GAC confirms the launch of the Aion V SUV in Europe

Chinese carmaker GAC has announced its intention to sell the electric Aion V SUV in the European market next year, a model that is already on sale in China. The vehicle has just been officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, marking its debut on the European continent.

The second generation of the Aion V, which is the one set to arrive in Europe, is a fairly generous-sized model with a length of 4.65 metres. To put it in perspective, it sits in a category similar to that of the Volkswagen ID.4 or other SUVs based on the MEB platform.

Although the bodywork of the European model is unlikely to change significantly, the motor and battery pack specifications may not match exactly those of the model sold in the Chinese market, although this has not yet been confirmed. In China, the Aion V is available with battery packs of 62, 75 and 90 kWh,

allowing it to offer a range of up to 520, 650 or 750 kilometres

, respectively, under the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle, which, let us remember, tends to be somewhat more generous than the WLTP used in Europe.

Good looks inside and out

The interior of the Aion V stands out for its minimalist design, something quite common already in the latest generation of Chinese models. Once inside the vehicle, the first thing that catches the eye is its two-spoke steering wheel, along with a fully digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch panoramic central screen for the infotainment system.

At its presentation at the Paris Show, GAC wanted to highlight its Japanese heritage, the result of its collaboration with Toyota and Honda. Additionally, in a subsequent press release, the Chinese manufacturer expressed its confidence that its arrival in the European market will end up being a success

. GAC has recalled that it is one of the few firms capable of researching, developing and producing its own batteries for electric vehicles independently, without the help of an external supplier. The company also plans to introduce pioneering technologies in Europe, which will be implemented at its own home charging points, in solid-state batteries and in carbon-ceramic brake discs.

Availability in Europe

For the time being the Chinese manufacturer has not revealed which countries it will begin its European adventure in, but everything suggests it will first arrive in not-so-large countries, probably in northern Europe, before reaching larger ones such as France or Germany. It is also not yet known what the Aion V’s price will be in Europe. In China, however, the price of this electric SUV starts at 129,800 yuan, rising to 189,800 yuan for the top-of-the-range version. This equates to §h21§between roughly 16,500 and around 24 thousand euros§h22§.