Vietnam)
Production2020–present
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassCity car
Body style
LayoutRear-motor, rear-wheel-drive
PlatformSGMW Global Small Electric Vehicle[2][3]
Related
Powertrain
Electric motor1x1XM AC permanent magnet synchronous motor
Power output
  • 15 kW (20 hp; 20 PS)
  • 20 kW (27 hp; 27 PS)
  • 30 kW (40 hp; 41 PS)
Transmission1-speed direct-drive
Battery
Electric range120 km, 170 km or 280 km (75 mi, 110 mi or 170 mi)
Dimensions
Wheelbase1,940 mm (76.4 in)
Length2,917 mm (114.8 in)
3,061 mm (120.5 in)
3,064 mm (120.6 in) (Game Boy Urban Windchaser)
3,089 mm (121.6 in) (Game Boy Racing Ranger)
Width1,493 mm (58.8 in)
1,520 mm (59.8 in) (Game Boy)
1,521 mm (59.9 in) (Urban Windchaser / Racing Ranger)
Height1,621 mm (63.8 in)
1,659–1,665 mm (65.3–65.6 in) (Game Boy)
1,649 mm (64.9 in) (Urban Windchaser)
1,604 mm (63.1 in) (Racing Ranger)
Curb weight665 kg (1,466 lb)[4]

The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (Chinese: 五菱宏光MiniEV) is a battery electric city car manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling since 2020.[5] Retail deliveries began in China in July 2020. As of February 2023, global sales since inception have passed 1.1 million units, and the Mini EV has become the best-selling electric car in China.[6]

Overview

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The Mini EV can seat four people, and standard features including air conditioning, power windows, stereo system, storage and compartments. Standard safety features of the Mini EV include anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring sensors, and rear parking sensors. Early models did not include a driver airbag, but later models such as the Mini EV Macaron include the feature as standard.[7]

Power is produced by an electric motor making a peak 20 kW (27 hp; 27 PS) and 85 N⋅m (63 lb⋅ft) of torque[8] with rear-wheel drive, propelling the car to a stated top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). The Mini EV is equipped with a 9.2 kWh battery capable of a NEDC range of 120 km (75 mi) or a 13.8kWh battery capable of a NEDC range of 170 km (110 mi).[9] Based on the NEDC driving cycle, the estimated energy consumption of the Mini EV is 8,1 kWh/100 km.[10]

A 26.5 kWh model is due for 2022, with 280 kilometres (170 mi) (CLTC) estimated range, an optional more powerful 30 kW (40 hp; 41 PS) motor, and an improved interior.[11]

In 2020, the Mini EV had a price starting at US$4,162, and topped out at US$5,607 for a fully-loaded model, making it China's cheapest electric car.[12] The car has attracted a cult following in China, with owners frequently modifying their vehicles.[13][14] The popularity has been compared to that of kei cars in Japan.[15] The vehicle has been such a success that it has inspired a number of copycats and competitors, including the Chery QQ Ice Cream, Dongfeng Fengguang Mini EV,[16] Geely Panda Mini EV, and BAW S3.[17]

Variants

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Mini EV Macaron

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SAIC-GM-Wuling launched a variant of the regular Mini EV called the Mini EV Macaron in April 2021. The Macaron is a customized version that is available with three exclusive paint colors and more standard features. The Macaron is sold as a more premium and personalized variant that features redesigned darkened LED headlights, two-tone alloy wheels and exclusive body colors. The colors are Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow and White Peach Pink, which are the results of the collaboration of Wuling and Pantone Universe.[18] The Macaron also receives more safety equipment compared to the previous base trim level, including low-speed pedestrian warning, a reversing camera with rear parking sonar and a driver-side airbag.[18]

The Macaron is equipped with a small electric motor that generates a more powerful 20 kW (27 hp; 27 PS) and 85 N⋅m (63 lb⋅ft) of torque compared to the previously launched base trim while range remains unchanged.[18]

Mini EV Cabrio

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A convertible concept version of the Mini EV called the Mini EV Cabrio with a folding soft top was unveiled during the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, with the vehicle body design based on the Mini EV Macaron. The production version vehicle body design is based on Mini EV GameBoy Edition and was launched in September 2022.[19]

Freze Nikrob

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In 2021 Lithuanian company Nikrob UAB announced a rebadged version of the Mini EV called the FreZe Nikrob with knock-down assembly in Vilnius, Lithuania.[20]

Rainwoll RW10

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In 2023, A Turkish company called Rainwoll announced a rebadged version of Wuling Hongguang Mini EV called the Rainwoll RW10. It is sold in 3 trim levels; Basic, Comfort, and Macaron.

