The Zotye Z500 EV is a front-wheel drive electric mid-size sedan (aka the “D” segment according to the European classification), which boasts an attractive design, a spacious interior and not the poorest equipment ... Its main target audience is family people living in the city who want to get comfortable and safe, but at the same time "environmentally friendly" car ...
The electric sedan made its debut in the Chinese market in the fall of 2017, and the basis for it was the Z500 gasoline model (presented to the general public back in April 2014 at the Beijing International Auto Show).
The car, which took the lead in the “green palette” in the model range of “Zotye”, received a modern technical “stuffing” and good driving potential.
Outside, the Zotye Z500 EV has an attractive, fairly solid and proportional, but quite ordinary look - its exterior does not catch the eye with any interesting design solutions.
An energetic front end with a "squint" of head optics, a stylish radiator grille and a raised bumper, a tightly knocked down silhouette with flat sidewalls, correct wheel arches and a roof, smoothly turning into a "branch" of the trunk, a harmonious rear with frowning lights and a neat bumper - the exterior of the sedan is devoid of sophistication but it even benefits him.
In terms of dimensions, the Zotye Z500 EV is a typical representative of the mid-size segment: its length is 4750 mm, its width is 1810 mm, and its height is 1510 mm. The distance between the pairs of wheels is 2750 mm at the four-door, and its ground clearance does not exceed 127 mm.
The "travel" weight of the car is 1675 kg, and its gross weight "rests" on 2050 kg.
Inside the Zotye Z500 EV, the focus is on a large, vertically oriented infotainment “tablet” that handles virtually all of the secondary functions. The embossed multi-steering wheel with a three-spoke rim and the virtual instrument cluster also fit well into the interior of an electric vehicle.
The decoration of the four-door is qualitatively assembled from high-quality finishing materials - pleasant plastics, glossy decor, metal and wood-like inserts and artificial leather.
One of the advantages of an electric sedan is its interior space: there is plenty of free space in both rows of seats. At the front, the car is equipped with comfortable seats with distinct side bolsters and a lot of adjustments, and at the back there is a “friendly” sofa with a central armrest.
The trunk of the Zotye Z500 EV is standard for representatives of the mid-size class: its volume is 500 liters (although it is impossible to increase this figure - the back of the "gallery" does not fold). A full-size spare wheel is hidden in a niche under the raised floor near the three-volume.
At the heart of the Chinese sedan is a synchronous electric motor with a rated power of 72 horsepower (53 kW). The peak output of the power unit is 129 hp. (95 kW) and 260 Nm of torque generated from 0 to 9000 rpm. The full potential is "poured" on the front wheels by means of a single-stage gearbox.
As standard, the Zotye Z500 EV is equipped with a lithium-ion battery, which provides it with a good range of 250 km on a single charge.
From a place to the first "hundred" the car accelerates after 10 seconds, and the maximum is capable of gaining 140 km / h.
At the heart of the Zotye Z500 EV is a front-wheel drive platform, and its body is largely composed of high-strength grades of steel. On the front axle of the four-door there is an independent suspension with MacPherson struts and a transverse stabilizer, and on the rear - a semi-independent arrangement with a torsion beam (“in a circle” - with steel springs and hydraulic shock absorbers).
All wheels of the car are equipped with disc brakes (ventilated at the front) with ABS and EBD.
The steering system of the "Chinese" is formed by a rack and pinion mechanism and an electric control amplifier.
In the Chinese market, the Zotye Z500 EV is sold at a price of 209,800 yuan (~ 1.9 million rubles, but this does not include government subsidies), and in the near future it may appear in Russia (and "straight" from Belarus).
The standard equipment of the three-volume unit combines: six airbags, 17-inch wheel rims, ABS, EBD, a sunroof, climate control, power windows for all doors, a multimedia center, an audio system with six columns, electric drive and heated front seats, keyless engine start and much other.
