This new offering comes on the heels of the successful launch of the Wuling Starlight electric sedan in April. The sedan boasts an impressive range of up to 317 miles (510 km) on a single charge and has already garnered over 32,000 sales as of April.
While it shares the Starlight name, the new Starlight S takes the form of a compact SUV. Based on information from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Starlight S measures 4,745 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,690 mm tall, placing it squarely in the competitive compact SUV segment.
Expected to start around $9,700 (69,800 yuan), the Starlight S is poised to be a budget-friendly option compared to its rivals. BYD’s Song Plus PHEV starts at $23,900 (169,800 yuan), while the Tesla Model Y RWD begins at a steeper $35,500 (249,900 yuan).
While details about the electric range haven’t been revealed yet, the Starlight S will pack a 201 horsepower (250 kW) electric motor and a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack. LFP batteries are known for their affordability and stability, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious EVs.
The teaser images offer a glimpse of the Starlight S’s design. While specific details remain under wraps, the silhouette hints at a modern and sleek aesthetic that could appeal to a broad audience.
This latest unveiling comes just a week after Wuling launched the 2024 Bingo EV, a budget-friendly electric car aimed directly at BYD’s Seagull EV. With both the Bingo EV and the Starlight S, Wuling is targeting the affordable end of the electric vehicle market in China, a strategy that has proven successful with the Starlight sedan.
With its competitive pricing, promising electric motor, and timely entry into the booming compact electric SUV market, the Wuling Starlight S has the potential to disrupt the status quo in China’s electric vehicle landscape. How it will fare against established players like BYD and Tesla remains to be seen, but Wuling has certainly made a bold statement with this new electric SUV.