First pictures of the Youxia Ranger X reveal how the forthcoming Chinese-made electric car is almost a complete copy of the Tesla Model S.
The tendency for copying designs in China was most recently noted with the Land Wind X7, a vehicle remarkably similar in shape to the Range Rover Evoque.
The boss of Jaguar Land Rover Ralf Speth has said that companies are “powerless” when it comes to confronting the issue. This was demonstrated by Chinese courts throwing out JLR’s challenge against the X7.
Chinese car designers also refute the charge. Changan design boss said: “We have a lot of copycats but we also have a lot of audacious designs. The truth is that car designs are becoming more and more homogenous.”
The Ranger X saloon runs on an electric motor developing 352bhp and 325lb ft and features an underfloor battery pack. It has a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.6sec and, in top-spec format, offers a range of 286 miles.
According to Youxia, it deploys tech used in the BMW i3 and the Model S and its handling has been developed by “the world’s leading engineering companies”.
On the safety front, the car includes lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
Inside, there’s a large central monitor, much like the Tesla’s, and symposers to make its engine note sound like other cars.
The owner of Youxia is said to be an avid fan of the 1980s TV programme Knight Rider. Indeed, the company's name, Youxia, is reported to be the show’s title in China. But that’s not all. The Ranger’s front bumper even has an LCD panel that can reproduce the effect of the Knight Rider car’s lights and the infotainment operating system is called Kitt.
Reports in China suggest that the car will be sold from around $32,000 (about £20,497). In the UK, the Tesla Model S costs £45,800 including the government's £5000 EV grant.
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