At the Helm of the New Chinese Electric Car Designed in Milan: GAC Aion UT

GAC Aion UT

GAC has chosen the backdrop of Milan, the capital of design, for the European debut of its second 100% electric proposal: the Aion UT. This hatchback is born under the strategy "In Europe, for Europe": a car designed for the tastes of the Old Continent, developed at the design center on Via Tortona in Milan, and produced in Magna’s facilities in Graz, Austria. This approach marks GAC's transition from a simple exporter to a localized manufacturer, aiming to respond more quickly to the dynamics of our market.

Engine and Battery: LFP Efficiency and 204 HP of Excitement

Under the hood, the Aion UT hides a solid and balanced technical architecture. The permanent magnet motor delivers 150 kW (204 HP) with a torque of 210 Nm, delivered to the front wheels. This package allows the vehicle to cover the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 160 km/h.

Regarding energy, GAC relies on a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery known as Magazine 2.0, with a net capacity of 60 kWh (62 kWh gross). The declared range in the combined WLTP cycle is 430 km, which increases to an impressive 620 km in urban cycles, where electric vehicles perform at their best. The charging front is also interesting: the onboard AC charger supports up to 11 kW (full charge in about 6 hours and 50 minutes), while in direct current (DC), power reaches 87 kW, allowing charging from 30% to 80% in 24 minutes. It also features Vehicle to Load (V2L) functionality to power external devices up to 3.3 kW.

Dimensions and Space: A Compact with Sedan-like Roominess

Despite a length contained at 4,270 mm, the Aion UT boasts a generous wheelbase of 2,750 mm. This figure is critical as it translates into an interior space comparable to that of a midsize sedan, offering ample legroom for rear passengers. Even with the driver’s seat set for a tall person, those in the back seat have generous leg space.

Practicality is one of the strengths of the design:

Trunk: The capacity is 440 liters with the seats in use, but can extend to 1,600 liters by folding down the rear seats.
External dimensions: Width of 1,850 mm (without mirrors) and height of 1,575 mm.
Agility: The turning radius is only 5.35 meters, making city maneuvers particularly simple.

Driving Impressions: Urban Agility and Intuitive Technology

We drove the Aion UT starting from the Porta Genova area in Milan, headed towards Malpensa Airport, but without using the highway. This allowed us to evaluate the car in urban and suburban settings, with stretches of heavy traffic or in the outskirts. We tested the excellent take-off from a standstill, thanks to the over 200 HP, as well as the responsiveness of the regenerative braking. The pedal response is quick and creates a man-machine connection, ideal for city traffic.

Notably, the driving control is with a steering wheel lever, which remains the most convenient and fast solution. The organization of the steering wheel buttons is also commendable, closely resembling that of Tesla. With just a few buttons and knobs, one can manage everything from multimedia control to ADAS; why complicate things? The same can be said for the infotainment and main controls, all handled by the 14.6-inch touchscreen, which makes extensive use of quick shortcuts to minimize distraction. Apple CarPlay (full screen) can be activated from an always-present icon.

The interiors feature excellent touch materials, and the European-style design is evident. The lines are not excessive, although refined, with attention to assembly and quality perception. The seats are excellent, supportive, and just rigid enough, with effective ventilation (available on the Luxury trim), very useful on a sunny day in Milan. Consumption has remained between 14 and 15 kWh per 100 km for an extended period, but more complex tests will be needed to evaluate this aspect. The feeling is that with one charge, about 400 km can be covered without major issues.

Market and Prices

The Aion UT will initially debut in Finland, Greece, Poland, and Portugal, before reaching other European markets during the third quarter of the year. The starting price is set at €27,990, a decidedly competitive figure considering the technological equipment, the 60 kWh battery, and the 8-year or 160,000 km warranty, which extends to 8 years and 200,000 km for the battery (with a minimum of 70% state of health).