China currently has some of the most interesting and best-selling electric vehicles in the world. Some of the local companies are comparable to Tesla in terms of technological advancement and global sales, and there are other automakers that build machines that aren’t sold outside of China. A very good example is the HiPhi Z, which is an all-electric sedan with a futuristic shape and impressive capabilities.
Our friends from Wheeler recently had the privilege of testing the Z (nothing to do with the Nissan Z) and their video is attached at the top of this page. Below you will find an exclusive gallery shared with Motor1.com, showing a vehicle that looks like a sedan from the year 2030 or beyond. And no, it’s not a concept car but a production vehicle that you can actually buy. China for about $88,000 at the current exchange rate.
13 Pictures
The sci-fi exterior hides first-class technologies. These include standard air suspension, a rear steering system, rear LED lights displaying messages when the car is parked, power operated doors (with a showoff mode), a rotating and tilting center display on the dashboard, etc. But wait, that’s not the most impressive thing about the HiPhi Z.
The model’s electric powertrain uses two electric motors, one for each wheel, with a total output of more than 600 horsepower and 605 pound-feet (820 Newton-meters) of torque. That’s enough power to propel the sedan to 62 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds despite the giant 120 kilowatt-hour battery in the floor. On the NEDC cycle, which is considerably more generous than the EPA and WLTP ranges, the car should be able to travel up to 438 miles (705 kilometers) on a single charge.
There is more good news, however. The Z is not only fast, but according to the host, it also feels quite engaging behind the wheel. Something we don’t often say for a Chinese car – this one looks very well designed with a solid body and direct steering. “It feels like a lot of thought has gone into every aspect of it.” Color us very intrigued.