Mini EV GameBoy Edition

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The Mini EV GameBoy Edition was introduced in March 2022.[21] Its exterior has been completely restyled with larger dimensions, while the power remains to be unchanged and carried over from the standard Mini EV producing 27 hp (20 kW; 27 PS) and 85 N⋅m (63 lb⋅ft) or 40 hp (30 kW; 41 PS) and 110 N⋅m (81 lb⋅ft), mated to a 9.2, 13.9, or 25.5 kWh battery.[22]

Sales

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With six months in the market, the Mini EV sold 119,255 units in 2020, and ranked as China's and the world's second best selling plug-in car after the Tesla Model 3.[23][24]

In January 2021, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), the Mini EV topped new energy vehicles sales with 25,778 units, compared to the Tesla Model 3 with 13,843 units sold in China.[25]

The Mini EV listed as the world's top selling plug-in car in January 2021.[26]

Year China
2020 127,651[27]
2021 395,451[28]
2022 404,823[29]
2023 237,863[30]

References

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  1. ^ "Wuling HongGuang MiniEV đã xuất xưởng tại Việt Nam, có thể bán sớm | AutoFun". Tin tức ô tô AutoFun (in Vietnamese). 26 May 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  2. ^ 张洁. "Popular Wuling EVs to hit global markets in 2022". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  3. ^ "SGMW to unveil Wuling brand's first two-seater NEV model 'NanoEV'". autonews.gasgoo.com. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  4. ^ "The tiny Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV costs just P200,000". Top Gear Philippines.
  5. ^ "Tiny Wuling Hongguang Mini EV Has Locked In 50,000 Orders". Carscoops.
  6. ^ Kane, Mark (14 January 2022). "China: Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV Sets Massive Sales Record". InsideEVs. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  7. ^ "This Adorable Four Seat Electric Hatchback is Selling Like Crazy in China". The Drive. 6 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Wuling Launches Hong Guang MINI EV". media.gm.com. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Check Out This Must-See Review Of The Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV". Inside EVs.
  10. ^ "SAIC Wuling Hongguang Mini". Watt EV 2 Buy. April 2020.
  11. ^ "Wuling Mini EV gets a long-range version of 280 km range". CarNewsChina.com. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  12. ^ "GM scores a bestseller in China with $4,200 electric micro car". Autoblog.com.
  13. ^ Goldthread - This Little $4,500 Electric Car is the Hottest Thing in China Right Now, 2 September 2021, retrieved 16 September 2021
  14. ^ "宏光MINIEV潮动上海开创新能源潮创文化-新华网". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  15. ^ "五菱宏光,正在把汽车做成快消品|界面新闻 · JMedia". www.jiemian.com. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Dongfeng Fengguang MINI EV official images released". CarNewsChina.com. 2 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  17. ^ "Worry For The Wuling MINI EV (or not): BAW S3 & S5 Mini EVs Unveiled". CarNewsChina.com. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  18. ^ a b c "New Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron Launches In China". gmauthority.
  19. ^ "Wuling Launches Hong Guang MINIEV Cabrio in China". media.gm.com. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  20. ^ Winton, Neil (27 April 2021). "Chinese/U.S. Cheap Minicar Might Spur Europe's Electric Car Mass Market". Forbes. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  21. ^ "GM's All-New Wuling MINI EV GameBoy Edition Revealed". GM Authority. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  22. ^ "Wuling Hongguang MINI EV Game Boy Edition Arrives At The Dealer In China". carnewschina.com. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  23. ^ Jose, Pontes (2 February 2021). "Global Top 20 - December 2020". EVSales.com. Retrieved 3 March 2021. "The Tesla Model 3, with 365,240 units delivered was the world's top selling plug-in passenger car in 2020."
  24. ^ Jose, Pontes (21 January 2021). "China December 2020". EVSales.com. Retrieved 3 March 2021. "The Tesla Model 3, with 139,925 units delivered, was the China's top selling plug-in passenger car in 2020."
  25. ^ Harper, Justin (25 February 2021). "Chinese £3,200 budget electric car takes on Tesla". BBC News.
  26. ^ Jose, Pontes (28 February 2021). "Global Top 20 January 2021". EVSales.com. Retrieved 3 March 2021. The Hongguang Mini EV, with 36,762 units delivered was the world's top selling plug-in passenger car in January 2021, followed by the Tesla Model 3 with 21,589 units.
  27. ^ "China: Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV Amazes With 35,000+ Sales In December". InsideEVs. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  28. ^ "China: Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV Sets Massive Sales Record". InsideEVs. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  29. ^ "乘联会发布 2022 年中国市场汽车销量榜". auto.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  30. ^ "【易车销量榜】全国2023年零售量销量榜-易车榜-易车". car.yiche.com. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
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