2020 Auto Expo: GWM R1 EV debuts in India

KUALA LUMPUR: Great Wall Motors is surely not among the most popular automobile brands in India. Hence, the Chinese SUV and pickup truck maker debuts in the country via the Auto Expo 2020 by showcasing the world’s most affordable electric vehicle.

Dubbed as the GWM R1, the EV has a very quirky and unconventional design to showcase. It is touted to be a small hatchback with its silhouette even smaller than the Suzuki Celerio. Up at the front, it has rounded headlamps and a dual-tone face. However, despite the small appearance, the EV hatch has a myriad of features, including voice commands, a 9-inch infotainment system display, reverse parking sensors with camera, ABS and autonomous emergency braking system.

At the heart, the electric motor gets all its energy from a 28.5kWh/33kWh battery pack. This battery is enabled with fast charging and can be charged up to 80% in just 40 minutes. The electric motor attached to the battery can churn out a maximum power of 48 PS and a maximum torque of 125 Nm. Moreover, it can clock up to a top speed of 102 kmph, which would give the Mahindra e20 Plus a run for its money.

Great Wall Motors is not operational in India yet and is set to kick its establishment by 2021 and the first car to be on the cards is the Haval H6. This R1 electric hatchback might also be launched around the same time.

Here, in the Malaysian market, GWM operates as Haval and has three models on sale already - Haval H1, Haval H2, and Haval H9. However, there is no such official news about the R1 EV for the domestic market yet and we will have to wait for a confirmation from Haval Malaysia.

Also Read:  GWM Haval H9 full-size SUV revealed at Auto Expo 2020