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The Chinese EV market continues to grow at a breakneck pace. In April alone, some 213,000 fully electric vehicles and about 68,000 plug-in hybrids were delivered in the country, of which the plug-in segment now accounts for about 29 percent of the entire market. The best-selling EV in China continues to be the Wuling Mini EV, of which 27,181 units were delivered to customers in April alone. Year-to-date results show 127,542 sales for small electric vehicles, giving it a comfortable edge over the second best-selling EV, the Tesla Model Y with 75,250 shipments.
We talked about the Wuling Mini EV in March this year when the so-called GameBoy Edition launched in China. It has four different versions, the Hurricane Phantom, Jungle Traveler, Star Rover, and Party Sweetheart, each featuring slightly different exterior finishes and a different wheelset. Now we can see how this affordable zero-emission city car looks on the road thanks to a new video review by our friends from Wheelboy车轮哥.
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The current Mini EV has changed a lot since the first version of the vehicle debuted, especially in this special edition version. There are new lights on the back and front, plus a sporty package with additional bumpers and side skirts. The overall proportions and positioning of the engine remain unchanged, though – a tall, narrow body with boxy edges and tiny 12-inch wheels. One funny detail to note is that this GameBoy edition didn’t come as a result of a partnership with Nintendo and has nothing to do with the Game Boy series.
The interior has been significantly upgraded but is still the same with a relatively inexpensive look and very cramped space. The video host points out that there is now added Bluetooth functionality and a redesigned center console with new material. The seats, apart from the new, more luxurious upholstery, are among the “most uncomfortable” on the market.
However, the most important improvements from the previous version are under the skin. The new Mini EV has 15 percent more power, now with a peak of 41 horsepower (30 kilowatts) and approximately 75 pound-feet (110 Newton-meters) of torque. Another big upgrade comes from the larger 26.5-kWh battery pack, which is good for 186 miles (300 kilometers) on a single charge as measured by NEDC standards. Ride quality and handling, however, are at the same level of mediocrity as the pre-facelift version.
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