Chinese automaker Dayun has officially launched its first electric passenger car in South Africa in the form of the Yuehu S5.
Imported and distributed by Enviro Automotive, Dayun has introduced a new compact electric vehicle (EV) that is significantly cheaper than anything else currently on the market.
The Yuehu S5 has a local starting price of R399,900, making it a staggering R140,000 cheaper than the previous entry-level EV, the BYD Dolphin, which starts at R539,900.
Only eight units from the model’s initial import batch are still available to the public, as the rest have already been bought by customers who placed their orders months in advance.
Specifications
Dayun is predominantly focused on motorcycles and commercial vehicles in its home market of China, though it has since branched out into making EVs.
The Yuehu was launched in 2017 and has seen commercial success in more than 20 different countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa with over 35,000 units sold, according to the manufacturer.
It is powered by a front-mounted electric motor generating 35kW and 105Nm, allowing the car to reach a top speed of 100km/h.
Electricity is provided by a 31.7kWh ternary lithium-ion battery, which gives the S5 a maximum range of 330km.
It also supports level 2 AC and DC charging for use at home and public stations, and re-energizing takes roughly four hours using a standard 200V outlet. With a DC fast cable, a 20-80% charge takes less than an hour.
Described as a mini-SUV, the Yuehu measures just 3,695mm in length, 1,685mm in width, and 1,598mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,410mm.
This makes it considerably more compact than the BYD Dolphin, and about the same size as A-segment hatchbacks like the Hyundai Grand i10 or Kia Picanto.
Its small size means it has a 10.7m turning radius, making it easy to navigate tight parking spaces and congested city streets, said the carmaker.
The S5 features a curved front end with a closed grille and LED headlights, while the back has a two-tone effect with black colouring around the rear window and the high-mounted LED light bar.
There are five colours to choose from – Ivory White, Pale Green, Misty Rose Pink, Teal and Dark Red.
The S5 line-up consists of two variants, the Standard and VIP, which are differentiated by their equipment list.
Items found across the range include automatic headlights, 15-inch wheels, a rearview camera with a reverse assistant, tyre-pressure monitoring, USB ports, automatic cruise control, keyless start, central locking, leather upholstery, a multifunction steering wheel, electric windows, automatic climate control, and electronically adjustable front seats.
On the dashboard, you’ll find an 8-inch digital driver monitor and a 7-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth and WiFi hotspot capabilities.
This is on top of the safety functions including ABS with brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, hill-start assist, slope descent control, ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, two front airbags, and a low-speed driving warning system for pedestrian safety.
The VIP models then add to all of this with four parking sensors in the front and rear, LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy rims, front fog lamps, and a SmartLink App that allows owners to remotely lock the car or activate the climate controls.
Users can also use the app to set an “electronic fence” which will sound an alarm and initiate a trace if the vehicle is ever taken outside a designated area.
Pricing
The South African pricing for the new Dayun Yuehu S5 is as follows:
- Dayun Yuehu S5 Standard – R399,900
- Dayun Yuehu S5 VIP – R449,900
This includes a 3-year/60,000km warranty, service plan, and roadside assistance plan, as well as a separate 5-year/120,000km battery warranty.
Dayun Yuehu S5
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