Exclusive: How to drive the AIWAYS U5
FIRST TEST Good news from China: electric mobility for everyone is coming! AutoSprintCH employee Jürgen Zöllter experienced in a battery-electric SUV that the headline is not empty propaganda. Chinese manufacturers are planning to push into the automotive compact and mid-size classes with electric vehicles worthy of the price. To date, this has been a promise made of smoke and mirrors. But as of now, the price starts at around 40,000 [...]
Chinese manufacturers are planning to make inroads into the compact and mid-size car segment with affordable electric vehicles. Until now, this has been a promise made of smoke and mirrors. But from now on, it will actually start at around 40,000 francs!
Deliveries from September
From mid-June, the first EV from China can be ordered, and it will be delivered from September. From an industry newcomer that didn't even exist five years ago, of all things.
The U5 is launching in the VW Tiguan Allspace segment. AIWAYS thinks far beyond pure vehicle construction, as the systems already demonstrate in the U5. For example, in the power management of the drive unit.
Center console with rotary switch
With our foot over the brake pedal, we power up the electronic systems. There is no starter button. Quiet spherical sounds and a dance of the stars on the cockpit and central display shorten the waiting time.
We read Ready, but hear nothing. We know the rotary switch in the center console from Jaguar. We select drive mode D, stroke the accelerator pedal, and after a creaky release of the parking brake, the U5 begins to roll.
1750 kilos weight and 315 Nm
The 1750-kilo Aiways gets going on a spirited push to the right. Light-footed up to 60 km/h, while 315 Nm of torque are enough to blow away mid-range burners. After leaving town, the U5 takes a more restrained approach.
In the end, the sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h only takes less than ten seconds, and it ends at 160 km/h on the highway. That's good!
The AIWAYS U5 is powered by an e-synchronous motor on the front axle that revs up to 10,600 rpm. It silently provides up to 125 kW (170 hp). This is enough for family-friendly driving performance with an acceptable range.
Patented sandwich structure
A lightweight 63-kWh battery module weighing 359 kilograms in the aluminum underbody supplies the power. The sandwich structure developed by the manufacturer with integrated water cooling operates at 347 volts.
The promise to travel more than 400 kilometers (WLPT cycle) on one battery charge is supported by an algorithm-controlled power management system. The self-learning system allocates power according to driving style.
We interrupt our journey after 346 kilometers to recharge. The charge level is still eight percent.
Gliding along is a quality
The U5's confident gliding is a quality that not all competitors share. In the Far East SUV, it decelerates if you trust the assistance systems. The U5 has many of them on board as standard.
Rolling comfort: good! Only the rear axle does not like short bumps. Wind noise: almost absent up to 100 km/h. Steering: direct, but too numb.
Modulable load change responses
Three driving modes, three recuperation levels: In Sport mode, the U5 kicks in spontaneously. But who wants to snatch the tablets out of their children's hands?
We prefer Eco and energy recovery in medium because the load change reactions modulated via the accelerator pedal then occur harmoniously and with maximum efficiency.
First service after 100,000 kilometers
The rear legroom is unique in this vehicle class and follows the desire of many Chinese to create a miniature living room in the rear. There is room here for numerous stacking boxes, handle bottles and handkerchief dispensers. You can see more details in the gallery.
The clear, simple, but by no means cheap-looking dashboard and numerous storage compartments also reflect the pragmatism that is pronounced in China.
And the extended maintenance intervals: The first service is only due after 100,000 kilometers. Irregularities in between are ironed out via over-the-air software updates. As a rule, the customer doesn't notice any of this.
Face recognition via camera
The identity search also leads to two cameras. One in the A-pillar on the left is directed at the driver to identify him via facial recognition and move the seat, steering wheel and mirrors to his favorite position, set the air conditioning and favorite music.
The second camera above the rearview mirror looks at the rear seat and informs the central display whether there are children arguing or the baby's bottle has fallen out of his hand - without the driver having to turn around.
The spacious passenger compartment and practical range at an affordable price are the main strengths of the new U5.
Photo: Daniel Kraus
ai-ways.eu
