BAW’s Yuanbao to hit market in June to take on Hongguang MINIEV

Shanghai (Gasgoo)-Chinese automaker Beijing Automobile Works Co., Ltd. (“BAW”) on Wednesday kicked off presale of an all-new mini all-electric vehicle model, named “Yuanbao”.

Presale prices of the model range from 34,900 to 49,900 yuan ($5,160-7,380). According to BAW, the order volume of the Yuanbao topped 9,000 units in only 24 hours after the presale started.

The model is about to formally hit the market in mid-June this year to vie with the Hongguang MINIEV and the Chery QQ Ice Cream.

In Chinese, yuanbao refers to the shoe-shaped silver/gold ingots that once served as currency in the country. The automaker here used this name to highlight the vehicle's cute styling.

BAW Yuanbao; photo credit: BAW

The new BEV model's body features a boxy shape. At the front, there is a closed-off grille which is flanked by a pair of oval LED headlights. The polygonal taillight cluster makes the rear look very recognizable.

The Yuanbao measures 3,162mm long, 1,498mm wide, and 1,585mm tall with a wheelbase that spans 2,050mm.

BAW Yuanbao; photo credit: BAW

The model has a concisely designed interior. A 10.25-inch console-mounted screen coupled with a two-spoke flat bottomed steering wheel helps vitalize the cockpit's ambience.

As for intelligent features, the 10.25-inch screen integrates multiple functions like smartphone connectivity, multimedia, radio, WIFI, Bluetooth, navigation, road condition display, air-conditioning control, as well as voice interaction. Besides, the Yuanbao also carries front/rear parking sensors and 360-degree panoramic display capability.

Powering the vehicle is an electric motor that is good for 85 N·m, paired with a 13.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack.