AITO is a new brand on the horizon and ready to rock the luxury end of the market

Not many days go by without a Chinese car brand releasing something. There is a similarity among many of the vehicles that are reaching Europe however I recently had the opportunity to experience the new-to-us AITO brand at the IAA Mobility show in Munich and it clearly is one to take note of.

In China, since the brand was established in 2021, AITO has sold over 750,000 units. In the premium car market, they have been at the top of their luxury car sector for 17 months.

AITO is a division of the SERES Group, a leading technology company founded in 1986. They employ 20,000 and are ranked 92nd in the list of Chinese Fortune 500 companies. The business is all about new energy vehicles – R&D, manufacturing, components and sales and service.

They are launching in the Middle East and heading for Europe. Their intention is to become what they are calling a GLocal worldwide brand and in the top 10 of luxury vehicles.

The impressive qualities of the three models shown were certainly an eye-opener. However, in terms of their global ambitions, it is unclear which models may yet reach Europe.

Currently, in other markets, they offer the AITO 5, 7, and 9, with the vehicles becoming progressively larger as the number increases. This is the first time these vehicles have been seen in Europe.

All vehicles utilise a range extender in conjunction with their electric powertrains (EREV for short), and fully electric models are also available. AITO 9 is what the brand calls an All-scenario Intelligent Flagship SUV. The AITO 7 is an intelligent large-size family comfort SUV, and the AITO 5 is an exciting mid-size Sport SUV along the lines of the superb Porsche Macan. With their fabulous looks, impressive build quality, exquisite interiors and multitude of design features, it was hard not to be impressed.

So what about the cars –

The AITO 9 is the flagship of the SUVs on offer, an imposing vehicle measuring 5.29 metres in length, available in either five- or six-seat versions. The range extender model utilises a 1.5-litre petrol engine to charge its batteries, similar to the Nissan Qashqai / X-trail E-Power.

The ‘9’ has an impressive 800-mile800-mile range with up to 140 miles of electric-only range. Performance is brisk, with a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds and a massive torque of 675 Nm.

Design is the key; the headlights are a masterpiece, known as Galaxy Headlights and Starlight Rear Lights. The patterns on them can be personalised by the driver, which is cool, although I’m not sure how necessary it is really.

With a choice of four exterior colours and five colourways for the interior, it really has to be seen and experienced. It features Nappa leather, white ash trim, and a full-width 32-inch entertainment screen, allowing rear passengers to watch movies on the go. In the rear, passengers can even lie flat with the built-in leg rest and recline options on the seats.

The most hi-tech advanced intelligence systems for parking and manoeuvrability make the driving experience intuitive. The various safety systems are well-selected to prioritise passenger safety at all times. The AITO 9 achieved the highest safety score ever on a vehicle in China’s crash test history.

The AITO 7 is slightly smaller than the ‘9’, a large, comfy SUV ideal for a family. Again, using a range extender and battery, when fully fuelled and charged, a 621-mile range is possible. Performance is sporty, with a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds and bags of torque, boasting 600Nm. The fully electric range of 100 miles would be handy.

A versatile, best-in-class interior, the rear seats can lie flat, or a small table can be used if a passenger needs to use a laptop. The second-row seats can also include a tablet to keep children entertained on long journeys.

Again, design is key, safety and tech have all the bases covered on this exciting SUV.

The AITO 5 is the sporty number, boasting a more rapid 0-62mph acceleration in 4.3 seconds, a 702-mile range, an intelligent range extender, and Dual-Motor AWD with 477hp and 675 Nm of torque.

The agile, precise handling and refinement are assisted by its unique chassis, made from 100% aluminium alloy.

On the inside, ultra-comfy seats with 10 layers of comfort, says AITO. 12-way power adjustment, memory, ventilated, heated and massaging cover off all you could want in a seat. Ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof enhance the interior.

It’s one to pay attention to, as you can see; AITO is set for success, with happy days ahead when they make it to the UK, I can’t wait to drive them.

Jonathan Humphrey

The man from Drive.co.uk

After many, many years of being passionate about cars, spending too much money on cars and too much time driving. I now spend my time running and developing Drive.co.uk a fun expressive motoring lifestyle website along with some very good writers.