PARIS, FRANCE – GAC’s electric brand Aion made its Paris Motor Show debut with its biggest and most luxurious model yet. The Aion GS7 is a large plug-in hybrid SUV that marks a major change in strategy for a brand that has so far sold only fully electric cars in Europe. It is confirmed for the UK in 2027, and it brings up to 501 bhp, three electric motors and a cabin designed to rival premium brands.
Alongside the GS7, Aion also showed the UT Cross, a rugged, raised version of its UT electric hatchback, as GAC brought a broad line-up of models to Paris to underline its European ambitions.
Aion’s biggest car yet
The GS7 measures about 4.9 metres long and seats five, making it larger than the Aion V and UT that Aion currently sells in the UK. It is also the brand’s first hybrid-focused model, built on a new platform called “EV+”, which differs from the AEP 3.0 architecture used by Aion’s electric cars.
Aion plans to offer both hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. That makes the GS7 an important bridge for buyers who like the idea of electric driving but are not ready to rely entirely on public charging.
Three motors and 501 bhp
The most powerful version, already sold in other markets, combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with three electric motors. Together they produce a combined 501 bhp, sent to all four wheels, and the GS7 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, impressive for a large family SUV.
In that specification, the GS7 uses a 36.3 kWh battery, giving more than 145 km (90 miles) of electric-only range, enough for most daily commutes without using any petrol. UK battery and range figures have not yet been confirmed and may differ.
Luxury on board
Aion says the GS7 offers “new levels of luxury” and features not yet seen on its other models. In markets where it is already sold, the GS7 comes with reclining rear seats, a 22-speaker audio system, Nappa leather seats with Shiatsu massage, four-zone voice recognition and a head-up display. The aim is clearly to offer the refinement of premium SUVs at a more accessible price.
Who it is up against
UK prices have not been announced, but the GS7 is expected to sit closer to the price of a Skoda Kodiaq, which starts at around £39,000, than a Land Rover Discovery at around £70,000, despite aiming for a similar feeling of luxury. Other rivals will include plug-in hybrid SUVs such as the BYD Sealion 6 and the Hyundai Santa Fe, as well as the growing number of Chinese PHEVs arriving in Europe.
GAC’s European plan
Aion is the electric arm of GAC, one of China’s largest carmakers. The brand launched in the UK with the Aion V and UT, and Aion UK managing director Jon Wakefield had previously hinted that the models shown on GAC’s stand at the Beijing Motor Show would give an idea of what was coming to Britain. The GS7 is the first of those models to be confirmed, and Aion is targeting a range of eight models in the UK.
Adding hybrids is a smart move. Many European buyers are still hesitant about fully electric cars, and plug-in hybrids give Aion access to a much larger part of the market while still showcasing its electric technology.
How the three-motor system works
Using three electric motors alongside a petrol engine is an unusual set-up, and it shows how far Chinese hybrid technology has moved. In systems like this, one motor typically works as a generator driven by the engine, while the others drive the wheels, with at least one on each axle for all-wheel drive. Most of the time the car runs like an electric vehicle, with the engine stepping in to charge the battery or add power when needed. The result is the smooth, instant response of an EV combined with the long-distance flexibility of petrol.
The UT Cross joins the range
The GS7 was not Aion’s only news in Paris. The brand also revealed the UT Cross, a version of its compact UT electric hatchback with a raised ride height, wider tyres and tougher styling. It is designed for buyers who want a little more ground clearance and a more rugged look without moving up to a full SUV. Together, the GS7 and UT Cross show Aion broadening its appeal at both ends of its range, from compact city cars to large family SUVs.
Strong ties to the Middle East
GAC is already a well-established name in the Gulf, where models such as the GS8 and GN8 are popular with families. A powerful, luxurious plug-in hybrid SUV like the GS7 would suit the region’s long driving distances and taste for big, well-equipped cars, although GAC has not yet confirmed Middle East plans for the model.
Aion GS7: key facts
- Type: Large hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUV
- Size: About 4.9 m long, five seats
- Platform: New EV+ architecture
- Power: Up to 501 bhp, 1.5-litre engine plus three motors, AWD
- 0–100 km/h: 5.8 seconds
- Electric range: Over 145 km (36.3 kWh battery, non-UK spec)
- UK launch: 2027
Photos show other Aion models, the Aion V, Hyper HT and UT; free-to-use images of the GS7 are not yet available.