Check out Wuling’s new toy car-looking Hongguang Mini EV

Looks like the Mini EV2 X2 has a new rival in China. This Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV is the latest small electric vehicle (EV) on the market and it is cheaper and more practical than all its rivals.

As like most small cars, the boxy 3-door Wuling EV’s design is inspired by Japanese Kei-cars. Overall, the Hong Guang looks very much like a life-size toy car with its straight simple lines and a colour scheme that gives the EV the illusion of a floating roof.

Thanks to its size of 2,917 x 1,493 x 1,621 mm and a wheelbase of 1,940 mm, that is half the size of a Perodua Axia! This makes the car perfect for China’s busy streets and a breeze to park while the height of the car makes it a practical option even for older citizens. 

Although, some would find the headlamps a little too '80s classic but the larger headlamps are part of the EV’s practical design.

Based on photos, we can’t tell if the EV’s interior is plasticky as is usual for small affordable EVs like these. But from what we can see, the interior design reminds us of a Renault Zoe’s simplicity with orange accents to add a pop of colour to the silver and black interior.

When we say practical, we mean it. Despite its small dimensions, the Hong Guang’s interior sits four comfortably. The rear bench has a backrest with a 20-degree angle (more than the fourth-row seats of the new Kia Grand Carnival).

The bench can be folded down flat to reveal a 740-litre boot space, Wuling claims the boot has the ability to fit 2 large luggage bags.

The Hong Guang is offered with 2 battery capacities; 13.82 kWh and 9.2 kWh. The 13.82 kWh battery is fitted in the range-topper of the 3 variants on offer, this bigger battery is capable of a 170 km range, while the smaller battery on the other 2 variants does 120 km.

According to Chinese media, the Hong Guang’s battery comes complete with an 8-year/ 120,000 km manufacturer warranty.

But Wuling also claims that they have put the battery through stringent safety testing like overcharge, discharge, overheating, simulated collision and more.

The most advanced part of the battery is the pre-start function that warms up and maintains the battery’s temperature at 20-25 degree Celsius to achieve low-temperature charging efficiency.

What do you think? Will this start a new frenzy?