BAIC has given its cheapest electric car a facelift only nine months after it launched, an unusually fast turnaround that points to how quickly China’s budget EV class moves. The car keeps its T1 designation but gains a fuller name: Arcfox Beta T1.
Bigger than before
The body grows to 4,375 mm long, 38 mm more than the car it replaces, on an unchanged 2,770 mm wheelbase. Width is 1,860 mm. Ground clearance depends on wheel size: 153 mm on the 17-inch wheels, or 181 mm on the optional 18-inch set.
Two batteries, a third on the way
A single front-mounted motor produces 129 hp (96 kW). Two lithium battery packs are offered at launch: 36.4 kWh for 350 km of CLTC range, and 42.3 kWh for 450 km. BAIC says a longer-range version good for 550 km will arrive later.
New face, two-tier console
The clearest visual change is at the back, where a single full-width LED light bar replaces the previous pair of square lamps, above a redesigned bumper. The colour palette has been widened. Inside, the earlier floating centre console gives way to a two-tier tunnel design, with an 8.8-inch instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen. Three trim levels are offered, from climate control on the base car up to ventilated seats and automatic emergency braking at the top.
Price
In China the Beta T1 runs from 62,800 to 79,800 yuan, or roughly $9,300 to $11,800. BAIC has not announced the car for export markets.
