Skyworth Group, a Chinese company primarily known for its home appliances, invaded the automotive market two years ago and introduced a facelifted version of its Skyworth EV6 SUV this summer. Starting today, the vehicle is also available as a range-extender hybrid priced from the equivalent of US$ 21,200.
On the outside, the EV6 HT-i has a
distinct radiator grille that lets you tell it apart from its fully electric
cousin. Depending on your chosen trim level, the logo on the nose can be an
image or the word ‘Skyworth’, but the differences end there. The interiors are
completely identical between the electric and hybrid variants, with a 12.3-inch
digital dash and a 12.8-inch infotainment screen installed in both.
The powertrain is where things go
differently. An electric motor mounted on the front axle produces 176 PS and 300 Nm of torque. A 1.5-liter, naturally aspirated
petrol engine assists it with 110 PS and 135 Nm of
its own when rapid acceleration is needed. The rest of the time, the engine
generates more power for the traction battery on board, which is available in
two sizes – 21.7 and 32.8 kilowatt-hours. The WLTP-rated electric driving range
amounts to 80 and 200 kilometers, respectively, but fill the gas tank to the
max and you will get up to 1,267 kilometers of range.
