Key Points
- The Wuling Eksion EV medium electric SUV has appeared in Australia's ADR vehicle certification database.
- The ADR entry lists a single 150kW front motor and five seats, and the overseas model uses a 69.2kWh LFP battery rated at up to 530km on the CLTC cycle.
- Wuling is a budget brand, and the Eksion would likely be pitched below the Geely EX5, currently the cheapest medium electric SUV in Australia from $41,990.
Wuling, a budget brand from a joint venture between General Motors and MG parent company SAIC Motor, appears to be preparing an Australian launch. They are best known for their best selling Wuling MINI EV which at one stage was China’s best-selling EV model.
An application for the Wuling Eksion EV has appeared in the federal government's Australian Design Rule (ADR) certification database. The Eksion is a medium electric SUV. There is no confirmed launch date or Australian pricing yet, however, it appears its only a matter of time before it launches down under.
A likely budget option for medium electric SUVs
The Eksion would compete in the medium SUV segment. Wuling is a budget brand, so the Eksion would likely be offered as a low-cost option in that segment. Wuling has not confirmed Australian pricing.
There are currently no real budget options among medium electric SUVs in Australia. The most affordable is the Geely EX5, which starts from $41,990 before on-road costs for the entry-level Complete variant.
If Wuling prices the Eksion below the EX5, in the sub $40,000 bracket, it would become the cheapest medium electric SUV on sale in Australia.
Wuling Eksion EV specifications
The figures below are for the Indonesian-market Eksion. Australian specifications have not been confirmed. Range figures are on China's CLTC test cycle, which typically returns higher numbers than the WLTP cycle used in Australia.
Wuling Eksion specifications (Indonesian market)
Specification | Eksion EV | Eksion PHEV |
Motor | Single front motor, 150kW | 145kW electric motor |
Engine | N/A | 1.5-litre four-cylinder, 78kW/130Nm |
Torque (electric motor) | 310Nm | Not stated |
Battery | 69.2kWh LFP | 20.5kWh LFP |
Claimed range (CLTC) | Up to 530km | 125km electric |
Seats | 5 (ADR entry) | 7 seats offered overseas |
Size, chassis and equipment
The Eksion measures 4745mm long, 1850mm wide and 1755mm tall. It rides on a 2810mm wheelbase. That makes it 145mm longer, 5mm narrower and 70mm taller than the Toyota RAV4. In terms of electric peers, its broadly the same size as a Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7.
Wuling Eksion dimensions
Dimension | Wuling Eksion |
Length | 4745mm |
Width | 1850mm |
Height | 1755mm |
Wheelbase | 2810mm |
Wheels | 18-inch alloys |
Suspension is MacPherson strut at the front and multi-link at the rear.
Inside, there is an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. Indonesian models are well equipped. Features include:
- Panoramic sunroof
- Power tailgate
- Ventilated front seats
Who is Wuling?
Wuling started building vehicles in 1984. In 2002, it formed the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture. In 2010, it set up a second brand with SAIC and GM called Baojun.
Wuling's passenger cars sit under its Silver Label sub-brand, which launched in 2020 for private buyers. The range includes:
- The Hongguang Mini EV electric micro-car, which was the second-best selling vehicle in China last year
- The mid-size Starlight sedan
- The Starlight L large SUV
Wuling's commercial vehicles, mainly vans, use a Red Label badge.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
