China's Cheapest EV Is For Oldschool Gamers

Mar. 07, 2022 11:11 AM ET by Nikesh Kooverjee Special Editions / 3 Comments

The Asian-specific EV pays tribute to four heritage gaming subjects.

The Wuling Mini EV is a micro electric car sold in select Asian regions. It has proved to be a business model that is so successful that the product is outselling the likes of the Tesla Model 3. A bare-basic Mini EV currently sells for 28,800 yuan which is just over $4,500; this massively outguns the proposed entry-level $25,000 Tesla that we have been expecting.

This might sound like a sweet deal, but the microcar only produces about 27 horsepower and can cover a range of 74 miles before draining its battery. The Mini EV is put together by the SAIC-GM conglomerate but don't expect to see this tiny tyke on American soil anytime soon. Given that the car can clear over 100,000 unit sales in just 18 months, we don't think there is any desperation for the essential commuter to tap into many more markets.

The local appeal for the product has been so successful that Wuling has decided to expand the Mini EV line to a new Game Boy edition. Included in this visually exciting range are four themed creations that appeal to its varying consumer base. All examples created here have been put together with official accessories available for purchase from its dealer network.

The Game Boy range, boasting a badge that is curiously similar to the Toyota Gazoo logo, has been designed to pay tribute to the world of gaming. Nintendo is usually quite finicky about licensing infringements, but the Chinese manufacturer insists that it has secured the necessary rights to use the term.

The first of the lot is the intimidating Hurricane model that bears the black and red colors scheme that is associated with dot-matrix display games of the early 80s. The green Jungle Crossing theme refers to competitive military-focused games such as Counter-Strike or Call of Duty. The blue Roaming trim pays tribute to the cyberpunk-style sci-fi world to mimic the limitless virtual possibilities of future technologies.

Finally, the Party Sweetheart rounds the range off by honoring simulation games. It's not too clear on which titles this refers to but it says that the coffee and khaki shades aim to translate "a different sweet and cool style." Enhancing usability, Wuling confirms that the Game Boy range will be sold with two bigger battery options, giving the miniature EV a claimed battery range of 124 and 186 miles.

China's Cheapest EV Is For Oldschool Gamers

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China's Cheapest EV Is For Oldschool Gamers

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