AI-powered Jiyue 07 launches in China with L4 autonomy

With the rising concerns about climate change and the push for sustainable transportation, EVs are quickly becoming the preferred choice for many drivers. China, in particular, has been a major player in the EV space, and the latest release from Jiyue, the Baidu-Geely joint venture, deserves all the attention it can get.

The Jiyue 07, an "AI-era smart car," has just made its official debut. With a starting price of 209,900 yuan (roughly $29,500), this mid-size electric sedan offers a compelling combination of style, technology, and performance.

The Jiyue 07 is available in six striking colors and features an enclosed front grille, a continuous light bar that stretches across the bottom of the hood, and distinctive headlight clusters. The car's futuristic design continues with the door-opening buttons located on the B and C pillars, a unique touch that adds to the vehicle's sleek appearance. In fact, the Jiyue 07 boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.198, contributing to its impressive efficiency. It beats Audi’s best result ever, hands down.

With a length of 195 inches, a width of 78.3 inches, and a height of 58.1 inches, it offers ample room for passengers and cargo. The generous 118.6 inches wheelbase ensures plenty of legroom for both front and rear occupants, while the 20.5 ft³ trunk can expand to a cavernous 55.5 ft³ with the rear seats folded down.

The interior of the Jiyue 07 is equally impressive, dominated by a massive 35.6-inch touchscreen that can function as a single unit or be divided into three separate segments. The yoke-style steering wheel adds to the car's futuristic appeal, and the navigation system comes equipped with lane-level mapping for enhanced accuracy.

The Jiyue 07 is available in three versions, each catering to different needs and preferences. The standard version offers a range of 410 miles, while the long-range version can travel up to 547 miles on a single charge. For those after a bit more excitement, the performance version delivers a 0-62 mph acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds, thanks to its dual-motor setup and 800-volt architecture.

The 07 buyers have a choice of single-motor and dual-motor configurations, each with its own unique characteristics. The single-motor versions use a 400V architecture and a rear-mounted 200 kW motor, delivering a peak torque of 253 lb-ft. Meanwhile, the dual-motor performance version boasts an 800V architecture, a 300 kW rear motor, and a 230 kW front motor, resulting in a combined torque of 482 lb-ft.

The most groundbreaking feature of the Jiyue 07 is its Apollo 2.0 high-end intelligent driving system, which claims to achieve Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. It seems Jiyue took a page from Tesla's book here, and officially, this feature is still under development and requires a subscription. Another never-ending "beta" solution?

There's no denying that Jiyue 07 is a remarkable achievement for the Chinese automotive industry. It's yet another proof of the country's growing prowess in the EV space and a clear indication that China is more than ready to compete on the global stage. With its striking design, impressive performance, and technology, the Jiyue 07 is one to watch.

Via