The penetration rate of new energy vehicles is rising rapidly. Recent reports show that this rate has surpassed 50%. This performance boosts the confidence of domestic brands. They can now invest in research and development to create better products. In the early days, brands focused on extending range. As smart technology advanced, smart cockpits became the showcase for brands. In recent years, high-level intelligent driving has become a battleground. Both traditional and new energy brands showcase their capabilities in this area. Products based on vision solutions and lidar solutions continue to emerge.
Compared to visual intelligence driving solutions, cars with LiDAR have an advantage in smart driving. They adapt better to harsh weather. Thus, LiDAR-equipped cars generally cost more. Are there affordable models with LiDAR smart driving solutions? Today, you can buy a car with advanced smart driving systems and LiDAR hardware for just 160,000. Who is it? It’s the AION RT from GAC Aion, the star of our test drive today.
AION RT features a golden body ratio that creates visual appeal. It is the second global model from the brand and is called the A+ class king. This vehicle excels in space and intelligence. Its advanced driving capabilities stand out. It includes 126-line lidar, an NVIDIA chip, and 27 high-sensitivity hardware components. It performs advanced driving functions in cities and on highways without relying on high-precision maps. The pre-sale has started, with four versions priced between 119,800 and 169,800 yuan (23920$).
The AION RT features a minimalist and stylish design. Its overall look is not striking, but the long body lines and golden ratio create an appealing aesthetic. The front is flat, with raised lines on both sides of the hood that convey strength. Below the closed front grille, the design includes an active air intake for cooling the motor.
The headlights lack a slender shape. They do not use a split design. Instead, they have a rounded look with a hint of retro style. The bumper features air channels on both sides. The black finish looks very cool. The actual model’s mirrors also have a black coating.
The new car positions itself as an A+ class sedan. Its dimensions are 4865 mm in length, 1875 mm in width, and 1520 mm in height. The wheelbase measures 2775 mm. The roofline features an innovative design for electric sedans. It has a smooth 3.48-meter curve with a 20° radius. This design enhances the roof’s integrity, giving the rear an elegant look. The smooth shape, low-drag wheels, hidden door handles, and streamlined side mirrors reduce the drag coefficient to just 0.208 Cd. The car offers seven exterior color options.
AION RT uses a lidar smart driving solution. It features a unique 126-line variable-focus lidar at the front. The ORIN-X chip from NVIDIA provides 254 TOPS of computing power. The car has 27 automotive-grade all-around sensors. This setup delivers a mainstream high-level smart driving experience. It can easily handle 180° turns, narrow stone pillars, unpaved sandy roads, and muddy paths.
The rear of the car features an eye-catching coupe shape. The non-continuous taillights stand out. They offer a refreshing change from the common continuous designs. The 540-liter trunk provides ample space for daily use. The 670-millimeter low trunk lip makes it easy to load large items.
Large soft upholstery. Exquisite interior design. The AION RT features a minimalist and refined interior. The model we test drove uses a light color scheme, giving it a homely feel. The interior extensively uses soft materials. You can feel them where your elbows touch. There are textured patterns in front of the passenger seat. The interior also includes black gold accents. The rear seatbacks have design elements similar to high-end bags.
The dual-spoke steering wheel feels good and is comfortable to use. The 8.8-inch LCD instrument panel and 14.6-inch high-definition central screen match current interior design trends. The gear shift design is also convenient. Higher trim models offer an 11-speaker 5.1-channel sound system.
The 14.6-inch central control screen uses the third-generation domestic high-performance flagship chip RK3588M. This chip outperforms the current mainstream 8155 chip in computing power. Users experience smooth system performance and fast app launch speeds. The car system also features the ADIGO SENSE cloud model, enhancing voice recognition capabilities. The car’s UI mimics smartphone operation. Users can customize the bottom function bar easily. It offers a user-friendly experience.
This car excels in comfort and space. The top model offers heated and ventilated seats. The seats feature a 30mm composite low-density soft layer. The ultra-fiber leather surface feels good. It provides excellent touch and support for the body.
Remove the headrests from the front seats. The front seat backs can lie flat back 180°. They connect with the rear seat cushions. This creates a large flat space inside. The space is flexible and versatile.
The rear space in this car is good. The tester is 178 cm tall. There are about two fistfuls of legroom. Headroom is comfortable. The floor is not too high. Legs feel relaxed. The seating position is spacious.
The AION RT features 400V silicon carbide 3C fast charging technology. It offers two motor power options: 150kW and 165kW. The 68kWh 2.0 battery leads its class in capacity. It provides models with ranges of 520 kilometers and 650 kilometers. The new car charges from 30% to 80% in 18 minutes. It can add 200 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes.
The new car relies on powerful perception hardware and AI. It does not need high-precision maps. It covers 35 main scenarios and 357 sub-scenarios, achieving over 99% coverage. It offers “map-free global connectivity and smart driving” worldwide. Shift the gear lever down twice to activate the smart driving feature. The smart driving system perceives surroundings subtly. On roads with clear lane markings, it maintains center lane position. It accurately detects nearby vehicles and pedestrians.
The smart driving system operates almost without human intervention. It reacts quickly when vehicles brake or cut in. The system applies gentle braking. It slows down in advance, providing a smooth experience. In mixed traffic, the vehicle navigates slowly and safely. It avoids obstacles with reasonable angles and planned routes. It ensures a safe ride.
This smart driving system recognizes crosswalks. When pedestrians cross, the vehicle waits. It also detects nearby vehicles when turning left or right. The system slows down to yield. The lane change adjustment is conservative. The vehicle only changes lanes when no cars are behind or when they are far away. The lane change is smooth.
Plan the route with navigation. The vehicle stays centered on roads without lane markings. It accurately identifies obstacles ahead. It can mostly avoid them on its own. Overall, this smart driving system proves highly usable. You can use it confidently in both cities and on highways.
This car offers a good driving experience. The accelerator pedal feels light. The power output is linear. Drivers can adjust parameters to suit their habits. The suspension prioritizes comfort. It filters out small bumps effectively. Passengers in the back seat enjoy a smooth ride.
AION RT is the second global model under the brand. It leads in quality, comfort, and range among domestic brands. The lidar-equipped smart driving system works seamlessly. It significantly reduces driving fatigue. The price is crucial. The pre-sale price is under 160,000 yuan (22540$) for the advanced smart driving system with lidar. This lowers the price for lidar-equipped models. AION RT will officially launch this month. Expect more surprises on pricing.