The BYD Dolphin is about to get some serious competition in Thailand in the form of the GAC Aion UT. Previewed at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS), this cute entry-level electric hatchback is open for booking in the Land of Smiles, available in Standard and Premium variants.
Prices are estimated to start at around 490,000 baht (RM64,200) for a limited time, rising up to around 510,000 baht (RM66,800) at retail, according to Headlight Magazine. This significantly undercuts the equivalent Dolphin Standard Range, although it should be noted that BYD is giving a limited-time discount as part of BIMS that slashes the price to 499,900 baht (RM65,500).
The car was launched in China earlier this month but global models will reportedly receive a significant upgrade to boost range. No change to the front motor, which continues to push out 136 PS (100 kW) and 145 Nm of torque, but the battery capacities have been updated.
In China, the UT can only be had with either a 34.9 kWh or a 44.2 kWh pack, providing a range of just 330 km and 420 km. Those are hardly sterling numbers, even on China’s ridiculously optimistic CLTC cycle. Thai models, on the other hand, get a massive boost in capacity to 50 kWh for the Standard version and 60 kWh on the Premium – both using GAC’s Magazine lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology.
This approach is similar to the one BYD took for the Dolphin, which got larger battery options for global markets. No range figures have been quoted just yet, but expect them to be in the Dolphin’s ballpark – 340 km for the Standard Range model, 427 km for the Extended Range, both on the more realistic WLTP cycle. The UT will be capable of charging from 30 to 80% in 24 minutes through DC fast charging at an unspecified input, GAC claims.
Such is the company’s desire to compete with the Dolphin that the UT is very similarly sized. Measuring 4,270 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,575 mm tall, it’s 30 mm shorter, 80 mm wider and five millimetres taller than the BYD, while its 2,750 mm wheelbase is 50 mm longer.
The styling also follows the Dolphin’s general template, with a one-box profile, a short front end, a sweeping roofline and even very similar flush pull-up door handles. To our eyes, however, the UT looks more appealing, with “winky” sweptback headlights and four-point “matrix cube” fog lights. Along the side, the body-coloured C-pillar insert provides some visual interest, while the large taillights and blacked-out rear bumper gives the UT a rather “expressive” back end.
Inside, the UT follows the general template set by the Y Plus MPV, with a clean horizontal dashboard, large displays and a tall floating centre console, although the concentric square air vents are reminiscent of past Citroëns. The freestanding screens consist of an 8.88-inch digital instrument display and a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latter shared with the Y Plus.
Other features include a voice control that understands both English and Thai, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, automatic air con, lie-flat front seats and a Qi wireless charger. The Premium model gains powered, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate and larger 17-inch alloy wheels (16s are shown here). All models are offered with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities, as well as driver assists that include rear cross traffic alert with auto brake.
The UT could be the next Aion model to be sold in Malaysia, but before that will come the much posher Hyptec HT SUV, which has already been teased. Would you get this over the Dolphin? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
The post Bangkok 2025: GAC Aion UT previewed – BYD Dolphin rival open for booking from RM64k, Malaysia next? appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.
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