Bestune Yueyi 08 Debuts as a Big Electrified Sedan With a Surprisingly Low Price
Bestune Yueyi 08 gives FAW a large budget sedan with Huawei-assisted driving, EV and range-extender powertrains, and equipment usually found in far more expensive cars.
FAW is expanding its Bestune lineup with the new Yueyi 08, a large electrified sedan positioned as the flagship of the Yueyi family. The model follows the smaller Yueyi 03 crossover and gives the brand a more ambitious entry in China’s fast-growing market for affordable smart EVs.
The Yueyi 08 has a sleek sedan profile with a strong focus on aerodynamics. FAW claims a drag coefficient of just 0.198, helped by smooth body surfacing, flush door handles and a low, stretched silhouette. The front end uses complex split-level lighting, while the rear features a narrow full-width light bar and large FAW lettering.
In terms of size, the Yueyi 08 is closer to an executive sedan than a compact family car. It measures 4,920 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,475 mm tall, with a 2,900 mm wheelbase. Buyers can choose between 18- and 19-inch wheels, while six exterior colors are planned.
Technology is one of the sedan’s main selling points. The car is equipped with 27 cameras and sensors, including lidar, supporting Huawei’s Qiankun driver-assistance system. That gives the Yueyi 08 a level of electronic hardware rarely seen at this price point.
The cabin follows a minimalist layout with very few physical controls. The driver gets an oval steering wheel and an 8.8-inch instrument display positioned close to the windshield. A 15.6-inch central touchscreen runs Bestune’s Ruyi OS interface on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P processor.
Equipment is also generous. The Yueyi 08 offers a panoramic roof, power-adjustable front seats, heating, ventilation and massage for all seats, wireless charging, ambient lighting and a 23-speaker audio system. FAW also says the cabin has 31 storage compartments.
The luggage compartment holds 618 liters, expanding to 1,794 liters with the rear seats folded. That makes practicality one of the car’s stronger arguments, especially considering its price.
Bestune will offer the Yueyi 08 with two electrified powertrain types. The range-extender version uses a 1.5-liter petrol engine only as a generator. It produces 95 hp, but does not drive the wheels directly. Propulsion comes from a rear electric motor with 275 hp and 300 Nm.
This version uses a 27.8 kWh battery and can travel up to 240 km on electric power alone. Combined range with fuel and battery is claimed at 1,765 km, while acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 6.4 seconds.
The fully electric Yueyi 08 uses the same rear motor but gets larger batteries. The base EV has a 59.04 kWh pack and offers 565 km of range. The higher version uses a 70.5 kWh battery with an 800-volt architecture and increases range to 650 km.
Performance is slightly different between the two EVs. The smaller-battery version reaches 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, while the larger-battery car cuts that to 5.9 seconds. All versions have the same top speed of 185 km/h.
Pricing is the most aggressive part of the package. In China, the electric Yueyi 08 starts from 105,000 yuan, or about $15,500. The long-range EV starts from 135,000 yuan, around $20,000, while the range-extender version begins at 115,000 yuan, roughly $17,000.
With the Yueyi 08, FAW is clearly trying to offer big-sedan space, advanced driver-assistance hardware and long-range electrified power at a price normally associated with much smaller cars.
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