Weima Auto Released Its Second Model EX6 Plus at Guangzhou Auto Show on November 22, 2019 After One and a Half Years of Its First-Ever Model EX5

Unlike the previous car releases, Weima EX6 Plus was trapped in props resembling icebergs while the PPT beside it read “Extreme Intelligence with a Cold Touch“.

In the cold winter of 2019, the new energy vehicle market experienced a subsidy decline and several spontaneous combustion incidents, like a snowstorm in the cold winter.

However, Weima’s intent was clear. EX6 Plus broke through the ice and prepared to face the cold winter head-on.

You may have seen the previous picture with a limited first edition of Weima EX6 Plus priced at CNY 2.399 million after subsidy, which seems a bit expensive. However, let’s take a look at the product itself.

The Familiar Weima EX6 Plus

Firstly, Weima EX6 Plus is 4802 x 1839 x 1710 mm in length, width, and height respectively, and it has already entered the circle of B-class SUVs compared to the size of the EX5 A-class SUV.

EX6 Plus continues the design style of EX5 with a lot of familial design elements on its front end, for example, the interactive logo and the embellishment that spans the front.

At the same time, EX6 Plus is more delicate in many details. The headlight module is more slender, and the light source is designed with full LED lights. The bumper on both sides is equipped with a three-segment daytime running light pattern at the air intake position, echoing the Weima logo again. However, it is still unfortunate that the position of fast-charging ports is still located at the front of the vehicle.The tail of the WEY EX6 Plus still adopts the design of the through-type taillights, but the width of the light strip is wider and the level is richer, and the logo on the tail has also become a luminous form.

On the side, the length of the WEY EX6 Plus has reached 4.8 meters, the bi-color multi-spoke wheels have a strong sense of motion, and the 19-inch large feet do not look big on the EX6 Plus. The overall side styling is very solid, with the temperament of the first-generation Q7 after the mid-term facelift.

It is worth mentioning that the WEY EX6 Plus and WEY EX5 both belong to the WEY STD platform. Therefore, although the body size is much larger than the EX5, the wheelbase is 2715mm, only 12mm more than the EX5.

However, for the car interior space, there is no need to worry at all. After all, the body is much longer. WEY has redesigned the cabin layout based on this. The EX6 Plus still has a very spacious rear space.

• Interior

When I saw the interior of the EX6 Plus for the first time, I even suspected that I had entered the wrong car. Except for the position of the in-car camera which has changed from the steering wheel to above the center console, there is almost no other change.

It is understood that the EX6 Plus still uses the same 12.3-inch instrument and 12.8-inch multimedia display as the EX5, and the processor chip is the Texas Instruments J6.

• Tri-electric

In terms of power, the WEY EX6 Plus is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronizing motor with a maximum power of 160kW and a maximum torque of 315N·m. The 0-100km/h acceleration time is 9.5 seconds.

In terms of endurance, the capacity of the new car battery pack is 69 kWh, and the NEDC comprehensive range is 505 km.

If you are familiar with WM, you will know that the EX6 Plus and EX5 520 versions are identical in terms of three-electric hardware parameters. The only difference is that the range drops from 520 km to 505 km.

At first, I found it unbelievable that the EX6 Plus, which is much larger than the EX5, has only slightly decreased endurance by 15 km using the same motor and battery capacity.

According to the information previously exposed by MIIT, the EX6 Plus is only 61 kg heavier than the EX5 with the same battery capacity, which shows that WM has done a lot of work on weight control for the EX6 Plus.

WM EX6 Plus and Its Competitors

From the above introduction, it is not difficult to see that the WM EX6 Plus is a stretched version of the EX5, with no significant technical or endurance advantages. The second product of WM seems to be too plain.

However, it is precisely because many designs of the EX5 are used, the EX6 Plus has great advantages in cost control.

Going back to the beginning, the limited edition founder version of the EX6 Plus is priced at 239,900 yuan after subsidies. Let’s compare the parameters and prices of the same level models.

Even as the top model of the EX6 Plus family, the limited edition founder version is still cheaper than the lowest model of the domestic competitors, with no disadvantage in endurance.

But don’t forget that the top model is not for mass production. Referring to the price list of WM EX5, the price difference between the top model and the low-end model of the WM EX5 520 high-end model is 20,000 yuan.

Moreover, the WmAuto EX5 520 version does not come standard with the Living Pilot assisted driving system (worth 15,000 yuan).

Therefore, it is expected that if a mid- and low-level version of the EX6 Plus 505 km endurance version is launched in the future and Living Pilot is offered as an option, the starting price will be reduced to about 200,000 yuan.

Moving on, the three most popular compact electric cars on the market at present, the Geely A, Aion S, and BYD Qin Pro EV, have long-endurance versions (NEDC≥500 km), with prices around 180,000 yuan depending on the configuration.

As a mid-size SUV, the EX6 Plus has overwhelming advantages in space, but the price difference is not very large.

Therefore, it can be imagined that when the EX6 Plus enters mass production, it can harvest the market share of the BYD Tang EV and Aion LX, while also attracting users of compact electric vehicles. WmAuto has truly prepared for the cold winter.

It is always interesting to see the development ideas of new brands in the car manufacturing industry by looking at their second models.

NIO, from the ES8 to the ES6, firmly advocates high-end and luxury in every detail.

XPeng Motors, from the G3 to the P7, is doing its best to achieve upward breakthroughs through automatic driving, intelligence, and electrification.

WmAuto, from the EX5 to the EX6 Plus, continues to maintain its consistent high cost-effectiveness and steady approach.

There is no right or wrong path among these three routes. Each of them should focus on doing a good job and will have its own target consumer market.

At the WmAuto Brand Night in April of this year, WmAuto founder Shen Hui’s words left a deep impression on me: “In the cold winter, you either stand out or get out.”No, but outstanding performance does not only come from ultra-long range or black technology in assisted driving. Cost-effectiveness is also a way, and the WmAuto EX6 Plus has achieved this.

• Solving the Range Problem of Electric Cars in Winter: This is How WmAuto Does It

• What Do the First Batch of WmAuto Owners Say Half a Year After Delivery?

This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.