This is the new Aiways U5 Ion, a concept car
previewing an electric SUV that will hit the Chinese car market in 2019. The
company says the design of the production car won’t change a bit, bar for the
addition of real-life necessities like mirrors.
‘Aiways’ stands for ‘Ai on the way’, where AI stands
for Artificial Intelligence. The company was founded in 2017. They are based in
China with a subsidiary in Germany. They have partnered with Roland Gumpert for
the spectacular limited-edition Aiways RG electric supercar which will debut on
the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, alongside the U5 Ion.
The company has big plans; they want to
launch two new electric cars every year from 2020. Aiways says the U5 Ion has a
range of 460 kilometers. The main battery pack is located in the center under
the floor.
But drivers can extend range by leasing an
additional six battery packs. Those packs can be installed in the floor of the
luggage compartment. Changing one pack is a click-and go operation and takes
only one minute, according to Aiways.
Six battery packs together deliver an extra 20 kWh,
good for an additional 100 kilometer range, bringing the total to 560
kilometer. An interesting idea, but it is a bit hard to see the point.
It could be worthwhile of Aiways found a way to vent
these battery packs in gas stations or supermarkets. When you run out of juice
driving our Aiways, you could go to a gas station and lease some extra packs.
The U5 Ion will come with biometric technology,
owners can open the doors and start the car by face or hand palm recognition.
The interior looks very high tech with a central touch screen and a screen in
front of the driver.
