On March 4, Audi officially launched the ninth-generation A6 Avant. The new car develops on a new fuel platform. It starts at €58,000 in Europe and plans to begin deliveries in May. For reference, the current imported A6 Avant sells in China for between ¥506,800 and ¥613,900. The new Audi A6 Avant largely retains the overall style of previous A6 models. However, it deepens the sporty details from the last generation. The front hexagonal grille lowers further, combined with a honeycomb structure and side air ducts, which reduces visual height and enhances sportiness. The LED matrix headlights adopt a sharper style similar to the A5. The side profile features a more pronounced angle on the D-pillar, aligning the new car closer to a shooting brake style.
Inside, the new car features an interactive system with up to three screens. The overall style remains similar to the previous model but appears more aggressive. The car retains essential physical buttons for easy operation. It also offers voice interaction, internet connectivity, and a panoramic sunroof for added comfort and convenience. The trunk has a capacity of 503 liters and can expand to over 1,530 liters with the rear seats folded down.
The power system covers fuel and mild hybrid technology. The gasoline versions support combustion cycle switching and variable geometry turbochargers. The main 3.0 TFSI V6 engine pairs with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It delivers 367 horsepower and achieves 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds with the quattro all-wheel drive system. The 2.0 TFSI version offers 204 horsepower. It also provides a diesel option in the European market, with power parameters similar to the gasoline version.
Audi is the only German automaker among the three giants that continuously introduces this category. It has a long history in the market. Despite limited demand, its station wagon has a stable user recognition. The company expects to continue importing for sales in the domestic market.
FAW Bestune Yuyi 03 Starts Pre-Sales Keywords: Compact SUV / Pre-sale price 97,900 to 127,900 yuan (17680$) / Flexible space and Huawei motor On March 5, FAW Bestune launched pre-sales for the electric compact SUV Yuyi 03. It offers six configurations. The official pre-sale price ranges from 97,900 to 127,900 yuan (17680$), with a limited-time pre-sale discount price of 95,900 to 125,900 yuan (17400$). The Yuyi 03 features FAW Bestune’s latest design language. Its front end has a split headlight design that forms an X shape. The lower air intake includes a chrome trim. The side features semi-hidden door handles and a charging port on the left front fender. The rear has a continuous taillight group and a central English logo. Customers can choose from six basic colors, including green and white. In terms of dimensions, the Yuyi 03 has a longer wheelbase compared to its main competitor, the BYD Yuan PLUS. Its overall length is similar, maintaining its compact SUV positioning.
Inside, the new car features a layout common in new energy vehicles. It includes a 14.6-inch floating central control screen, a digital instrument panel, and a gear shifter. The central console and the auxiliary dashboard have a separated design, creating storage space below. The interior offers three color schemes: black, green/beige. The Yueyi 03 comes standard with six airbags, front electric seats, a panoramic camera, and a 3.3 kW external power supply. Higher trims add a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, and an electric tailgate. The trunk has a standard capacity of 381 liters, expandable to 1,601 liters with the rear seats down. Huawei Digital Energy supplies the power system. It delivers 166 horsepower and 200 Nm of peak torque. The battery pack comes in two specifications, provided by Zhongxin Innovation, using lithium iron phosphate technology, with a maximum capacity of 61.47 kWh. It achieves a CLTC range of 445 km and 565 km, with a top speed of 160 km/h.
The current market for electric compact SUVs is competitive. The main rivals of the Yueyi 03 include the BYD Yuan PLUS, Geely Galaxy E5, and Deep Blue S05. Its pre-sale price offers a slight advantage over similar models. However, as an established company, it faces challenges in product recognition.
GAC Toyota officially launched the Platinum Smart 3X on March 6. This compact SUV comes in seven configurations. The price ranges from 109,800 to 159,800 yuan (22090$). Notably, this model is Toyota’s first electric vehicle in China to support full-scene, no-map smart navigation. The exterior design follows Toyota’s electric family style. The front features split headlights and a continuous LED light strip. The closed grille has a black mesh decoration below. The smart driving version integrates a laser radar at the front of the roof and a dual-camera module in the windshield. The side includes hidden door handles and a charging port on the right front fender. The top model boasts 19-inch two-tone wheels. In terms of size, the new car measures 4.6 meters in length and has a wheelbase exceeding 2.75 meters, offering a space advantage over competitors in its class.
The interior features a layered center console design. It offers three color schemes: orange, beige, and black. The entire lineup includes a 14.6-inch floating central display and an 8.8-inch LCD instrument panel. The car’s system runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. It supports four-zone voice interaction and OTA updates. The smart driving version adds an NVIDIA Orin-X chip and 27 perception components. Momenta supports the smart driving system. It enables no-map city navigation and smart parking features. The power system provides two front motor configurations. The peak power is 204 horsepower and 224 horsepower. The battery packs include three lithium iron phosphate options: 50, 58.3, and 67.9 kWh. They correspond to CLTC ranges of 430, 520, and 610 kilometers. All models come with 3.3 kW external discharge and dual-zone heat pump air conditioning. High-end models upgrade to Yamaha sound systems, seat ventilation and heating, and powered tailgates.
The current electric compact SUV market is dominated by domestic models like AION V and BYD Yuan PLUS. In the joint venture camp, Volkswagen ID.4 and Honda E:NP2 compete directly. The Baojun 3X enters the market with competitive pricing and smart driving capabilities, similar to the previous model, the E03. However, its market performance may be limited by Toyota’s brand recognition in the electric field.
Dongfeng Honda officially launched the S7. Keywords: midsize SUV / 259,900 to 309,900 yuan (42840$) / CLTC range 650 kilometers. On March 6, Dongfeng Honda introduced the S7, its first midsize SUV based on a new pure electric platform. It offers single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive models, priced at 259,900 yuan (35930$) and 309,900 yuan (42840$), respectively. The vehicle features a CATL 89.8 kWh lithium battery, achieving a maximum range of 650 kilometers under CLTC conditions. The first 1,000 buyers can receive a limited-time package worth 86,900 yuan (12010$). The exterior showcases Honda’s new electric design language. The closed front grille and continuous LED light strip create an “H” visual identifier. The side features 21-inch wheels and streaming electronic side mirrors. The S7 measures 4.75 meters in length and has a wheelbase of 2.93 meters, giving it a size advantage among pure electric midsize SUVs.
Inside, the S7 features a 12.8-inch vertical central control screen and a 9.9-inch floating instrument panel. It uses the Qualcomm 8155 chip and Honda CONNECT 4.0 system. Key configurations include L2+ level driving assistance, a five-section transparent sunroof, BOSE headrest speakers, and a multifunctional touch panel for the rear seats. The electronic side mirror display and ADS adaptive damping system enhance technology and driving experience. The power system offers a single motor version with 272 horsepower and a dual motor version with 476 horsepower. The battery supports 800V high-voltage platform technology. Fast charging from 10% to 80% takes 28 minutes. The all-wheel-drive version has a range of 620 kilometers.
The current market for mid-sized pure electric SUVs is highly competitive. The Xiaopeng G6 and the Leidao L60 are priced between 200,000 and 270,000 yuan (37320$). The Tesla Model Y dominates the market share among joint venture models. The S7 is a key product for Honda’s electrification in China. Its price is significantly higher than mainstream competitors. Given the market’s limited perception of Japanese electric products, Honda may lower prices to gain market share.