AION UT brings a 268-mile range to the supermini
A new electric supermini promising premium features, a spacious interior and a 268-mile range will make its UK public debut this week, as AION prepares to put its latest model firmly on the radar of British car buyers.
The AION UT will be unveiled at the British Motor Show in Farnborough from 21 to 23 August, alongside the AION V SUV, which became the brand’s first model to launch in the UK earlier this year. Priced from £28,950, the UT will be available in a single, comprehensively equipped trim level, with order books due to open in September.
Designed in Europe at AION’s styling centre in Milan, the UT is aimed squarely at the increasingly competitive B-segment electric car market. AION says it has been developed to bring features and levels of comfort normally associated with larger and more expensive models into a compact supermini.
Standard equipment includes a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 360-degree surround-view camera. Buyers will also be able to add a £1,200 Premium Pack, which adds a panoramic glass roof, powered tailgate, ventilated driver’s seat and wireless smartphone charging.
Space is another area where AION is looking to differentiate the UT from its rivals. The cabin has been designed to provide generous headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, while 24 storage areas are intended to make everyday practicality a priority. The boot offers 440 litres of capacity and uses a multi-layer design to provide additional flexibility.
Under the skin, the UT is powered by a 60kWh battery, giving it a claimed 268-mile WLTP range. AION says this makes it the longest-range standard version in its segment, while its 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds should give the small EV enough performance to feel lively around town and on faster roads.
AION has also spent time adapting the UT specifically for the UK market. Its British engineering team has undertaken a dedicated chassis tuning programme, with changes made to the springs, dampers and bump stops, alongside a revised anti-roll bar.
The aim is to give the UT a more engaging character without compromising the ride quality expected of an everyday electric supermini. AION says the result is a car with nimble, responsive handling combined with a supple ride capable of dealing with the often less-than-perfect surfaces found on British roads.
“Not only does the UT have an impressive list of standard kit, but it also includes equipment that isn’t available on competitor models,” said Jon Wakefield, Managing Director of AION Auto UK.
The UT also arrives with AION’s Great 8 Promise as standard, which is designed to address one of the major concerns surrounding newer automotive brands: long-term ownership and aftersales support.
The package includes an eight-year warranty, eight years of servicing, eight years of roadside assistance and MOT cover until the vehicle reaches eight years old. The package is VIN-locked to the car rather than the original owner, meaning the benefits remain with the vehicle if it is subsequently sold.
At £28,950, the AION UT will enter a crowded part of the UK EV market, where buyers increasingly expect long range, generous equipment and competitive pricing rather than simply choosing an electric car for its zero-emission credentials.
Its combination of a 268-mile range, 440-litre boot, extensive standard equipment and eight-year ownership package could therefore make the UT an interesting proposition when it arrives in showrooms.
UK buyers will get their first opportunity to see the car at the British Motor Show in Farnborough from 21 to 23 August, with AION expected to begin taking orders in September.