Chinese manufacturers continue their progress in the field of small electric cars with a new model called Wuling Bingo and which develops a very suitable autonomy announced at more than 300 km. She could be a hit if she landed in France one day. Which is not excluded.
Small affordable Chinese electric cars, there are starting to be a few. These are primarily reserved for the Chinese market and are just beginning to arrive in Europe, as the new Leapmotor T03 proves. Indeed, the massive electrification of cars makes it easier to comply with the environmental standards of the various countries and therefore to export production abroad.
In France, the role of the low-cost electric city car is reserved for the Dacia Spring. It starts from 15,800 euros, ecological bonus of 5,000 euros deducted. In China, this is the price of an electric city car, but much better equipped.
More than 300 km of autonomy
Precisely, this segment has a newcomer with the Wuling Bingo, a nice city car with the false air of Suzuki Swift which boasts rather interesting characteristics. This four-seater is less than four meters long and has a large wheelbase of 2.56 meters. The engine is located at the front and its weight is announced under the ton for the entry-level version and at just over 1,100 kg for the one with the most autonomy.
Wuling will offer two power levels: 30 kW (41 hp) and 50 kW (68 hp). The top speed is 100 km/h for both versions. The energy is stored in a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a capacity of 17.3 kWh. The top-of-the-range version has a battery of 31.9 kWh. The first gives the car a range of 203kmwhile the second climbs to 333km according to the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle. On the European WLTP cycle, it is necessary to count on more than 170 km for the first version and less than 300 km for the second.
An electric at a reduced price
However, there is little chance of seeing Wuling Bingo arrive in France immediately, but it could well happen in the long term. But if that were the case, with its compliance to meet European standards and additional customs fees, this model would cost much more than the 80,000 RMB (about €12,000) claimed for the basic version in China, and the 120,000 RMB (about €17,000) for the version with the longest battery life.
Bingo is manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling, a joint venture between SAIC, General Motors and Wuling Motors. Its marketing should take place during the first quarter of 2023 in China. Remember that the manufacturer is at the origin of the famous Wuling Mini EV sold in Eastern Europe and which will soon arrive in France.
“Chinese car” no longer necessarily rhymes with “low-cost”. Indeed, Chinese manufacturers setting up in Europe display their models at prices very close to “traditional” manufacturers, and therefore sometimes very far from…
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