Byton is still a very young competitor in the fierce
world of electric vehicle startups, but it has serious funding and some lofty
goals. The company unveiled its first concept at the start of the year in
the form of an attractive crossover. This vehicle has since been followed up by
an all-electric sedan concept that will hit the market in 2021.
Hot on the heels of securing a US$ 500 million
investment, Byton is planning big things, including entries into both the North
American and European markets. During an interview with Autocar, the company’s chief vehicle
engineer David Twohig spoke about Byton’s plans.
Byton isn’t the first EV company to make such bold
predictions. However, the startup believes it has economies of scale working in
its favor to ensure its longevity and prove it to be a rival to Tesla.
Byton’s crossover, the M-Byte, will be introduced
next year. The entry-level model will utilize a single 268 hp electric motor
driving the rear wheels and a 71 kWh battery providing up to 400 km of range. A more expensive model with four-wheel drive, two electric motors and
469 hp will also be offered. This variant will use a 95 kWh battery and be
capable of travelling 500 km on a single charge.
