While Chinese auto brands seem intent on taking a slice of the Tesla Model Y’s pie with their own electric SUVs, Skywell has turned to hot hatches for its next model. Revealed at the Paris motor show last month, the Skywell Q is an electric hatchback with an impressive equipment list and eye-catching – if not slightly unbelievable – performance credentials. Jack Puzin, CEO of Skywell’s local importer EV Automotive, was in Paris for its unveiling and told CarExpert he hopes it can be sold in Australia, but has no official release timing for the Q as yet.
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The Skywell Q measures 4297mm long, 1836mm wide and 1536mm high, putting it within a few centimetres of the Cupra Born – one of the few electric vehicles (EVs) that could be considered as a derivative of the hot hatch formula. A single front-mounted electric motor provides up to 150kW, which Skywell claims can deliver a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.9 seconds.
That claim is hard to believe, given the Born is rear-wheel drive (aiding traction) and has 20kW more power, but takes a claimed 7.0 seconds to hit 100km/h from a standstill. Skywell hasn’t detailed battery capacities for the Q, though it’s said the larger of its two packs on offer would deliver more than 480km of driving range, and be capable of charging from 10 to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes.
Confirmed features include 18-inc.