Chinese automaker Aiways is still quite new to the field. Founded in Shanghai in 2017, its first car, the all-electric Aiways U5, debuted in 2020. It had a range of 400 km, 140 kW (190 hp) and is currently available from around 36,000 euros. The startup is now offering a look inside its successor, Aiways U6. What is known about electric SUVs?
Here comes the bottom line: a honeycomb grill and sloped-down daytime running lights give the Aiways U6 an authoritarian look.
Design elements from the world of games and science fiction
From the outside, Aiways is striking in appearance. Many edges refract light, and the interaction between the paintwork and the carbon-look sills has a sporty effect. The entrance to the charging plug, located in the front left, is also clearly visible – on the Aiways U5 it was still in the center of the nozzle of the SUV. The 2.10-meter glass roof is dome-shaped and creates the atmosphere of a spaceship inside. This impression is supported by the uncompromising lines of the cockpit. Designers from China, Japan and Germany worked together on the look of the Aiways U6, and a similar number of influences can be found in the Stromer’s interior. Sports seats, for example, were based on experimental seats, and in cooperation with German Hi-Fi specialist Magnat, we came up with a special feature: speakers built into the headrests of the car, which should create special acoustic experiences.
The full force of the future! It doesn’t accelerate through the center-centred drive lever, but rather selects the gear on the automatic SUV.
Aiways do not follow the direction of Tesla
In the center of the U6 cockpit is a 14.6-inch (about 37 cm) touchscreen display, which is also the main control element. Underneath, it’s not just an inductive charging area for eye-catching smartphones. The selector lever of an automatic SUV, reminiscent of a drive lever, has a particularly futuristic effect. To the left is the two-spoke steering wheel. The car manufacturer deviated from its original U6ion model car because the steering wheel was open at the top and was reminiscent of the “close” steering wheel on the Tesla Model S Plaid. Only the white color inside indicates the original look. For multifunction steering wheel controls, the designers took inspiration from game consoles, says Aiways. Behind the steering wheel, a narrow screen integrated into the ventilation bar provides an overview of important driving data.
With the Aiways U6, there are a few behind the spoons: in addition to the usual audio outputs, the speakers are also integrated into the headrests.
remote parking
Aiways is expected to appear in three different types of equipment: blue with creamy white elements, as a combination of black and orange or in special equipment black with blue undertones and carbon fiber applications. Aiways does not currently provide any information on E-SUV performance and pricing. The car manufacturer reveals the first details about the assistance systems. So the Aiways U6 offers cruise control and lane departure warning as well as a so-called highway assist. It detects the speed of the vehicle in front of you on the highway and adapts your speed accordingly to ensure a sufficient distance. It also has a remote parking function. If you want to park your car comfortably, this means: get out, pull out your smartphone and use the app to steer the car even into the tightest parking spaces.
