General Motors’ Baojun E300 Relaunched As Baojun KiWi EV
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At the end of June 2020, SAIC-GM-Wuling officially launched the Baojun E300 EV as the first new-era electric vehicle from General Motors’ youngest brand in China, debuting its new logo and design language for zero-emission vehicles. Now, exactly one year later, the joint venture is relaunching the E300 as the Baojun KiWi EV.
Baojun E300 EV
SGMW just revealed the first official images of the new Baojun KiWi EV, the brand’s next fully electric offering that will replace the current E300 and will go on sale in the third quarter of this year. It’s basically the same vehicle introduced last year, but under a different name, which the automaker hopes will have a greater impact among its target audience by better harmonizing with the young and modern spirit of the minicar.
The new Baojun KiWi EV represents the second model of the Chinese brand to be renamed after only a year on the market, and that also breaks the alphanumeric naming scheme designed for Baojun’s most modern vehicle portfolio. Recently, the now-defunct RC-5W compact wagon was relaunched as the Baojun Valli due to marketing problems.
The new Baojun KiWi EV keeps the same styling as the E300 under the “interstellar geometry” design language adorning Baojun’s most modern models, which takes the uniqueness of the brand’s electric vehicles to a new level. However, the KiWi EV adopts a more striking look, with contrasting color accents that highlight its exterior appearance and give it a greater sense of customization.
Ditto for the interior, where the Baojun KiWi EV retains the general format of its predecessor, but adds a special 3D woven texture trim on the upper portion of the dashboard and on the door panels. In addition, more color combinations will be available for the cabin, along with embroidered leather seats and a one-touch entry/exit handle to make life easier for rear-seat occupants.
The new Baojun KiWi EV will officially launch in China before the end of the third quarter, when details on trim levels, features and pricing will be announced. The vehicle is expected to have a bolder presence than the outgoing Baojun E300, which failed to stand out in the Chinese market, not to mention being totally overshadowed by its best-selling relative, the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV.
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Wow, that is ugly.
Remember, this is a city/urban, purpose built for city speeds and short trips. It would be a real challenge to streamline a four passenger, short wheelbase vehicle and not end up with a box format.
I accept that boxy is necessary for such a vehicle, that’s not the ugly part of it. It’s the bizarre collection of shapes and colors all over it, especially the ‘face’.
Don, Take a look at APTERA if you want to see streamlined entry level all electric with solar panels. They are a “start up”, prototype stage, searching for funding. Come on GM, Ford, Stellantis take a risk and help them reach limited production———Made in USA!!!
Interesting vehicle. I question the claim of “never charge” — i.e., that it can produce enough electricity from the solar panels on the vehicle to run endlessly. I know Elon considered putting solar panels on the Tesla and concluded a day’s worth of charging would only add a few hours of driving, so concluded it wasn’t worth it. Now, a Tesla is surely much heavier and less aerodynamic than the Aptera, but still it provides some insight to how much power can be generated from the sun via solar panels. I.e., not much.
The purpose of the Aptera seems to be the opposite of the one in the article. One is city driving, the other highway. Highway is the only place where aerodynamics are a benefit. And it’s just two person with a small cargo area. Now, for 95% of our driving that’s probably fine. But for the other 5% it would be a big problem. So, a person would need multiple vehicles to make it work.
I doubt it’s comfortable on the highway. Wind noise likely is extremely low, but the low profile tires and super light weight likely translates into a rough ride over bumps. And that could be a big problem, if its primary purpose is long distance highway driving.
Still, it’s an interesting vehicle, especially if the cost can be kept low.
Aptera makes it clear that the claim of no grid charging would only apply to the most expensive model, $45,900 which would have solar panels on the hood, roof and trunk areas and only if you drove 40 to 50 miles daily and parked it all day in bright sunshine, so there are plenty of restrictions to the claim. The base model at $25900 has a range of 250 miles and solar panels on the hood only and the never charge “endlessly” does not apply to the base model. I don’t view the Aptera as a highway cruiser but it is nice to know that if you wish you can cruise at highway speeds or use it as an economical gopher vehicle that will probably draw a crowd.
Appreciate the additional info on “never charge”.
Well, if it’s primarily imagined as a city vehicle, then I don’t get the emphasis on maximum aerodynamics. And the small cargo area.
But agreed it will attract a crowd, and be fun because of how unique it is.
Now that’s a looker, bring the Baojun here please!
I agree for GM to sell it in the U.S. but it has to fulfill all Federal safety standards.
My question is twofold: What happened to the E300PLUS with almost 200 miles of range?
What kind of safety standards does the Chinese government require?
All it needs is a beak on the front and a butthole out back for good measure then it’s the Angry Birds EV. I like it.
What the HELL is dat? Does it go forward or backward?
It could be a descendent of the 1951 Studebaker with modern electric and solar components!