CarteaNewsChinese CarsJMC YiChi 05S: China’s Long-Range Electric SUV Launches With Futuristic Design and 610 KM Range at a Surprisingly Low Price

JMC YiChi 05S: China’s Long-Range Electric SUV Launches With Futuristic Design and 610 KM Range at a Surprisingly Low Price

Tamara Chalak
Tamara Chalak
2025-10-12
contents

The Chinese electric vehicle landscape keeps surprising the world—and this time, it’s JMC (Jiangling Motors) taking center stage. Its new all-electric compact SUV, the YiChi 05S, is set to make waves when it officially launches in China on October 16, 2025. Backed by JMC’s electric division JMEV, this model shows off a sleek design, cutting-edge digital interior, and performance numbers that rival vehicles twice its price. With ranges of up to 610 kilometers per charge and starting at just 103,800 yuan (≈54,000 SAR), the YiChi 05S looks ready to redefine what “affordable long-range EV” really means.

Key Highlights

  • Model: JMC YiChi 05S (All-electric compact SUV)

  • Launch date: October 16, 2025 (China)

  • Available variants: 5 trims

  • Price range: 103,800 – 133,800 yuan (≈54,000 – 69,700 SAR)

  • Max Range: 610 km WLTP-equivalent

  • Motor: Single front-mounted unit with 224 hp

  • Batteries: 56.31 kWh (500 km range) / 70.38 kWh (610 km range)

  • Fast charging + reverse power capability up to 6.6 kW

Exterior Design – Sporty Elegance Meets Electric Identity

The YiChi 05S blends style and aerodynamics through a futuristic closed grille framed by a sleek black upper bar housing a full-width LED daytime strip. The split headlight setup dominates the front fascia, while a large lower grille channel adds an athletic personality. From the side, its fastback coupe-like shape and 19-inch alloy wheels emphasize both sportiness and efficiency. The sculpted lines flow backward into an aerodynamically tapered rear, giving it proportions typical of premium EVs.

Color palette (6 exterior tones): Polar White, Gloss Black, Mountain Purple, Stone Gray, Smoky Blue, Sky Blue.

Dimensions:

  • Length: 4,640 mm

  • Width: 1,870 mm

  • Height: 1,685 mm

  • Wheelbase: 2,770 mm

  • Trunk capacity: 450 liters

Each cue highlights JMC’s aim to produce an EV with elegance, agility, and efficiency—engineered for modern urban families.

Interior and Technology – Minimalism Meets Function

Inside, the YiChi 05S continues the futuristic language with a gray velvet cabin theme that strikes a fine balance between digital sophistication and driver-centric ergonomics.

Central to the dashboard is a 14.6-inch floating touchscreen supporting voice control and cloud-connected OTA updates. Beneath it sits a rotary drive selector for choosing drive modes, accompanied by a wireless charging pad for smartphones.

The 9.2-inch digital driver display sits behind a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, surrounded by soft-touch plastics and refined stitching throughout.

Comfort and ADAS systems:

  • Electronically adjustable seats across all variants

  • Higher trims feature L2-level advanced driver assistance such as:

    • Adaptive cruise control

    • Lane-keeping assist

    • Automatic emergency braking

    • Forward collision warning

    • Blind spot monitoring

Powertrain and Driving Dynamics

At its core, the YiChi 05S houses a single front-mounted electric motor producing 165 kW (224 hp) and 210 Nm torque, which propels the SUV from 0–100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds.

Depending on variant, buyers can pick between:

  • 56.31 kWh battery: up to 500 km range

  • 70.38 kWh battery: up to 610 km range

The vehicle supports bidirectional power output (3.3 or 6.6 kW) to run external devices or even charge other EVs. Underneath, a MacPherson front suspension and a multi-link rear setup strike a balance between road comfort and high-speed control.

Smart Features and Connectivity

The JMC YiChi 05S mirrors flagship-level smart systems, integrating both digital intelligence and user interaction across all trims.

Key highlights include:

  • AI-driven smart voice assistant (multi-command recognition)

  • OTA (Over-the-Air) updates for system and feature upgrades

  • Seamless driver-car interaction interface

  • Intelligent climate control & eco environmental monitoring

  • Personalized drive mode profiles and digital theme selection

Market Positioning and Rivals

The YiChi 05S is engineered to attract customers looking for a compact EV SUV with long range and an economy-friendly price. Its main competitors include Aion Y, BYD Yuan Plus, and Changan Qiyuan Q05, but JMC differentiates itself with higher equipment levels and extended mileage at a lower overall cost.

This indicates JMC’s ambition to position its YiChi sub-brand as one of China’s next-generation benchmarks for affordable electric mobility—combining attractive design, robust performance, and high perceived value.

Real-World Case Study – The Everyday Driver’s View

Imagine a young professional living in Guangzhou. He commutes daily 40 km each way and takes weekend trips of around 150 km. Owning an EV like the YiChi 05S means no range anxiety: he can go for an entire week without a recharge, enjoy responsive power delivery similar to a gasoline car, and save monthly on fuel costs. Where previous budget EVs compromised on comfort, this model delivers high-end space, voice-controlled tech, and driver assistance that turns everyday drives into smooth experiences.

Specifications at a Glance

Specification

JMC YiChi 05S

Motor Power

165 kW (224 hp)

Torque

210 Nm

Acceleration (0–100 km/h)

8.9 seconds

Drive System

FWD

Battery

56.31 / 70.38 kWh

Range (CLTC)

500 – 610 km

Charging Reverse Power

3.3 / 6.6 kW

Trunk Volume

450 L

Wheelbase

2,770 mm

Suspension Setup

MacPherson front / Multi-link rear

ADAS Level

L2 (higher trims)

Wheels

19-inch alloys

Launch Price Range

103,800–133,800 yuan (≈54K–69.7K SAR)

A Defining Step for JMC’s EV Strategy

According to Chinese Cars Network, the YiChi 05S is a pivotal milestone in JMC’s electrification roadmap. It showcases how Chinese automakers have matured beyond affordability—they now blend efficiency, digital innovation, and cutting-edge design at remarkable value. This new SUV reinforces JMC’s long-term push into global EV prominence by offering practical luxury within budget reach.

The JMC YiChi 05S stands out as a refined and well-balanced electric compact SUV. Combining technology, comfort, long range, and affordability, it sets a new pace for what consumers can expect from the Chinese EV market. Looking ahead, this model could easily become one of JMC’s best-selling vehicles of 2025, ushering in an era where style, smarts, and sustainability come together seamlessly on four wheels.

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Tamara ChalakTamara Chalak
Chief editor information:

Tamara is an editor who has been working in the automotive field for over 3 years. She is also an automotive journalist and presenter; she shoots car reviews and tips on her social media platforms. She has a translation degree, and she also works as a freelance translator, copywriter, voiceover artist, and video editor. She’s taken automotive OBD Scanner and car diagnosis courses, and she’s also worked as an automotive sales woman for a year, in addition to completing an internship with Skoda Lebanon for 2 months. She also has been in the marketing field for over 2 years, and she also create social media content for small businesses.