A new GM electric vehicle has just gone on sale in China but we can’t have it in the U.S. – at least not in this guise.
It’s called the Chevrolet Menlo and it was first shown in November 2019 in Guangzhou. Now, Chevrolet’s first EV in China is on sale in four variants, initially in Beijing only. Prices range from RMB 159,900 to RMB 179,900 ($22,740-$25,585) after China’s national subsidies for new energy vehicles.
Described as a “sporty-looking sedan” in the press release, the Chevrolet Menlo takes inspiration from the FNR-X all-purpose sports concept vehicle. It’s definitely a crossover, though GM China likes to call it a “fashionable blend of crossover and sporty coupe styling.”
See Also: 2020 Baojun E300 Debuts In China As GM’s Tiniest Electric Vehicle
Exterior highlights include the LED headlights with integrated DRLs, the closed-off grille, sporty bumpers, LED taillights and the ‘floating roofline’ achieved by means of a simple visual trick on the C-pillars. The crossover rides on 17-inch dual-tone alloys.
Inside, we find a multi-layer dashboard dominated by a 10.1-inch LCD touchscreen for the MyLink+ infotainment system with OnStar and an 8-inch TFT LCD instrument panel. The multimedia interface supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, Apple CarPlay and Baidu CarLife, as well as functions like virtual car key, remote control and intelligent voice recognition.
A multifunction steering wheel is also standard, as are up to 28 storage spaces and 1,077 liters (38 cu ft) of cargo space (with the rear seats folded down). Chevrolet also mentions an available 1.147-square-meter (12.3 sq-ft) panoramic roof made of laminated glass that provides sound and heat insulation while blocking 96 percent of UV rays.
Power comes from a new-generation pure electric drive system shared with the Buick Velite 6 Plus. An electric motor generates 110 kW (148 HP / 150 PS) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque thanks to the electricity supplied by a 52.5 kWh battery pack. Chevrolet says electricity consumption is 13.1 kWh/100 km, enabling the Menlo to cover up to 410 km (255 miles) on a full charge at constant speed per the NEDC regime.
The battery can be replenished to 80 percent of capacity within 40 minutes using a direct current (DC) fast charger. The Chevrolet Menlo offers three driving modes (economical, normal and sporty) and three energy recovery modes (light free recovery, medium efficient recovery and strong energy recovery).
On the tech front, the Chevrolet Menlo packs Bosch’s 9.3 Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert, Automatic Parking Assist, Following Distance Indicator, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
