800V pure electric coupe is sold at the terminal of 170,000, and the Alpha S5 de

tech | 2024-04-27

When everyone's attention is focused on the pure electric sports sedan, the Xiaomi SU7, it's not easy for competitors under the spotlight to get a share of the pie. The Zeekr 007, with a slightly stronger brand momentum, is one of them, but upon closer examination of the Arcfox Alpha S5, it becomes clear that it is even more aggressive than the Zeekr 007. To be honest, I haven't been paying attention to this brand for a long time, and if it weren't for participating in this small-scale regional market event, I wouldn't have noticed that the models under this brand have undergone significant changes.

In my view, there is a watershed for the Arcfox brand. Before the Arcfox Koala came out, it was heavily branded with "Magna," and BAIC New Energy Technology didn't have much memorable about it; after the Koala, the brand finally formed a design highlight, with deep consideration and implementation for family scenarios, injecting a gene of affinity into the brand. It's really a very distinctive pure electric car, and I would recommend families expecting a baby to take a look at this car when they pass by an Arcfox supermarket store in the mall; it's quite interesting.

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When I first saw the Arcfox S5 in person, it was actually a revelation to me. I didn't expect that models other than the Koala from Arcfox could be designed so well. Its exterior and interior appearance are very new and youthful, with a light luxury character that is approachable, different from the Arcfox that once only had the Magna brand.

It's no exaggeration to say that in terms of design and materials, it stands on the same level as the Xiaomi SU7 and Zeekr 007. The exterior style is very sporty, with a 50:50 front-to-rear style and four-wheel-four-corner design that is very evident. The fastback shape is very smooth and unobtrusive, and the floating design of the black roof is also very natural.

The design of the interior IP platform is sporty and futuristic, but the angle is very precise, making this shape easy to accept. There are some new materials with high friction on the materials, even the trim has a specially designed pattern, and the hidden interior ambient lighting enhances the sense of technology.

The design of the central armrest area not only looks good but also greatly expands the conventional storage space. With a standard double cup holder, it can easily accommodate three large smartphones, and the hollow space underneath is also high and wide enough, with hidden USB ports designed for both Type-A and Type-C standards.

Although it does not provide a liquid crystal instrument, it has a huge AR-HUD dug into the instrument panel, with an equivalent display area of 68 inches, which is larger than the second-generation NIO ES6, which costs twice as much as the car. This configuration is almost unique in its class.

Despite having a length of only 4.8 meters, the rear space is also acceptable. With the beautiful back design, under the form of the skylight glass that saves space, it barely allows a person with a height of 173cm to have a fist's distance to accommodate the risk of bumping their head, and anyone taller may need to be careful.

After being satisfied with the design, when I learned that in addition to the lowest configuration being a 400V architecture, the other two configurations use 800V technology, I naturally believe that in the pure electric sports sedan market segment, there should be a place for it.The Alpha S5's low-end 560 MAX version is not expected to be the main configuration this time. Although it is 20,000 yuan cheaper than the 708 MAX, it has reduced endurance and power, aside from being based on 400V technology. The 65-kWh battery is really just for getting around.

The 708 MAX, with the support of 800V technology, can achieve a CLTC range of 708 kilometers on a 79.2-kWh battery, which is quite competitive against the entry-level 75-kWh battery configuration of the Zeekr 007, priced at 209,900 yuan. Its guide price is 196,800 yuan, but the actual terminal price is very competitive. On one hand, there is a limited-time cash discount of 25,000 yuan, and the 708 MAX model also comes with optional extras, including the self-developed four-piston calipers and electric tailgate from Arcfox, which are included.

As for the top-tier model at 216,800 yuan, the main upgrade over the 708 MAX is the dual-motor system, with a maximum power output of 390 kW and a peak torque of 690 N·m, achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 3.7 seconds. With the limited-time rights, it is currently a rare "dual-motor + 800V + fully equipped" option under 200,000 yuan. It is actually slightly cheaper than the entry-level Xiaomi SU7 at 215,900 yuan and the entry-level Zeekr 007 at 209,900 yuan, and it has a price advantage of at least 20,000 yuan over these two dual-motor models.

In summary, although the Arcfox S5 may not have the brand strength of Xiaomi, this car is worth a visit to an Arcfox dealership to understand the current design of the brand's models, as well as its product performance and cost-effectiveness, to see if it is worthy of comparison with popular high-traffic models.

Its sales volume may never reach the heights of the Xiaomi SU7, but this pure electric sedan market should have its place. If it tries a little harder, achieving half the sales of the Zeekr 007 is not impossible.