Chinese Startup Teases All-Electric Crossover Ahead of Debut
The Byton SIV all-electric crossover will bow at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show next week.
First announced last September as the Byton from Future Mobility, the Chinese automaker has since changed the name of the crossover to SIV, while the company name has been changed to Byton. New details have been released as Byton has begun a teaser campaign on social media for the crossover’s debut on January 7, calling it a “smart intuitive vehicle” that has been designed for the “coming era of truly shared, smart mobility and autonomous driving.”
The model boasts a curved 49-inch touchscreen that offers what is being called a “shared experience” for all passengers, while “Air Touch” sensors allow the vehicle to be controlled using hand gestures. There’s also a cloud platform that connects the driver’s or passenger’s smartphone apps and data. Byton also mentioned the car uses “Intuitive Access” to unlock the vehicle, which is facial recognition.
SEE ALSO: Chinese Electric Start-Up Future Mobility To Unveil the Byton
Powering the SIV is a 201-horsepower electric motor in the front and a 268-hp electric motor at the rear. The standard model is equipped with a 71-kWh battery, while a 95-kWh unit will be available as an option. The automaker claims the 71-kWh battery offers a range of around 200 miles and the larger unit does around 310 miles.
More details will be announced next week once the Byton SIV debuts at CES 2018, but the company is confident production will begin in Nanjing, China next year. It will go on sale in its home country in 2019, before heading to Europe and the U.S. in 2020.
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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