MAEPS, Serdang: WTC Automotif (M) Sdn Bhd (WTCA), a subsidiary of Warisan TC Holdings Bhd, sole distributor of the GAC AION electric vehicles (EVs) brand since January this year, officially launched the 2024 GAC AION Y Plus all-electric crossover model in Malaysia.
Available in ‘Elite’ and ‘Premium’ variants, the company’s debut EV was introduced during Press Day of the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 organised by the Malaysia Automotive Robotics & loT Institute ( MARii ) at MAEPS, Serdang. The GAC AION Y Plus is poised to offer budding Malaysian EV buyers with a slightly different twist to the growing premium EV crossover genre by being the ideal plus one. That’s because the GAC AION Y Plus is more than just a car, it’s the ideal companion to showcase the unique character and style of its owner.
Both were launched with highly accessible price tags of RM119,800.00 (Elite) and RM135,800.00(Premium).
For the Malaysian market, the GAC AION Y Plus is available across seven vibrant exterior colour options plus five exciting interior colourway choices. Altogether, this grants 35 combinations in total for customers to choose from.
Especially for the GAC AION Y Plus model, WTCA will include a comprehensive warranty and after-sales package that promises to make this crossover SUV the ideal plus one for anyone. Included are:
- 8 Years/160,000 KM base vehicle warranty
- 8 Years/200,000 KM EV battery, Drive Motor and Electric Control warranty
In conjunction with its official launch at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, WTCA also devised a tempting exclusive early bird offer for the first 200 bookings of the GAC AION Y Plus. These early adopters will be rewarded with:
- Free 7kW Home Wallbox Charger (worth RM3,500)
- RM1,000 Free JomCharge Charging Credits
Part of these rewards were borne out of new partnerships forged by WTCA with EV Connection Sdn Bhd (“EVC”) – Malaysia’s leading EV Charging Company with an integrated portfolio of hardware supply, installation, operations, and maintenance. EVC is the largest EV charging network provider with over 1,000 chargers nationwide – together with their roaming partners Gentari and ChargEV. EVC is also the first CPO in Malaysia to implement the All New Autocharge Feature and GAC AION Y Plus customers will be among the first to have the
privilege to enjoy such a premium feature. These collaborations were aimed at enhancing access to vehicle charging for customers and, at the same time, provide them with confidence and a seamless charging experience as well.
Additionally, while stocks last, early adopters will also get to choose from two specially curated accessories packages for their purchase of the GAC AION Y Plus. Amongst them are:
- Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Set
A complete set of GAC AION-branded camping set and V2L Cable (for the usage of Premium variant only). This serves as a starter pack for customers with active lifestyles to enjoy an enhanced outdoor experience with an EV.
- “Me-Time” Mobile Theatre Set
GAC AION in-car movie theatre set allows you and your loved one to indulge in a matinee in the spacious comforts of the GAC AION Y Plus powered by its versatile and innovative seat arrangements matched with a comfortable and cooling ambience.
As for deliveries, WTCA will begin delivering the GAC AION Y Plus Elite variant starting June 2024. Deliveries of the higher-end Premium variant will commence from July 2024 onwards.
The arrival of the GAC AION Y Plus on local soil is the latest milestone for WTCA following the official launch of its GAC GS3 EMZOOM premium compact crossover in April this year. This is yet another fruit arising out of the close collaboration between WTCA and GAC Group as both continue to grow the GAC AION EV brand’s presence in Malaysia.
Prior to its official launch, WTCA had already previewed the GAC AION Y Plus in January this year. Speaking in his keynote address at the GAC AION Y Plus launch event, Warisan TC Holdings Bhd Chief Executive Officer Tan Keng Meng again noted the highly positive reception towards the GAC brand amongst Malaysian consumers as a key catalyst for the company.
“We are confident that the specification and package that we have put together for the all new GAC AION Y Plus will meet the expectation of the discerning urbanite and for those seeking the ideal “plus one” will find the All new GAC AION Y Plus very enticing and exciting,” adds Tan.
Also present at the official launch of the GAC AION Y Plus was Ma Haiyang, General Manager of Southeast Asia, GAC AION New Energy Automobile Co. Ltd. “The new GAC AION Y Plus is an EV built to showcase your unique character, and one designed to effortlessly lead a trend. We are also pleased with our collaboration with both WTCA and the Tan Chong Group, and we are confident that they will help grow the GAC AION brand further in Malaysia,” expressed Ma at the launch.
For its exterior design, the GAC AION Y Plus merges both trendy SUV elements with a dash of high-tech intelligence. Key design touches include Angel Wing LED headlights, Skyline through-type LED taillights, powered stow-away door handles, a panoramic sunroof present across both variants, as well as stylish 17-inch (Elite) and 18-inch (Premium) alloy wheels design.
Underpinning the AEP 2.0 dedicated EV platform, said construct also houses GAC’s innovative 63.2 kWh Magazine Battery 2.0. With each full charge, this lithium iron phosphate (LFP) type battery is capable at delivering up to 490 KM (NEDC) of driving range. As for charging, the both 6.6 KW AC (Type 2) and up to 80 kW DC fast-charging (CCS2) inputs are accepted.
The ‘Magazine Battery 2.0’, in addition to being energy dense, sees its construction and housing stand as one of the world’s safest designs for energy stores as such. Part of its development saw the design being subjected to rigorous tests, including a shooting experiment using high-calibre, military-grade ballistics. In the said exercise, the battery was pierced through, but it did not
explode or catch fire, highlighting its unique and safe design.
Both the Elite and Premium variants share the same front-mounted e-motor rated at 150 kW (204 PS) and 225 NM that drive the front wheels. This setup grants the GAC AION Y Plus with respectably zippy performance as demonstrated by its 0-100 KM/H acceleration time of 8.5 seconds. Crucially, the e-motor is also endowed with class-leading versatility thanks to the offer of up to four selectable driving modes that also includes an ‘i-Pedal’ single-pedal driving mode.
On board, the GAC AION Y Plus offers both drivers and passengers not just a class-leading spacious cabin, it is also richly brimmed with upmarket amenities and features to suit almost any urban lifestyle needs. Key highlights include a six-way power-adjustable driver seat, 10.25-inch digital instrumentation, keyless entry, automatic climate control with dedicated rear vents plus built-in PM2.5 air filter, and a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment offering various connectivity functions on top of Apple CarPlay function.
Exclusively primed in the Premium variant are notable additions such as driver seat ventilation, power-adjustable front passenger seat, wireless smartphone charging pad, as well as a 32-colour Ambient lighting suite with music mode. As for practicality, split-folding rear seats enables boot space expansion from 405 litres up to a maximum of 1,200 litres, and the Premium variant adds convenient access to which via a hands-free powered tailgate.
Like its style and tech, safety is also kept at a high level in the GAC AION Y Plus. At the core of which are the presence of six airbags lining the cabin, along with anti-lock braking system (ABS), Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), Hill-Hold Control (HHC), 360-degree View Monitor, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), all primed as standard across both variants.
Exclusively equipped in the Premium variant are a barrage of Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS) features that enable Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. Included here are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go function and Intelligent Cruise Assist, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane-Departure Warning (LDW) with Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA), as well as Traffic Jam Assist (TJA).
Both WTCA and GAC AION acknowledged the importance of an after-sales infrastructure network to better support its customers. Ahead of today’s launch, the firm spent the last four months establishing its network of 21 new showrooms and service centres nationwide, and more are set to become operational within this year.
