Everything we know about the 626-mile GAC Aion LX Plus as of Jan 2022

At the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show (19-28 November 2021), the GAC Aion LX Plus was presented with the headline of the world’s first electric SUV (production vehicle) with a travel range on a single charge exceeding 1,000 km (621 miles). Here is everything we know about the Aion LX Plus.

The Aion sub-brand

Aion is a sub-brand of the GAC Group specializing in electric cars and SUVs. The SUV portfolio of Aion includes the models Y, V, and LX. The LX comes in nearly 13 different variants, with single and dual motor configurations with the maximum range model promising 600 km (372 miles). The Aion LX Plus takes it a step further, as we’ve explained in the Specifications section.

GAC Aion LX Plus Specifications

The GAC Aion LX Plus is available in four variants: 80 Zhizun Edition, 80D Ultimate, 80D Max version, and Thousand Miles Edition. The Thousand Miles Edition is the attention grabber, as it’s the one offering a four-digit range.

The Aion LX Plus Thousand Miles Edition features a 144.4 kWh battery pack for its impressive range claim. It features an energy density of 205 Wh/kg (for reference, the batteries on the Tesla Model 3 have a density of 260 Wh/kg). A single motor spins the wheels, producing 180 kW and 350 Nm. A 0-100 km/h sprint takes 7.9 seconds.

Despite its 144.4 kWh capacity, the size of the battery will be similar to that of the LX’s 95 kWh battery. Courtesy of its compact dimension is GAC’s proprietary silicon sponge negative cell battery technology. The LX Plus features redesigned bumpers and LiDAR on its roof.

Using the new battery technology, and despite not going the solid-state way, GAC claims that it can achieve up to 280 Wh/kg energy density (the standard LX has a density of up to 180 Wh/kg) and reduce the size of the battery by 20 percent and weight by 14 percent. The technology replaces traditional graphite anode materials with silicon-containing anode sheet inside the battery, which GAC claims are as soft as a sponge. The development has taken over five years, according to GAC.

In addition to a compact size, low-temperature performance will also improve, and even after 1,600 charge cycles, the battery can retain 95 percent of its capacity. The silicon sponge technology was showcased at the Auto Shanghai 2021 (April 19-28, 2021).

The quickest Aion LX Plus offers a two-speed gearbox and a dual motor setup for a quick sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds.

Aspect\Specification	80 Zhizun Edition	80D Ultimate	80D Max	Thousand Miles Edition
Length	4,835 mm	4,835 mm	4,835 mm	4,835 mm
Width	1,935 mm	1,935 mm	1,935 mm	1,935 mm
Height	1,685 mm	1,685 mm	1,685 mm	1,685 mm
Wheelbase	2,920 mm	2,920 mm	2,920 mm	2,920 mm
Drivetrain Layout	2WD	4WD	4WD	2WD
Power/Torque	180 kW/350 Nm	360 kW/700 Nm	360 kW/700 Nm	180 kW/350 Nm
0-100 km/h Acceleration	7.8 seconds	3.9 seconds	3.9 seconds	7.9 seconds
Battery Technology	Magazine	Magazine	Magazine	Sponge Silicon
Battery Energy	93.3 kWh	93.3 kWh	93.3 kWh	144.4 kWh
Energy Consumption	15.5 kWh/100 km (15.5 kWh/62 miles)	16 kWh/100 km (16 kWh/62 miles)	16 kWh/100 km (16 kWh/62 miles)	15.8 kWh/100 km (15.8 kWh/62 miles)
Range (CLTC)	650 km (404 miles)	600 km (373 miles)	600 km (373 miles)	1,008 km (626 miles)
Energy density	To Be Announced	To Be Announced	To Be Announced	205 Wh/kg
Maximum charging speed	To Be Announced	To Be Announced	To Be Announced	480 kW; 80% battery top-up in 8 min

Features

The Aion LX Plus gets a 15.6-inch central infotainment system, AR-enabled navigation, Nappa leather seats, a 10-speaker sound system, a Qualcomm 8155 chip, and three LiDARs from Robosense to allow assisted driving functions (GAC has not revealed the autonomous capability yet).

Prices

The GAC Aion LX Plus’ prices start at CNY 286,600 (EUR 39,701) and go up to CNY 459,600 (EUR 63,666). The Chinese electric SUV is costlier than the Tesla Model Y, which costs CNY 301,840 (EUR 41,812) in the base configuration and CNY 387,900 (EUR 53,733) in the top-end configuration.

GAC Aion LX Plus Configuration	Price
GAC Aion LX Plus 80 Zhizun Edition	CNY 286,600 (EUR 39,701)
GAC Aion LX Plus 80D Ultimate	CNY 329,600 (EUR 45,657)
GAC Aion LX Plus 80D Max version	CNY 409,600 (EUR 56,739)
GAC Aion LX Plus Thousand Miles Edition	CNY 459,600 (EUR 63,666)

GAC Group plans to construct a second GAC Aion New Energy Vehicle plant with an annual production capacity of 200,000 units, Chinese media reports said last month. The company will invest CNY 1.81 billion in this project, and it aims to complete it this December. The opening of the second factory should allow GAC Group to launch more GAC Aion NEV models in 2023 and beyond.

GAC Aion LX Plus FAQs

Featured Image – GAC Aion