A new competitor for luxury electric sedans
Introduction of the Stelato S9
In the luxury electric sedan sector, the Mercedes-Benz EQS dominates, but its prohibitive price leaves room for more affordable alternatives. Stelato, a partnership between Huawei and BAIC, offers such an alternative: the Stelato S9, whose prices have just been announced for the Chinese market.
Stelato S9: a bold ambition
The Stelato S9, unveiled in April 2024, is a 100% electric sedan with great ambitions, aiming to compete with German luxury brands. The result of a partnership between Huawei and several Chinese manufacturers, this car benefits from BAIC’s production expertise, CATL for Avatr, and Chery for Luxeed. Huawei is responsible for the electronics (motors, charging stations, screens) and the infotainment system, while also ensuring marketing through its own showrooms.
Impressive performance
The Stelato S9, available starting this summer in China, offers two versions: a rear-wheel drive with a 308 hp engine and a four-wheel drive version with an additional 214 hp engine, totaling 522 hp. It is equipped with a 100 kWh battery, guaranteeing a range of 816 km CLTC for the single-motor version and 721 km CLTC for the dual-motor version. On the WLTP cycle, these ranges drop to around 700 km and 630 km respectively. Thanks to an air penetration coefficient of only 0.193, the Stelato S9 exceeds the performance of the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i7 in terms of range.
Operating on an 800-volt architecture, the Stelato S9 can recover 200 km of range in just five minutes of charging, a very interesting feature for hurried drivers.
The interior of the Stelato S9 offers a 12.3-inch digital dashboard and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, all within a sophisticated horizontal design meeting the standards of German premium brands. In the rear, passengers will enjoy reclining, heated, massaging, and ventilated seats, with entertainment options ranging from a 13.2-inch tablet to a 32-inch video projector including a screen descending from the ceiling.
Advanced technology and competitive pricing
For smooth driving, the Stelato S9 is equipped with adaptive suspension and an advanced semi-autonomous driving system, Huawei ADS 3.0, featuring LiDAR and various sensors and cameras. This allows for autonomous urban navigation, automatic parking, and the detection of potential hazards.
Compared to models like BMW and Mercedes, the Stelato S9 stands out for its significantly lower prices. Available in China between 399,800 and 449,800 yuan (51,200 to 57,600 euros), it positions itself well below the initial prices announced during pre-reservations, and light-years away from the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i7, whose prices in China are impacted by customs fees.
Limited availability
Although the Stelato S9 is not planned for immediate export to Europe, its arrival would not be surprising given the growing interest of Chinese manufacturers in the European market.
