China’s burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) sedan segment welcomed the ArcFox αS5, the latest offering from ArcFox, a dedicated EV brand under BAIC, which debuted over the weekend.
Measuring 4,820 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and 1,480 mm in height, with a 2,900 mm wheelbase, the ArcFox αS5 boasts a sleek and aerodynamic exterior, achieving an exceptionally low drag coefficient of 0.1925 Cd. Positioned as a mid-size electric car, it competes directly with the BYD Seal and is available in three trims: 560Max, 708Max, and 650Ultra.
In its 560Max configuration, the ArcFox αS5 is equipped with a basic 65 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack and a permanent magnet synchronous motor generating 185 kW and 360 Nm of torque. This variant accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in seven seconds, reaches a top speed of 180 kph, and offers a CLTC range of 560 km. Charging the battery pack to full capacity at 7 kW via an AC charger requires 11.3 hours, while a DC charger can charge from 30% to 80% in a maximum of 23 minutes.
The 708Max and 650Ultra trims feature a larger 79.2 kWh ternary lithium battery pack sourced from CATL, with an operating voltage of 800 volts. Charging the advanced battery pack to full capacity at 7 kW through an AC charger takes 12.9 hours, while a DC charger can charge from 30% to 80% in about 17 minutes.
The 708Max variant also upgrades to a higher-power permanent magnet synchronous motor, producing 200 kW and 360 Nm of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 6.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 180 kph. It offers a range of up to 708 km on a full charge, as per CLTC standards.
The 650Ultra trim offers all-wheel drive capability through a combination of a permanent magnet synchronous motor and an asynchronous motor. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.7 seconds, with a maximum speed of 180 kph.
Externally, the ArcFox αS5 features a fast-sloping roofline, frameless doors, 19-inch alloy wheels, flush deployable door handles, and an automatically extending rear spoiler, with paint options including Nebula Pink, Vision White, ArcFox White, Ice Gray, and Diamond Black.
Inside, a minimalist interior exudes luxury, complemented by a 256-color interactive ambient lighting system. The car features a 68-inch augmented reality heads-up display (AR-HUD) and a 15.6-inch float touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for a traditional instrument cluster. The front seats offer 6-way power adjustment for the driver and 4-way for the passenger, along with memory, ventilation, and heating functions.
The ArcFox αS5 is priced at 176,800 yuan (22,690 euros) in the 560Max trim, 196,800 yuan (25,257 euros) in the 708Max trim, and 216,800 yuan (27,824 euros) in the 650Ultra trim.
