Evolute i-Joy became the first mass-produced electric crossover made in Russia.
Let it be formal. Indeed, several dozen parts and assemblies of a fully finished car are now being hung in China at the Motorinvest plant. It’s even hard to call it a non-SKD assembly.
Although there will be a full cycle production in the future — with welding and body painting.
His name was Dongfeng
Evolute i-Joy, like all our new products, comes from China. In the past life, it was called Dongfeng E3 or Seres 3, in foreign markets.
This Chinese brand has not been loosened with us. But there are no complaints about the build quality (and today there is practically nothing Russian in this concept). The crossover is neatly assembled, the body panels do not run, the color is even.
The design of i-Joy cannot be called refined, but it does not cause rejection either. There is a useful option for Russia – a built-in video recorder.
Instead of a Hyundai Creta?
The 4385mm Evolute i-Joy is in the same size class as Creta. B-segment crossovers — our most popular format.
But the drive, according to Chinese traditions, is only in the front. According to the price list, the Lipetsk electric car costs 3.5 million rubles. Discount under the state subsidy program — 925 thousand rubles.
And as it turns out, the i-Joy is really comparable in price to the other Korean (already former) bestsellers. Or, for example, as a medium-sized Haval Jolion.
Good suspension, strange equipment
The Evolute i-Joy is pleasant to drive: rapid acceleration of about 10 seconds to hundreds of energy-intensive suspension.
The top speed is limited to 160 km/h. Driving faster will drain the battery too much.
But the controls of the i-Joy are obscure – it would be nice to work with the settings.
And the configuration doesn’t quite make sense. On an electric car, where every watt of energy counts, the headlight is halogen. LEDs are ten times more efficient.
The steering wheel has no heating or even a reach adjustment. It’s good that the eco-leather front seats are ‘warm’: heating is not provided on the younger i-Pro.
The parlor is cute. There are no serious errors in ergonomics. But you can find fault, for example, with a platform for a smartphone with low sides – in corners the gadget flies out of a niche.
Electrical interiors
The electric motor delivers 130 kW (176 hp) and 225 Nm of torque. Under the floor is a lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide battery with a capacity of 53 kWh. The declared power reserve is 405 km.
In quiet city mode, at positive temperatures, the Evolute should cover about 350 km. But in winter, the mileage on a fully charged battery is unlikely to exceed 300 km.
And this under the condition that a diesel antifreeze heater is installed in front of the saloon heater (option). Without it, the declared power reserve will drop at least twice.
Two passengers in the second row at ease. The third is superfluous here, despite the presence of a headrest in the center.
What’s next?
The first Russian electric crossover has enough small flaws – both in the settings and in the list of equipment offered.
But actually a pre-production car came to our test. And some flaws certainly won’t show up on the first cars that get to buyers.
The manufacturer will gradually eliminate other shortcomings as the level of localization increases. And in the process of further adapting the model to our conditions together with Chinese partners.
Nominated for the Grand Prix “Behind the wheel”
To participate in the Grand Prix “Behind the wheel” — 2023 new models are allowed, that is, those that appeared in 2022 or replaced the generation. Especially if it’s new — the first electric crossover assembled in Russia. Like for example Evolute i-Joy.
The novelty is comparable in size and price to the recent bestseller Hyundai Creta. But in terms of filling and performance, the Russian model is significantly different.
The new Russian crossover to replace the “Koreans” – what is its function?