This little red beauty is not a Jeep. This instead is a Jinpeng X5, not to be confused with the BMW X5. The Jinpeng X5 is a low-speed electric vehicle (LSEV), a very popular segment in China at the moment.
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LSEVs are not allowed on main roads or highways, their maximum speed cannot exceed 50 km/h. But the good thing is: you don’t need a license to drive one, you don’t need a license plate, and in most cities you don’t need insurance either.
The Jinpeng X5 is made by a company called Jinpeng New Energy Vehicles, based in Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. They use the English name of Kingbon.
The X5 seats two adults and two kids/grannies. It has a decent interior for the segment, with a digital instrument panel and a touch screen larger than a Volkswagen’s.
This kind of wrong-kind of vehicle stickers are very common on LSEVs. Most of these LSEV makers used to be electric bicycle makers. They moved up in life! But somewhere in the process the forgot to update their stickers.
Not much room for legs in the back.
The Jinpeng X5 is available in various configurations. The one we have here is the most basic model. It is powered by an electric motor with 4 (four) horsepower, mated to a 60V lead-acid battery. Top speed is 40 kilometers and hour and range is 100 kilometers. Size: 2722/1555/1653, and wheelbase is 1980.
Price of the X5 starts around 15.000 yuan.
The Jinpeng X5 is equipped with a stereo that can play MP3 files. This particular car is painted in a shade called ‘China Red’.
There is a small trunk at the back, but it is more a notchback than a sedan. The ‘license plate’ with the character 电 (dian) for electric. Eight is a lucky number in China, and this X5 has five of ‘m.
The front is very Jeep Cherokee. And don’t think Jinpeng is trying to hide that. On the contrary, look what I found on their English-language website:
Fashion Jeep design! The 150 km range refers to the top end X5D model, which also has a 45 km/h top speed, instead of just 40.
Have you seen a similar LSEV in China? Show us! You can upload images in the comments below.