HiPhi's first model, the HiPhi X, starts at RMB 800,000 ($125,600) for the four-seat version. By comparison, Nio's hot-selling Nio ES6 starts at RMB 358,000.

(Image credit: HiPhi)

HiPhi, the homegrown Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand with a starting price of up to RMB 800,000 ($125,600), delivered 763 vehicles in November, up 51 percent from 504 units in October, according to figures released yesterday.

Cumulative deliveries of the brand's first model, HiPhi X, have exceeded 3,300 units since deliveries began in mid-May, with 2,805 units delivered from July to November, it said.

(Graphic by CnEVPost)

HiPhi, a brand owned by Chinese electric vehicle company Human Horizons, unveiled the first HiPhi model in October 2020, which officially began deliveries in May.

Local Chinese car brands have been focusing on cars priced below RMB 200,000. With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle industry in China, startups including Nio, Li Auto, and Xpeng Motors are trying to enter the higher-priced market.

Among them, Nio is the car company with the most significant success in the high-end market in China, with its hot-selling model, the Nio ES6, starting at RMB 358,000 and the higher-priced Nio ES8 SUV starting at RMB 468,000.

In contrast, Human Horizons is more ambitious, with the HiPhi X starting at RMB 570,000 for the six-seat version and up to RMB 800,000 for the four-seat version.

HiPhi X is positioned as a supercar SUV with dimensions of 5,200/2,062/1,618 mm and a wheelbase of 3,150 mm.

The car's electric suction door locks can be automatically unlocked by face recognition through the camera on the B-pillar.

HiPhi X center console has a 14.6-inch LCD instrument, 16.9-inch central touch screen, and 19.9-inch passenger entertainment display.

In terms of power, HiPhi X is equipped with two electric motors at the front and rear with a maximum power of 220V and peak torque of 410 N-m. It has a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.9 seconds.

Its battery pack has a capacity of 97 kWh and an NEDC range of 550 km.

Chinese firm releases a car that costs more than NIO ES8, will the market buy it?

(Image credit: HiPhi)