In a move that almost nobody in Malaysia expected (there wasn’t even a teaser on any of the brand’s social pages!), WTC Automotif (WTCA) has launched the GAC Aion ES at the 2024 Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS 2024).
Offered in a single variant priced at RM106,800, the GAC Aion ES is now the cheapest electric sedan currently on sale in Malaysia… not that there were many options before. For that price, you’ll also be getting an eight-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty and eight-year/200,000 km EV battery and drive system warranty, as well as a free 7 kW AC home wallbox charger worth RM3,500, the latter part of its launch promo.
Despite its RM107k price tag, the Aion ES is actually one of the largest in the C-segment market, measuring 4,810 mm long, 1,880 mm wide, and 1,545 mm tall, with a wheelbase spanning 2,750 mm.
It’s powered by a single motor on the front axle pushing out 136 hp (100 kW) and 225 Nm, juiced by a 55.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. Driving range is rated at 442 km (NEDC), but no other performance figures were quoted.
The GAC Aion ES has a fairly minimalist and inoffensive look, so much so that it has been adopted into taxi police fleets in various countries worldwide. In terms of equipment, you’ll find the “Flowing Arc” LED headlights, the “Laser Blade” LED full-width tail lights, LED daytime-running lights, front and rear LED fog lamps, as well as 17-inch alloys wrapped in 215/55 rubber.
Inside, the basic – if not outdated – dashboard houses an eight-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay connectivity, alongside an anologue instrument cluster with 3.5-inch LCD multi-info display, as well as a touch-sensitive control panel for the two-zone climate control.
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The seats are manually controlled with six-way adjustments for the driver and four-way for the front passenger, and wrapped in leatherette upholstery. Rear aircon vents are standard here, as is the the powered boot lid that opens up to 450 litres of space.
Other interior appointments include a rotary gear selector, auto-dim rear-view mirror, one-touch power windows (up and down for driver; down only for front passenger), a reverse camera, as well as only a conventional cruise control system.
No advanced driver assistance features here, and you’ll only get two airbags, but that is somewhat expected given the car’s selling price. The GAC Aion ES is available in three exterior colours here in Malaysia: Glamour Black, Holographic Silver, and Pure White, all paired to a black interior.
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