GAC Motors has announced its intention to beat Tesla
by unveiling the new Aion S at the Guangzhou Motor Show. Set to be launched in China next
year, the Aion S is an electric sedan that has been designed to provide
customers with Tesla-like performance at a “reasonable price.”
GAC was tight-lipped about specifics, but the model
features an aerodynamic exterior with a drag coefficient of 0.245. The company
says this is roughly the same as the Tesla Model 3. Besides being extremely aerodynamic,
the Aion S features a fairly conventional front fascia with a slender grille
that is flanked by LED headlights.
Moving further back, the Aion S has stylish wheels and
an available solar roof. The model also has LED taillights and black accents
that cut through the C-pillars. While GAC didn’t mention performance specifications, the company
confirmed the car will have a range in excess of 310 miles (500 km). The model will
also have a “body stability system” from Bosch and Level 2 semi-autonomous
driving technology. Speaking of the latter, the Aion S will have automatic
parking assistance, cruise assistance and traffic congestion assistance.
While some may doubt GAC’s ability to tackle Tesla,
the company defended their ambitions by saying they have spent the last decade
mastering “five core technologies” including batteries, motors, control units,
systems integration and electro-mechanical coupling systems.
It remains to be seen if the company will achieve
its goal, but GAC has previously said it intends to begin U.S. sales next year.
