MIIT November New Car Reveal: VW–Xpeng “Lovechild” Debuts; SAIC Maxus Swaps EV for Motorcycle Engine

MIIT 401st Auto Exhibition Catalog — November 10 Release

The 401st batch of the MIIT auto exhibition catalog arrived as scheduled on November 10, 2024.

With the Guangzhou Auto Show just ahead, many domestic OEMs are holding back on big launches — resulting in this batch focusing mainly on minor updates to existing models.

Highlights in This Batch

• Volkswagen’s “Yuzhong 08” — A co-developed EV with Xpeng aiming to revive VW’s pure-electric prestige.
• Xpeng Mona 03 Facelift — Subtle rear design refresh on the sales champion.
• Seven BYD Models — Extended CLTC range upgrades.
• Dongfeng Yi Pai — Debut of China’s first mass-produced in-wheel motor vehicle.
• SAIC Maxus — Gas-engine conversions for EV platforms using motorcycle engines.

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Volkswagen Anhui Yuzhong 08

Perhaps the batch’s most talked-about newcomer, the Yuzhong 08 is widely believed to be co-developed by Volkswagen and Xpeng.

Strategic Importance:

This is a core part of Volkswagen’s “developed in China, for China” strategy, showing strong local adaptation efforts.

Dimensions:

• Length: 5000 mm
• Width: 1954 mm
• Height: 1688 mm
• Wheelbase: 3030 mm — Longer than the Xpeng G9

Exterior Design

• Latest Volkswagen design language (similar to Yuzhong 06) with clean proportions and minimalist lines.
• Short front overhang, long rear overhang for a sporty profile.
• Frameless doors for premium feel.
• High-mounted brake light with Wolfsburg wolf head badge.

Editorial note: Headlights may appear overly sharp for some tastes.

Intelligent Features

• L2++ Assisted Driving from parking spot to parking spot.
• OTA Updates supported.
• No lidar visible — likely using Xpeng’s vision-only AI driving.

• Infotainment: Based on Xpeng’s Tianji OS, redesigned UI for VW, with localized voice assistant.

Powertrain

• VW’s first China-produced model with 800V ultra-fast charging.
• CLTC range >700 km.
• Configurations:
• Single motor: 230 kW
• Dual motor: 140 kW (front) + 230 kW (rear)
• CATL LFP batteries.

Market Position:

• Price range: RMB 300,000–500,000.
• Target buyer: Brand-conscious customers wanting smart tech + long range.

Production: Volkswagen Anhui plant, leveraging Yangtze River Delta supply chain.

Background:

Volkswagen Anhui is VW’s third China JV (after SAIC VW, FAW-VW).

Previous models — ID. Yuzhong and Yuzhong 06 — struggled in sales, even after heavy price cuts.

Key Question:

Will the Yuzhong 08 reverse VW’s EV fortunes in China?

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Xpeng Updates

Two models filed:

• Xpeng X9 Ultra — Pure-electric variant joins the range-extender model.
• Xpeng Mona 03 Facelift — Slight rear refresh.

X9 Ultra Exterior Changes

• Fog lamps and lower surrounds match range-extender styling.
• Honeycomb lower intake removed from current EV version.

Powertrain:

• RWD: 235 kW max output.
• AWD: 235 kW (front) + 135 kW (rear).
• Ternary lithium batteries from CALB.

> First Xpeng model released in both pure EV and range-extender versions simultaneously.

Mona 03 Facelift

• Rear sharpened for a more modern look.
• Adds six-spoke wheels (like the P7).

Specs Update:

• Motor power up to 160 kW.
• Retains internal LFP battery pack.

Sales Note:

200,000 units delivered; >10,000/month for 14 straight months. Facing growing competition from BYD Dolphin, Leapmotor B01, and SAIC MG4.

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BYD Range-Upgrades

Models Updated:

• Song Pro DM-i — 150 km EV range, 26.628 kWh LFP blade battery
• Qin L DM-i — 155 km EV range, 25.287 kWh LFP blade battery
• Seal 05 DM-i — 155 km EV range
• Seal 06 DM-i — 155 km EV range
• Seal 07 DM-i — 110 km EV range
• Fang Cheng Bao Titan 7 — Tow hook + connector, 130 km EV range, 35.624 kWh LFP battery
• Yangwang U7 — 180 km EV range, 52.3987 kWh battery

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Dongfeng Yi Pai 007 In-Wheel Motor Edition

China’s first mass-produced in-wheel motor EV.

Dimensions: 4880 × 1915 × 1476 mm, wheelbase 2915 mm.

Key Innovation:

• Four in-wheel motors by Shanghai Electric Drive — 100 kW each, total 400 kW.
• Removes gearbox, drivetrain — freeing space, improving efficiency.
• Enables independent wheel control for traction, stability, and even pivot turns.

Comparison:

BYD’s e⁴ tech controls each wheel separately but uses axle-mounted motors.

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“New Species” — Unusual Approvals

SAIC Maxus Danna V1 “Electric-to-Gas”

• Original EV platform, converted with CFMOTO 965cc motorcycle engine (42 kW) as range extender.
• Engine mounted under rear axle due to packaging limits.

Practical for commercial vehicles — small, cheap, adequate power without major vibration issues.

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212 Explorer 01 Pickup

• Rugged 212 styling + off-road bumpers & accessories.
• Dimensions: 5469 × 1955 × 1970 mm, wheelbase 3488 mm.
• Bed size: 1555 × 1520 × 490 mm.
• Approach/departure: 42/26° or 42/24° variants.
• Powered by 2.3T diesel, 140 kW.
• Likely automatic-only.

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Bottom Line:

This batch focuses on incremental tweaks, tech showcases, and a few quirky outliers — setting the stage for bigger reveals at the Guangzhou Auto Show.

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