There is a tendency to associate -wrongly- the Chinese origin of a car (or of almost any vehicle) with lower quality standards than we are used to in Europe. But that is no longer necessarily so. Or at least not always. Perhaps there was a time when China was synonymous with products manufactured with little care or detail, to put it in some way, with materials of dubious durability, precarious adjustments, processes that could be improved and, ultimately, with production levels below what was expected. expected or, at least, lower compared to other intra-community invoiced goods.
Well, some Chinese manufacturers have set out to put an end to the fame of their cars being cheap and simple, definitively banishing the widespread belief that in China they only make “copies” of existing models and proven designs at prices without competition, ignoring key aspects such as reliability or security. This is the case, for example, of the firm Aiways, which has just launched its new U6, a compact coupe SUV with exclusively electric propulsion in the main European markets.
Founded in 2017, Aiways is a Shanghai-based personal mobility provider with its European operational headquarters in Munich. With no past or ties to the automotive industry, it was the first Chinese start-up to introduce an electric vehicle to the European market with the launch of the U5 in 2020, a “traditional” format electric SUV.
The firm continues its expansion in Europe and beyond with its next novelty, the U6 SUV-Coupé, whose approach is dominated by a sportier design based on more sophisticated aerodynamics, highly connected driving and the most advanced safety technologies. Aiways -whose distribution in Spain is carried out by Astara (formerly Bergé, which sells in our country brands such as Mitsubishi, Subaru or SsangYong, among others)- announces for this model a maximum power of 160 kW and a range of up to 405 kilometers according to WLTP, which can reach nearly 600 km in exclusively urban driving conditions.
The self-developed AI-PT powertrain that Aiways has implemented in the U6 offers a nominal power of 218 HP and a maximum torque of 315 Nm. It achieves acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 7 seconds, and its top speed has been electronically limited to 160 km/h. The sensations at the controls of the U6 do not turn out to be as forceful as in other electric ones in relation to acceleration and thrust. They are of course more than enough but not brilliant or “overwhelming”.
It is an easily manageable power delivery, without suddenness and always with a great feeling of control. In general, it is quite comfortable and smooth with very accessible and natural handling that does not seek sports sensations or first-rate dynamism, opting instead for a pleasant and pleasant ride thanks to a good job of soundproofing and acoustic insulation.
It is equipped with a 63 kWh capacity battery that provides up to 405 kilometers of autonomy (WLTP) given that its average energy consumption is estimated at 15.9-16.6 kWh/100 km (WLTP). The brand announces that with a high power point for fast charging of 90 kW in direct current (DC) it would recover from 30 to 80% capacity in 30 minutes. It can also be recharged in an 11 kW triphasic alternating current (AC) socket, where it would require 7 hours to recover from 0 to 100% of its capacity.
Aesthetically, the U6 represents an evolution of the design language of the young Chinese brand, which lacks visual references or design “inheritances” from previous models that must be respected or reinterpreted. Aiways started with a “blank slate” in the U5, and the SUV coupe-style variant is simply another step forward in this new stylistic path.
It presents an aerodynamically optimized front end inspired by sharks (“shark nose†-say its designers-) with a lower grill in the shape of a honeycomb and among the design resources used are flush door handles or functional deflector elements. of the front and rear parts, along with the heel cups.
Its silhouette and these carbon fiber-like appendages translate into a drag coefficient of 0.248, excellent for a vehicle of its characteristics. Another distinctive feature of its exterior design (which could perfectly display the logos of any general or even premium European brand) are its successful 20-inch alloy wheels in a two-tone finish that add lightness and depth to its image. It has a Full LED lighting system, one-piece inverted U-shaped rear optics and dynamic turn signals.
With exterior dimensions of 4.80 m long, 1.88 m wide and 1.64 m high and a wheelbase of 2,800 mm, the U6 offers a boot capacity from 472 liters to 1,260 liters and a hatchback electric with foot sensor. Its empty weight, unrivaled among vehicles in its class, is only 1,790 kg, thanks to its innovative structure that combines aluminum and high-strength steel, which also provides a 50/50 mass distribution. It can also boast the largest panoramic roof in the segment, at 2.1 m2.
The elements that most denote its Asian origin are found inside. Among these factors -somewhat far from the sober and traditional tastes that European motorists prefer- there are aspects related to the color combination and the location and ergonomics of some controls.
So, for example, it’s hard not to mention its colorful tri-color combination (admittedly a point excessive) for its perforated vegan leather sports seats. The gear selector is also less shocking, a nautical-inspired fixed lever in which only the central grip rotates, and through which the gears are activated: D, P, R, N.
Another peculiarity is found, for example, in the almost total absence of physical buttons. So much so that it lacks even the classic start button. The car is “activated” automatically when you step on the brake, while for it to turn off it is necessary to access a menu on the large 14.6-inch central touch screen where you will have to press the virtual button designated for this purpose. Equally surprising (because it is impractical and intuitive) is the location of the emergency flashers, which is located on the roof, next to the reading lights.
In short, small “concessions” in exchange for having a solid, undoubtedly distinctive and original alternative to the more conventional and “homogenized” proposals of the large European automobile groups.
The price of the new Aiways U6 in our country is 49,540 euros (applying the Moves III plan its rate would be reduced to 42,450 euros) plus 950 euros for delivery costs, although the brand offers a commercial launch discount of 1,210 euros, for which finally remains at 49,149 euros.
