After the SUV comes the SUV coupe. The Chinese automobile manufacturer Aiways is also picking up on this trend and is presenting the sportier variant of the U5 with the U6. It differs not only in shape. He also scores with a chic shell, a successful interior and a reasonable price.
With the U6ion, the Chinese car manufacturer Aiways had already set the direction for its new crossover SUV in the spring. Now the final version of the all-electric U5 brother is on the catwalk. And in strong yellow, contrasted by black air-guiding elements on the body. The continuous glass roof and the curved rear window are also black. Compared to Aiways’ first strike, the U5, the newcomer appears much more distinctive and self-confident.
With a length of 4.80 meters, the U6 exceeds its platform brother U5 by twelve centimeters, the width of 1.88 meters varies by only one centimeter, the U6 height of 1.64 meters is six centimeters behind that of the first return. Despite the roof line sloping backwards, the rear entry does not force you to contort. In row two, even tall passengers sit decently with air upwards – and with more than just decent legroom. In the front, it is, typical of an electric car, quite spacious anyway.
A clear difference to the U5: The tailgate opens higher, headbutts can only catch people over 1.90 meters tall. Aiways specifies the trunk volume as 472 to 1260 liters, in the U5 it is 496 to 1619 liters – the chic coupé rear is noticeable here. The subwoofer also takes up some space. It is part of the standard Magnat sound system, which also comes with eleven loudspeakers and auxiliary connectivity via USB and Bluetooth.
Future U6 users will initially have to do without a frunk, i.e. additional trunk space in the front. According to Alexander Klose, the German sales manager of the company from Shanghai, which is otherwise only managed by Chinese, this is being improved and at least space for the charging cable is being created with a trough.
On the way from the U5 to the U6, the socket for charging has moved from under the left headlight to the upper rear end of the left fender. Since the same technology is largely used in both models, the U6 also charges with a comparatively modest 90 kilowatts. Ideally, the 63 kWh battery should be filled from 20 to 80 percent of its capacity in 35 minutes. With the three-phase 11 kW on-board charger, it takes seven hours from completely empty to completely full.
The WLTP range is 400 kilometers, Aiways promises an average consumption of 15.6 to 16.6 kWh per 100 kilometers. Responsible for this are the relatively low unladen weight of 1790 kilos and the drag coefficient of 0.248, which is favorable for a crossover SUV. And of course the heat pump installed as standard.
With 160 kW/218 hp, the electric motor delivers a bit more power than that in the U5, the maximum torque of 315 Nm is identical. Aiways promises acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in exactly 7.0 seconds. The top speed is limited to 160 km/h. That fits with Alexander Klose’s goal of offering a “sporty, attractive but not aggressive” Stromer with the U6. The equipment policy of Aiways is well known: There is also the newcomer either with full equipment – or with full equipment plus. “The package should convince,” says Klose. Its contents include eleven standard assistance systems.
The materials look and feel pleasant and well made. Individual design elements in the interior such as the graphically designed aluminum interior strips with the integrated ambient light for 360 different moods create an almost noble impression. An eye-catcher is the thrust lever like in an airplane. Its handle is twisted to engage forward or reverse – it actually made it out of the study and into the production line. An interesting side note: the light strips under the front side windows switch to flashing mode when the doors are open to warn following road users.
Compared to the U5, the Chinese manufacturer has prescribed a new operating concept for its second coup. The head of sales places it somewhere between Tesla and the mainstream. He considers digital round instruments, which are intended to imitate analog displays used in the past, to be simply superfluous, but he also does not want to inform the person at the steering wheel in such a minimalist way as is the case with Model 3 to Model S. That’s why there is a narrow 8.2-inch display behind the steering wheel that shows the speed, battery level, range and time.
All other displays are housed in the 14.6-inch touchscreen. Thanks to the high resolution and the latest generation of computing technology, the resolution is pin-sharp and the speed when trying out the functions as part of the first seat test is very fast. The display in the left third is designed as additional driver information and shows the vehicles in the immediate vicinity, the speed and the selected driving mode. The two remaining thirds of the touchscreen can be individually configured with a freely configurable widget. Status bars at the top and bottom of the screen allow quick access to important vehicle functions such as air conditioning.
What is also new is that the U6 will also run Android Auto in addition to Apple CarPlay from 2023. Real-time navigation can be implemented via smartphone, which, in combination with an app, enables charging stop planning to be constantly updated. This is based on real-time consumption, charge level and current occupancy of DC fast charging stations.
And when will the U6 actually be available for purchase? According to Klose, orders should still be possible in the fourth quarter of 2022, and the first deliveries are planned for early 2023. The head of sales is still holding back on the exact price. A little more than 40,000 euros after deduction of the electric car subsidy are realistic.
Aiways U6 Prime – Technische Daten