A blend of the Porsche Macan and Alpine A390 but at the price of a compact car in Europe: that’s the electric SUV from CATL and Seres

CATL, the battery giant, is playing an increasingly important role in the development of electric cars. Its involvement in the new Aiva brand, also backed by Seres, is taking shape through an SUV that stands out for its design. The Aiva ME7 combines features reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and Alpine A390, though its target market positioning aims for a much more affordable segment in its home market.

The project has taken another step toward commercialization with the model appearing in the records of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. These documents reveal its dimensions and mechanical specifications, but key aspects such as battery capacity, range, and final price remain unspecified. Current reports suggest that orders will open in early 2027.

A nearly five-meter SUV with up to 571 horsepower

The similarity to European models is a matter of design. The headlights and the front styling recall the Porsche Macan electric, while the sloping roof, rear fenders, and driver seat arrangement evoke the Alpine A390. The result is a sports-oriented SUV that aims to stand out from the more square-shaped bodies typical of large family vehicles.

Its final homologation dimensions are considerable: 5.00 meters long, 2.00 meters wide, and 1.62 meters high, with a wheelbase of 3.05 meters. These figures classify it as a large-sized model, although its interior will accommodate five passengers. Various tire options, a black roof, and red brake calipers are also available, along with the possibility of adding a tow hitch.

Inside, details are still missing to assess aspects such as available space, trunk capacity, and the ease of use for its controls. Aiva has presented artificial intelligence as one of the pillars of its proposal and announced a partnership with Volcano Engine, affiliated with ByteDance, to develop interior functions. We will have to wait until the final car is unveiled to see how this technology enhances daily use.

Under the mechanical aspect, there will be a version with a rear engine producing 270 kW (367 HP) and another with all-wheel drive that will add a front engine of 150 kW (204 HP). The latter will achieve a combined power output of 420 kW (571 HP). Both configurations are rated at a top speed of 255 km/h, though their acceleration times have not yet been released.

The weight will also be high. The rear-wheel-drive version will weigh between 2,295 and 2,370 kg, while the dual-motor version will range from 2,425 to 2,480 kg, depending on the configuration. These figures need to be kept in mind once fuel consumption and range are known: while strong power output can deliver good performance, efficiency will be another factor determining its appeal.

The batteries will be supplied by CATL, although their capacity and certified range have not yet been announced. We also do not know the power output or charging times. The involvement of this Chinese manufacturer is particularly interesting given discussions to include Aiva in its battery swapping network, an option that would allow utilization of a shared infrastructure rather than building an exclusive network from scratch.

This approach could also pave the way for separating the purchase of the car from the battery through a subscription. This would reduce the initial outlay, though it would require adding the cost associated with usage. For now, reports indicate negotiations to integrate into CATL’s ecosystem, so it remains to be seen how this proposal will be implemented in the ME7.

The other major question is the price. Aiva has announced that its range will target the Chinese market at around 27,000 euros at the exchange rate. This is a competitive figure in China, but completely unthinkable in Europe, where we can get a compact car at that price without many extras.

If it manages to stay near that range, the ME7 will offer an impressive combination of size and power at a price far lower than that of the European models it resembles. But the decisive aspects of the offering remain unknown: battery, range, equipment, and the price of each version. There is also information about its potential international launch, although there is no confirmed price or timeline for Europe yet.