The Arcfox Alpha T7, available with extended-range and battery-electric powertrains, in an official promotional image. Credit: Arcfox.
- Arcfox Alpha T7 starts at 137,800 yuan ($20,330) in pre-sales after subsidies, with extended-range and battery-electric options.
- Pre-orders topped 30,000 within 72 hours of pre-sales opening.
Arcfox, the electric vehicle brand under BAIC Group, will launch the Alpha T7 on September 16, counting on the SUV (sport utility vehicle) aimed at the mainstream market to boost sales.
Local automotive outlet Auto Home reported the schedule on Tuesday, September 8. Arcfox has yet to announce the launch date through its official channels, saying only on Weibo that the first batch of Alpha T7 display vehicles has arrived at dealerships nationwide.
Pre-sales began on August 26, with prices ranging from 137,800 yuan ($20,330) to 174,800 yuan after subsidies.
Arcfox previously said orders topped 30,000 within 72 hours of pre-sales opening.
Positioned as a mid-to-large SUV, the Alpha T7 comes in 9 rear-wheel-drive variants, including 4 extended-range versions and 5 battery-electric options.
The price range is among the most competitive in China. Automakers are using larger bodies, driver-assistance features and high-voltage fast charging to attract families with budgets below 200,000 yuan.
The Alpha T7 measures 5,020 mm in length, with a 3,040 mm wheelbase and a coupe-style SUV silhouette. The trunk offers 645 liters of space, expanding to 1,845 liters with the rear seats folded.
All battery-electric variants use an 800-volt platform and a 227 kW motor. The entry-level 650 Plus has a 75.4 kWh battery and a CLTC range of 650 kilometers. The other versions use an 84.8 kWh battery for a range of 715 kilometers.
The extended-range versions combine a 1.5-liter range extender with a 200 kW motor and a 43.9 kWh battery, delivering a CLTC battery-only range of 320 kilometers and a combined range of 1,315 kilometers.
The model’s key selling points center on technology from 3 suppliers. It will offer the Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 Pro driver-assistance system, with 27 sensors, including a concealed LiDAR unit.
The system is not standard across the lineup, however. Specifications on the official website show that the 4 variants bearing the Qiankun name feature ADS 5 Pro and a cabin-mounted LiDAR unit.
Some non-Qiankun versions use BAIC’s in-house Yuanjing driver-assistance system and a roof-mounted LiDAR unit. The entry-level extended-range 1315 Plus lists no branded driver-assistance system and has no LiDAR.
CATL (HKEX: 3750) supplies battery cells for all variants. Magna helped tune the chassis, which features continuously variable damping (CDC) shock absorbers.
The Alpha T7 is Arcfox’s flagship model this year and was previously displayed at the Chengdu Auto Show. For a brand that has long lagged in sales, it represents a key effort to build scale.
Arcfox launched the Beta T1 small EV with a limited-time starting price of 62,800 yuan ($9,290).
($1 = 6.7769 yuan)
