BEIJING: China's answer to the Mercedes EQS was launched on Tuesday.
The Stelato S9 is a joint venture project between tech company Huawei and BAIC Motor.
According to carsnewschina.com, the S9 offers both single-motor and dual-motor variants, with maximum power outputs of 227 kW and 385 kW, respectively. The single motor S9 Max is rear-wheel driven and can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 5.98s, while the dual motor S9 Ultra does it in 3.9s.
Prices are 399,800 yuan (RM250,000) for the S9 Max, while the S9 Ultra is priced at 449,800 yuan (RM282,000)
Under Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), it provides key software and components for the S9, while BAIC manages the platform and production.
Huawei has used a similar approach with other carmakers such as Chery, JAC and Seres.
The S9 features an 800V architecture and a 100 kWh battery, delivering ranges of up to 816 km on the CLTC cycle for the single-motor model and 721 km for the dual-motor model. It can gain a 200km range with just a five-minute charge. The battery is jointly developed by Huawei and CATL.
Design-wise, the S9 continues the aesthetic of the Luxeed S7 and Aito M9, showcasing a minimalist exterior with a full-width light strip and aerodynamic features such as diamond-process headlamps and a low drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.193. Huawei said the S9 has the lowest of any production luxury sedan in the world. For comparison, the EQS has a Cd of 0.20.
The vehicle’s dimensions are 5,160 mm in length, 1,987 mm in width, and 1,486 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm. It also features frameless doors, a sleek roofline, and smart electronic side mirrors to reduce blind spots by 60%. Boot and frunk spaces are 378-litres and 38 litres respectively.
Inside, the S9 is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen. It includes amenities like 50-watt wireless charging, tablet integration, and HarmonyOS 4.
The zero-gravity seats are wrapped in Nappa leather and offer heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Rear passengers can enjoy a 13.2-inch Huawei tablet or a 32-inch in-car projector screen, with additional Type-C ports and wireless charging spots.
The S9 features advanced air suspension, adaptive damping control, and multiple driving modes for a customisable ride experience.
It is also equipped with Huawei ADS 3.0, a sophisticated autonomous driving system with enhanced safety features, including collision avoidance, adaptive emergency braking, and a 192-line LiDAR system. This system supports comprehensive autonomous driving and auto parking functions.
In its report, carsnewschina.com said Stelato aims to sell 120,000 units of the luxury electric car annually.
The ambitious target comes in the wake of the success of Huawei’s Aito brand (another HIMA project), which sold 181,197 vehicles in the first half of 2024, highlighting the potential for the S9 to achieve substantial market presence as well.
