The Guangzhou-based new energy vehicle brand may be an unfamiliar name to most, but the companies behind it will be. Established by GAC Group (GAC) and Nio in 2018 as GAC-Nio New Energy Technology, the JV was originally supposed to introduce Hycan as a brand within the partnership, but a significant take up in the company by Pearl River Investment and Nio’s scaling down of its stake in 2021 (it exited fully from the JV a year later) saw the company being renamed to Hycan.
Hycan has currently appointed a Malaysian company called Concept Fields as the general agent for the brand, not just for Malaysia but the international market as well. According to Concept Fields’ executive director Hua Tai Wan, the company will be responsible for the import, sales and after-sales for Hycan products locally as well as across various left-hand drive and right-hand drive markets, including the Middle East and Africa.
Hua told paultan.org that Concept Fields signed a formal cooperation agreement with Hycan in China earlier this year, with a follow-up MoU expected to be inked here sometime in October. As for the products, they are due in sometime in February or March next year, with three full-electric models slated for our market, these being the Z03 SUV, the A06/A06 Plus sedans and the V09 MPV.
According to Hua, the first batch will consist of CBU units, but this is anticipated to switch to CKD local assembly from around April. The company said it is currently negotiating with various companies to explore assembly options, and said it will disclose which company it will cooperate with at a later date. He added that Hycan is presently working on the conversion from LHD to RHD for the incoming models.
Here’s a quick run-through of what’s heading our way. The Z03 SUV is a C-segment offering measuring in at 4,602 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,645 mm tall, with a 2,750 mm-long wheelbase. The five-seater EV is equipped with a front-mounted electric motor, and two different power output versions are available, the first offering 183 PS (135 kW) and the second, 217 PS (160 kW), with torque being identical for both at 225 Nm.
According to data from the website, three battery capacities are available for the Z03, in this case 55.5 kWh, 63.98 kWh and 76.8 kWh, offering the SUV a travel range of up to 430 km, 510 km and 620 km (all based on China’s CLTC test standards) respectively. With DC fast charging (the manufacturer didn’t disclose charging rates), it takes 36 mins to get the 55.5 and 63.98 kWh batteries from a 30 to 80% SoC, while the 76.8 kWh battery needs 45 minutes.
Specification-wise, the Z03 is equipped with 17 or 18-inch wheels as standard in its domestic market, and standard kit includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument, a 14.6-inch central screen, a panoramic sunroof, a V2L reverse power supply function, an electric tailgate, a mobile phone wireless charging panel and an in-car karaoke entertainment system. In China, prices range from RMB 134,800 to RMB 182,800 (RM82,000 to RM111,000).
As for the V09, it’s a pure electric luxury seven-seater MPV. At 5,215 mm long, 1,967 mm wide and 1,910 mm tall, with a 3,170 mm-long wheelbase, the V09 is longer and wider than the latest Toyota Alphard. Its official price in China ranges from RMB 318,800 to RMB 438,800 (RM194,000 to RM266,000).
Highlights include two independently-adjustable boss seats for the middle row (making for a 2+2+3 seating configuration) and powered sliding rear doors on both sides. Lots in the way of digital screens, from the 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 14.6-inch central touchscreen to a 12.3-inch front passenger screen and a 17.3-inch screen for the rear passengers.
Finally, the A06/A06 Plus sedans. Despite the naming convention, the A06 Plus is the cheaper of the duo, priced from RMB 139,800 (RM85,000) compared to the A06, which is priced from between RMB 179,800 to RMB 269,800 (RM109,000 to RM164,000). In terms of dimensions, the A06 Plus measures in at 4,945 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,520 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. The A06 is marginally longer by 20 mm, according to data gleaned from the carmaker’s website.
The more expensive A06 has FWD (standard and extended range) and AWD options as well as two battery capacities (63 kWh and 71 kWh), these offering a CLTC range of 550 to 630 km respectively. Output from the standard front-wheel drive version is 183 PS (135 kW) and 225 Nm, while the extended-range FWD version has 217 PS (160 kW) and 225 Nm of twist.
As for the four-wheel drive version, an additional motor on the rear axle brings total output to 462 PS (340 kW) and 534 Nm. As you’d expect, the extra translates to a rapid sprint time, with the 0-100 km/h run done in 3.9 seconds. Regardless of the battery capacity, the manufacturer claims that the A06 can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 36 minutes.
GALLERY: Hycan Z03 SUV
GALLERY: Hycan V09 MPV
GALLERY: Hycan A06 sedan
GALLERY: Hycan A06 Plus sedan
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