JMC Little Kirin: an electric city car for less than €10,000

The electric vehicle market is booming in China, and the Renault group is participating in it with the creation in 2015 of JMEV: a joint venture with the Chinese manufacturer JMC (Jiangling Motors Corporation). From this collaboration were born several products, the latest of which is the Little Kirina 100% electric micro-city car based on the Renault Kwid / Dacia Spring.

Produced in China, the JMC Little Kirin, which is also called EV2 (or Xiaoqilin) ​​at JMEV, measures only 3.5 meters long, 1.65 meters wide and 1.46 meters high. It is distinguished by its sleek design, with compact headlights at the front linked together by a glossy black element, within which is the charging hatch. At the bottom of the front shield, there are several air intakes, and even a stylish shoe to surf the SUV fashion.

JMC Little Kirin : un look compact et moderne

On the sides, there are compact lines as well as 14-inch aluminum wheels with four double spokes, while stylish ribs start on the top of the doors. At the rear, a glazed tailgate is surrounded by two taillights, which are reminiscent of those of the Nissan Micra IV.

Inside, the cabin has a fairly simple style, and enough space to accommodate up to 4 occupants: it nevertheless highlights several technologies, such as its 7 inch touch screen placed in the center of the dashboard, or even a digital instrument cluster. No less than 14 storage spaces on board are claimed by the Chinese firm.

Several colored accents enhance the interior atmosphere: they are found on the door handles, the steering wheel, the outline of the touch screen and the air vents, as well as on the upholstery of the seats. As standard, the Little Kirin is equipped with front airbags, air conditioning, USB ports, two speakers and even rear parking sensors.

Up to 201 km range

Under the hood hides a 35 horsepower electric motor (26 kW) and 84 Nm of torque, allowing the car to be taken to a maximum speed of 100 km/h. The performance has not been announced, but the car weighs only 930 kg. This motor is associated with an LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery with a capacity of 15,86 kWhwhich offers a fairly modest range of 175 km according to the Chinese CLTC cycle, and up to 201km in real conditions according to the Chinese manufacturer: this Little Kirin is undoubtedly intended for the city.

Orders for the Little Kirin are already open in China, at prices ranging from 49,900 to 58,900 yuan, the equivalent ofaround 6,300 to 7,400 euros. The first deliveries are expected for November 2023 in the Middle Kingdom.

There is little chance that this model will reach the European market, but you should never say never: the Renault Kwid, which landed as Dacia Spring in our regions, was a model initially reserved for emerging markets in Asia, from South America and Africa!

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