The nation's car brands are launching high-powered performance models significantly undercutting traditional rivals
China’s almost complete domination of the electric vehicle supply chain has allowed it to produce mass-market EVs that cost significantly less than its overseas rivals. Some of China’s largest car manufacturer are now growing their ranges to beyond just affordable cars and to also include compelling sports cars and supercars.
One of the nation’s most compelling new electric sports car is the Hyper SSR from GAC’s Aion subbrand. The car was officially unveiled in October and is being built on a build-to-order basis with several examples currently being manufactured each day.
GAC Aion offers it in three guises. The entry-level model starts at 1,286,000 yuan (~$180,000) and uses a pair of electric motors to deliver a monumental 1,207 hp and 907 lb-ft (1,230 Nm) of torque, allowing it to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 2.3 seconds. An SSR Speed variant priced at 1,386,000 yuan ($193,900) drops the 0-62 mph time to 1.9 seconds while the flagship 1,686,000 yuan (~$236,000) version offers a greater focus on track performance.
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GAC Aion Hyper SSR
“We hope the SSR will boost the EV brand [image] and serve as a model for China’s entry into high-end ‘new energy vehicles’,” GAC president Feng Xingya told Nikkei Asia.
New-energy vehicle leader BYD is also getting into the supercar game with the U9, produced through its YangWang division. It uses a quad-motor system with 1,069 hp and can hit 62 mph in 2.0 seconds flat. It is more affordable than the Hyper SSR and will be priced at around 1 million yuan (~$140,000) when it goes on sale.
Watch: BYD YangWang U9 Electric Supercar’s Brakes Glow Like Lava In Track Test
Geely’s Zeekr range is also getting in on the action, releasing a high-performance version of the 001 dubbed the FR and developed with the help of ex-Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen. The MG Cyberster is also another compelling electric sports car from China.
Nikkei Asia notes that China’s EV market is now following a similar trajectory to that of the Japanese automotive market in the 1960s when a sea of sports cars were released after affordable, mainstream models started to become commonplace. If this is indeed the case then EV enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to out of China.
BYD YangWang U9