The Chinese manufacturer Wuling, to whom we owe one of the best-selling electric cars in the world, unveils its new city car, called Bingo. And despite its tiny size, the electric car is very practical thanks to a trunk optimized for transport. All at an equally low price.
If you don’t necessarily know Wuling, there is still a good chance that you have already heard of it, especially if you are a loyal Frandroid reader. And for good reason, it is the brand that markets the Hongguang Mini EV, which was the best-selling electric car in the world for certain months of the year, in 2021, before the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y quickly regained the upper hand.
A very practical city car
Well now the company, which also sells its city car in Europe through the Lithuanian importer Dartz, is now expanding its range with another model intended for the city. This is the adorable Wuling Bingo, an electric city car which we had already mentioned very briefly a few weeks earlier. At that time, the manufacturer had not yet unveiled the interior of his new arrival.
It is now done, as shown on the brand’s website. The opportunity to discover a modern and rather complete driving position, with a pleasing presentation to the eye. The Wuling Bingo is equipped with a large digital panel which reminds us of that of the BMW i4 as well as the Honda E. This is divided into two 10.25-inch screens each, while the center one hosts the Ling OS infotainment system.
Showing a total length of 3.95 meters, the city car is slightly larger than its European rival, the Dacia Spring. The 2.56 meter wheelbase is quite reasonable, but it shouldn’t be ideal for carrying rear-seat passengers comfortably on long trips. However, this Wuling Bingo actually hides its game very well, as shown by photos published by the Chinese site It Home.
Indeed, the city car proves to be very practical, since it is fitted with numerous accessories allowing it to accommodate numerous belongings in a trunk whose volume is displayed at 790 liters all the same, folding the seats. In addition to large removable boxes, the car is also equipped, as an option, with hooks integrated into the tailgate for hanging clothes as well asa tray for storing dishes. Ideal for outings in the countryside, especially since the car can also be equipped with a custom-designed inflatable mattress.
A reduced price
Rival of the Leapmotor T03 and the Dacia Spring as well as the new Jiangnan U2 recently unveiled in China, this Wuling Bingo is available in several versions. It is thus possible to choose between 17.3 kWh and 31.9 kWh batteries, offering a range of between 203 and 333 kilometers according to the Chinese CLTC cycle. Which more or less corresponds to 172 and 283 WLTP kilometers. The Dacia Spring can travel up to 230 kilometers in its Extreme version.
Two power levels are also offered, namely 30 kW (about 41 horsepower) and 50 kW (equivalent to 68 horsepower). This allows it to get closer to the Romanian electric city car, which develops between 44 and 65 horsepower depending on the version. It is necessary to count 35 minutes to go from 10 to 80%while the charging power was not communicated.
Manufactured by the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture created by SAIC and the American manufacturer General Motors, this new Wuling Bingo will be launched at the end of March. The price has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be between 70,000 and 100,000 yuan, which is equivalent to 9,546 and 13,638 euros. An affordable price, which could rise sharply if the city car was launched in France. It would compete head-on with the Spring, which starts from 20,800 euros, excluding the ecological bonus of 5,000 euros.
If it is not yet planned that this newcomer will be sold with us, this cannot be excluded, while many brands such as MG, Nio or even BYD and Xpeng are already trying their luck. What worries some specialists very strongly…
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