The model from Wuling is not similar to BYD's PHEVs, but is a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), which is considered an ICE vehicle in China.

(Image credit: Wuling)

SAIC-GM Wuling, the maker of the hot-selling Mini EV, officially unveiled its hybrid model, after announcing its entry into the segment last month.

Wuling today announced the launch of the hybrid version of the Xingchen SUV, offering two models priced at RMB 99,800 ($14,600) and RMB 109,800, respectively.

It is worth noting that the model is not similar to BYD's plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, but is a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) model.

HEVs use a conventional gasoline engine and electric motor as the power source, and because it comes with two power units, the price is usually higher than that of a regular fuel car.

They cannot be charged like PHEVs and are classified as internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in China, and are not eligible for incentives including subsidies and exclusive license plates for new energy vehicles (NEVs).

For consumers, such vehicles are more fuel-efficient than the same ICE vehicles, saving money on their use.

The Xingchen HEV's motor has a peak power of 320 Nm and a maximum discharge power of more than 100 kW, according to Wuling.

The model is powered by a 2.0 L engine with a maximum thermal efficiency of 41 percent. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 km/h in 3.2 seconds, Wuling said, without announcing the more common 0 to 100 km/h acceleration performance.

The model has a combined fuel consumption of 5.7 L per 100 km and can drive up to 1,100 km in the city on a full tank of gas, the company said.

It is driven by an electric motor at low speeds and directly by the engine at high speeds, the company said.

The Xingchen HEV measures 4,594 mm in length, 1,820 mm in width and 1,740 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,750 mm.

SAIC-GM-Wuling is a joint venture between SAIC Group, General Motors and Liuzhou Wuling Automobile, headquartered in Liuzhou in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

It sells vehicles based on the GSEV (Global Small Electric Vehicle) architecture, including the Mini EV, KiWi EV and Nano EV, all priced below RMB 100,000.

On August 8, the company announced it had surpassed 1 million NEV sales, becoming the second Chinese car company to reach that milestone after BYD.

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