And they confirm their new naming strategy.
Chinese EV startup Byton has unveiled a second concept car, previewing a second model in its lineup that’s due most likely in 2020. Dubbed the ‘K-Byte,’ the company also took the opportunity to unveil its new naming strategy, with the SUV we’re familiar with taking on the name ‘M-Byte.’
The company recently secured a US$500-million (or $660-mil) investment by Chinese concern FAW, bolstering Byton’s capability to reach production this year with its SUV. The Byton K-Byte concept was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show Asia in Shanghai, not far from their headquarters and manufacturing facility in Nanjing. The goal is to produce some 300,000 cars annually from that factory, once it comes online.
The nearly 5-metre long saloon features LIDAR sensors rather prominently, built into the front fenders and the roof, in what is one of the most unique arrangements we’ve seen to date. Chief designer Benoit Jacob explained:
“You don’t have to hide sensors, but you can definitely stage them. This will ensure the saloon concept is suitable for the future.” — Benoit Jacob, Chief Designer, Byton
Further exterior features include the dynamic, animated grille that we first saw in the M-Byte SUV. The K-Byte saloon is an important model for Byton not just because the saloon market remains very healthy in China, but also for the company to prove that it knows what it needs to do to convince the market of its viability.
“If you do an SUV first and ten are able to show a sedan on the same platform, you really understand how to use platform technology.” — Carsten Breitfeld, CEO, Byton
The cabin is also expected to feature the same full-width touchscreen as the M-Byte SUV, as well as the steering-wheel integrated touchscreen display.
There were no mention of powertrains or battery capacities, though considering the modularity of Byton’s design, we can expect to see similar setups as previewed in the SUV. There’ll be a rear-drive M-Byte with 177kW, and an all-wheel drive with 350kW, so we’re pretty sure the saloon will offer the same. While the 350kW powertrain would make it one of the fastest EVs on offer, Byton is keen to stress that they’re not about century sprint times, and more about the evolutionary changes we’re experiencing insofar as the motorcar is concerned.
Range is also a big question mark with the K-Byte, but we don’t expect them to wander too far from the 400km minimum and 520km maximum range offered by the entry-level and top-end variants of the M-Byte SUV.
Stay tuned to CarShowroom as we bring you more updates as they come.
