The AION Hyptec HT has arguably the coolest passenger doors on the market today, but you might want to stick to the regular variant instead.
The AION Hyptec HT isn’t a typo, but a deliberate blend of “Hyper” and “Technology”, presumably the result of a long night between GAC’s marketing and engineering departments. Distributed here by VINCAR EV, the HT marks the top end of the AION portfolio.
At first glance, its design is rather restrained. Sure, our test unit’s retina-scorching orange hue might catch your eye, but squint past the techy bits and the silhouette is familiar.
Almost too familiar.
From the rear, it looks like it borrowed notes from the XPeng G6, though with a longer 2,935mm wheelbase that quietly signals something a little more substantial.
And then, it winks at you and lifts its arms.
Yes, the Hyptec HT’s pièce de résistance is a pair of full-sized, motorised gull wing doors at the rear. Watch them unfold like something out of Tony Stark’s garage and try not to be impressed.
They shoot up over 2.3 metres high, require just 34 centimetres of lateral clearance, and use no fewer than 12 sensors to make sure you don’t kamikaze into the car beside you. If drama had a daily driver, this would be it.
However, they are agonisingly slow to open, all the while attracting bewildered stares from passersby. If you prioritise rear passenger efficiency, stick to the regular doors instead.
Boot space is a cavernous 672 litres with all seats up, easily swallowing a couple of big suitcases and a few shopping bags. Fold the seats flat, and you get over 1,800 litres of flat-floor cargo capacity.
There’s even an underfloor storage area for odds and ends, because even the flashy know the value of being practical.
Inside, the Hyptec HT does its best impression of a boutique hotel lobby. It’s all Nappa leather, tasteful wood trim, and hush-quiet panels.
The centre stack is anchored by a 14.6-inch touchscreen that controls nearly every function you can think of, from climate control to massage settings, driving modes to door operations. There’s even a built-in app to help you hunt down charging stations when your range anxiety creeps in.
The rest of the layout is pleasingly minimalist. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster provides just the essentials, while a wireless phone charger and secret cubby holes keep the clutter away. Audiophiles will appreciate the 22-speaker Dolby Atmos setup.
Apple users get wireless CarPlay support, but Android folks might be left feeling a bit snubbed without native Android Auto support.
Rear-seat passengers get the best deal in the house. The seats recline up to 143 degrees, come with extendable footrests and trays, and offer limo-like legroom.
It’s the kind of comfort that makes you wonder if the front seats are just for show.
Underneath, the Hyptec HT rides on GAC’s latest AEP 3.0 platform, which supports 800V charging architecture.
The 83.3kWh battery supports up to 280kW of DC fast charging, which will juice you from 10 to 70% in just 15 minutes. Max range is just over 500km on a full charge.
Performance is brisk, not ballistic. With 250kW (about 335bhp) and 430Nm sent to the rear wheels, the HT does 0 to 100km/h in just under six seconds.
It’s more than enough shove for daily traffic and highway merges, and with its elliptically contoured steering wheel and seamless one-pedal driving, the transition from petrol to electric is as smooth as its ride.
On the software front, the latest ADiGo OS handles driver assistance duties with a tech-savvy confidence.
Pop-up alerts, directional graphics and all the usual safety goodies are here and work as intended. It feels well-integrated rather than bolted-on, which is high praise.
So, who is the Hyptec HT for?
Well, if you’re the type who likes to make an entrance or wants your car to do it for you, this one’s hard to ignore. The sheer theatre of those doors, the plush cabin, the tech overload. It all adds up to an experience few in this segment can match.
But for those who’d prefer to go easy on the theatrics, the HT Premium trim offers most of the same goodness sans gull wings. A sensible pick, if you don’t need to feel like Bruce Wayne every time you pick up your kids from tuition.
Either way, the Hyptec HT is proof that Chinese electric cars are no longer just about value. They’re about ambition, luxury, and yes, a bit of flair.
And with the Hyptec HT, AION has landed a strong punch in a segment that’s getting more crowded by the month.
Technical Specifications
AION Hyptec HT
Engine: Single Electric Motor
Powertrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 250 kW (335 bhp)
Torque: 430 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A) Reduction Gear
0-100km/h: 5.8 Seconds
Top Speed: 183 km/h
Battery Capacity: 83 kWh
Drive Range: 520 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 5.5 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$226,988 (Premium), S$256,988 (Luxury), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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