Chinese carmaker Aion has spearheaded its entry to the UK with the debut of the Aion V all-electric SUV.

Priced from £36,450, the Aion V enters the rapidly growing electric family SUV sector and is aimed squarely at rivals such as the BYD Atto 3, Škoda Elroq and Kia EV3.

Based in Guangzhou, Aion is the electric vehicle subsidiary of the state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group), which was founded in the 1950s and is one of China’s largest auto manufacturers.

Ahead of the V’s launch, the brand has been building out its leadership team, and debuts in the UK in partnership with Jameel Motors, the brand behind Farizon’s electric van launch in the UK, which is developing a dealer network.

The Aion V’s proposition centres around claimed class-leading range, space, cabin quality and an eight-year package of “confidence-inspiring support” across the vehicle’s warranty, servicing, roadside assistance and MOT.

It’s available with one battery size, motor output and trim level. The 75.3kWh LFP battery gives 317 miles of WLTP combined range and can charge at up to 180kW, enabling a 30-80% charge in 18 minutes.

The battery feeds a single, front-mounted electric motor delivering 204hp and 240Nm of torque, good for a 0-62mph time of around 7.9 seconds.

Exterior design features include 19-inch alloy wheels, a choice of either Wilderness Sand metallic or Arctic White pearlescent paint as standard, with a choice of three further metallic colours (Galaxy Blue, Night Shadow Black and Sea Fluorescent Grey) for an additional £675.

The cabin centres around a “surprisingly spacious and refined business-class interior” and comes with a full-length panoramic roof, double-glazed front windows and multi-shade ambient lighting.

Drivers get electrically adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, while there’s heated reclining rear seats. Other tech includes wireless smartphone charging and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with permanent soft keys for climate, seating and volume buttons; a virtual assistant offering zonal voice control of key settings and functions; and a nine-speaker 360-watt premium audio system.

A Premium Pack (£1,495) adds leather seating, a 6.6-litre CoolHot Box, massage front seats, and a sturdy rear seatback tray table, plus the option to upgrade to an additional exterior paint colour (Holographic Silver; £675), or one of two additional interior colour themes (French Cream or Bright Tan; both £195).

The V is also designed for versatility, with wide opening doors, smart tailgate opening, a three-tier boot system with up to 472 litres of space, and a Lounge mode for chaise-longue seating.

Aion promises a driving experience optimised for the UK with specially calibrated and refined suspension set-up for British driving habits and roads.

The brand has also launched the ‘Aion Great 8’ customer proposition for eight years’ peace-of-mind on warranty, servicing, MOT and roadside assistance. The package is locked to the car’s VIN, so whether registered to a fleet, privately purchased or leased, each Aion V registered in the UK gets the same support. The package is fully transferable, meaning that the value of the package extends up to the eighth year from first registration, regardless of ownership cycle.

A Jameel Motors flagship Aion retail showroom in Slough will open at the end of May along with the first wave of sites that will grow to make a nationwide franchised retail network.

As Aion’s dealers network develops, customers will be supported through a partnership with the AA. This will give customers access to the AA’s nationwide network of workshops and over 100 mobile service technicians for servicing, maintenance and repair. A collaboration with DHL gives the assurance of nationwide next-day delivery from Aion’s Bury St Edmunds parts hub.

Former Volvo MD Jon Wakefield, who heads up the UK team as managing director, said: “The Aion V is a segment-busting product in its own right with fantastic space, quality, features, and class-best range and charging. But we know that trust is hard-earned, so we’ve worked tirelessly to wrap the product in a confidence-inspiring package that makes for effortless purchase and effortless ownership.

“With an exceptional car, expert partners and the best customer experience, our commitment to driving a new standard will attract customers to the Aion brand. The Aion V is an incredibly strong first step on our journey.”