The Chery eQ1 EV Is What Mercedes-Benz Is Up Against In China
Chery has launched the eQ1 electric car on the Chinese market, just days after the company filed a trademark complaint against Mercedes-Benz. The Germans want to use the EQ name for an EV-sub brand, but Chery has been using the eQ EV brand since 2014. Their first car was the eQ and now we have the new eQ1.
The eQ1, formerly known as the S51, is a somewhat trendy mini hatchback aimed at young car buyers living in the big cities. Price is surely very attractive, the range starts at just 49.800 yuan and ends at 99.800 yuan ($7240-14.516), and that includes all green car subsidies.
Power comes from an electric motor mated to a lithium ion battery with 41 horses and 120 Nm, good for a 100 km/h top speed and a range of 180 kilometers. Charging takes six hours on 220V and 1.5 hours for 80% on a fast-charger.
Size: 3200/1670/1550, and wheelbase is 2150.
The interior is funky to the max with orange seats, and orange dash, a digital instrument panel and a large 10 inch touch screen.
It has a rev counter going to 8000 rpm. That is ultra cool.
The infotainment system comes with wifi, a trip computer, and a reversing camera.
The trip computer in action, graphics look great.
A trendy drive-selector knob with the Chery badge on top.
See, Mercedes? That’s eQ, in blue. Blue is the color of green in China.
The eQ1 has only two seats which leaves a decent space for the beer.
White roof and a red body. Roof rails look large enough to attach a canoe to. Rear window is narrow and rear lights are small. Bumper lights are very sharp.
The Chery eQ1. Over to you, Mercedes-Benz…
