Aiways U6 is a 217PS rival to the VW ID.5

The basic figures are entirely average: a 63kWh battery delivers a 249-mile official range between charges, with charging speeds up to 90kW. Though you won’t be maxing out your local Ionity station, it can get from 20-80 per cent charged in 35 minutes. The U6 also has a bit more power than its more conventional U5 sibling, packing 217PS (160kW) from a single motor. All in, the U6 in this single motor configuration weighs 1,790kg, which is relatively lightweight for an electric SUV. Other battery and motor configurations are expected thanks to the versatility of the Aiways More Adaptable Structure (MAS) platform.

The U6 does feature a sportier, more aerodynamic design than its sibling, with more aggressive lights and flanking vents at the front. The sloping roof line tapers at the rear into a hatch boot with a stick-on winglet. All in the drag figure is an impressive 0.26cD. The rear-spanning light bar is vaguely reminiscent of Polestar, while black cladding with highlights low down gives it stance.

On the inside the U6 is revised compared to the U5, using the Aiways ‘AI Cabin’ including an 8.2-inch digital driver’s display paired with a 14.6-inch infotainment system. Smartphone mirroring for both Android and Apple should be available once the car goes on sale. The two-spoke two-tone steering wheel looks nice and uses physical buttons, though much of the rest of the cabin seems to be digital. Of course, driver assistance tech is at the forefront of the offering too, with up to eleven operating, alongside two semi-autonomous driving functions, informed by a range of sensors working in tandem including 22 radars and cameras.

Once it arrives in Europe, the U6 should be competitive with the Volkswagen ID.5 on price. The single-motor version will be first, though more powerful examples are expected to follow. As for the company’s UK introduction? Right-hand-drive Aiways cars should be on our shores by the end of 2023, with this U6 following after that.