This is the all new Arcfox Lite, one of the most
significant electric cars to hit the Chinese car market this year. Because: it is not based on a petrol powered car, like 99% of all the other Chinese EVs. It is positioned as a ‘premium mini EV’, stepping away from the cheap-ass
EVs that all the other car makers make.
It is the first car of the Arcfox brand, which
will make only electric cars. It is using rather advanced materials to keep
it light. It is loaded to the max with tech. It looks genuinely great and
cool. It has LED displays fore and aft where the driver and the passenger
can display their own massages.The display can display Chinese characters, the
Western alphabet, graphics, and emoticons.
The Arcfox brand is owned by BJEV, and that in turn
in a subsidiary of the Beijing Auto Industry Corporation (BAIC), commonly know
as Beijing Auto. The brand is aimed at young hipsters living in big cities.
Later on Arcfox will launch car sharing schemes. Right now however it is a buy
only. Price after-subsidies starts at 93,800 yuan and ends at 106,800 yuan
(US$ 14,160 – 16,122).
Power comes from an electric motor with 49 hp and
120 Nm, mated to a not-too powerful 16.4 KWh battery. The motor is located over
the front axle, the batteries below the floor. Range is 170 kilometers and top
speed 110 km/h. Charging on a fast charger takes just half an hour (to 80%
battery). On 220V is takes 6.5 hours. Dimension size : 2986/1676/1492 mm, and
wheelbase is 1870 mm.
Curb weight is 895 kilo, which is light. The
technology to create this lightness is called Air Tech. ArcFox says that the
frame is made of aluminum alloy, the body from carbon fiber reinforced
composite, and the body panels from plastic. They claim a total weight saving
of 40%. They also said that the dashboard is made out of a magnesium alloy tube
beam, saving 30% weight compared with a standard dash.
