The new AION UT electric supermini will arrive in the UK with a starting price of £28,950, with order books set to open in September. Designed to bring premium features, strong performance and generous interior space to the B-segment, the new EV will make its UK public debut at the British Motor Show in Farnborough from August 21 to 23.
The AION UT will appear alongside the AION V electric SUV, which became the Chinese brand’s first model to launch in the UK earlier this year.
Designed in Europe at AION’s styling centre in Milan, the UT aims to stand out in the increasingly competitive electric supermini market.
Despite its relatively compact dimensions, the electric hatchback offers equipment more commonly associated with larger and more expensive cars. Standard features include a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 360-degree surround-view camera.
Customers will also have the option of adding a Premium Pack for £1,200. The package adds a panoramic glass roof, powered tailgate, ventilated driver’s seat and wireless smartphone charging.
Interior practicality is another key selling point. AION says the UT provides generous headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, while 24 storage areas help make the cabin more versatile for everyday use.
The boot provides 440 litres of cargo capacity, giving the UT a useful advantage for a small electric car.
The AION UT is powered by a 60kWh battery, delivering a claimed 268-mile range on a single charge.
That figure is particularly significant in the B-segment, where affordable electric cars often make compromises on battery capacity and range. AION says the UT offers the longest standard range in its class.
Performance is also a strong point. The electric supermini can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds, giving it enough performance for both urban driving and longer journeys.
The combination of a relatively large battery, competitive range and quick acceleration could make the UT an interesting alternative to established electric hatchbacks.
AION has also made changes specifically for the UK market rather than simply bringing the standard European specification to British roads.
The UK engineering team carried out an extensive tuning programme covering the springs, dampers and bump-stops, along with a revised anti-roll bar.
The objective is to give the UT responsive handling while maintaining a comfortable ride over Britain’s often challenging road surfaces. AION describes the resulting setup as agile and playful without sacrificing refinement.
That balance could be particularly important in a segment where buyers increasingly expect affordable EVs to provide both easy city driving and comfortable motorway performance.
AION is also attempting to differentiate the UT through its aftersales package.
Every UK-market UT comes with the AION Great 8 Promise, which includes an eight-year warranty, eight years of servicing, eight years of roadside assistance and MOT coverage until the vehicle is eight years old.
The package is VIN-locked to the vehicle, meaning the benefits remain associated with the car if ownership changes.
At £28,950, the AION UT enters the UK market with a combination of range, equipment, performance and ownership support that could make it one of the more interesting new electric superminis to watch.
With order books opening in September, the UT’s UK launch will give buyers another option as the affordable electric car market continues to expand.
