The FAW Bestune Pony Is Your Electric Pocket-Sized Palomino
Image Credit: FAW Bestune.
The FAW Bestune Pony is finally galloping into the Chinese market on July 28th! After a leisurely trot from its 2023 Shanghai Auto Show debut, this pocket-sized electric palomino is ready to prance onto city streets. With a price tag ranging from a modest $3,700 to $4,400, it's a tempting treat for budget-conscious urban cowboys and cowgirls. When you think about it, you could buy 3 of those pretty Ponies for the price of 1 Fiat Topolino. Hmmm … I might rethink my choices. If only I was in China…
Now, let's talk dimensions because this ain't no Clydesdale. It's a petite 9.8 ft long, 4.9 ft wide, and 5.3 ft tall (3000 mm x 1510 mm x 1630 mm). That might be smaller than a golf cart, but it's perfect for squeezing into those tight parking spots downtown. Plus, with six adorable two-tone color options - including the deliciously named "cheese white" (pearlescent white, for the fancy folks) - you can customize your Pony to match your personality.
Image Credit: FAW Bestune.
As it turns out, this little equine packs a surprising punch. A 20 kW electric motor delivers 85 Nm of torque, which is more than enough to get you around town. The base model, with its 9.4 kWh battery pack, offers a range of 76 miles (122 km). If you need a little more giddy-up, the 13.9 kWh battery option will take you 106 miles (170 km) on a single charge.
The Pony borrows a page from the Wuling playbook, offering a no-frills, functional interior. The drive selector has been moved to the dashboard, freeing up precious legroom between the front seats. And the radio controls? Well, they look like they were plucked straight from a gamer's paradise. The flat-bottomed steering wheel and LCD instrument screen add a touch of sporty spice to this otherwise practical pony.
The Pony may be small, but it's not lightweight. It tips the scales at around 2,205 lbs (1,000 kg) for the base model and 2,270 lbs (1,030 kg) for the long-range version. But that's to be expected with a battery pack responsible for quite a chunk of the total weight.
Image Credit: FAW Bestune.
The Pony is just the first of seven so-called "new energy" vehicles (battery-powered in China) that Bestune plans to release over the next three years. So, if you're not quite ready to saddle up on this particular model, hold your horses! There are more electric steeds on the horizon.
In the meantime, if you're in China and you're looking for a fun, affordable, and environmentally friendly way to get around town, the FAW Bestune Pony might just be the perfect ride for you. Just remember, this ain't no racehorse. It's a city slicker, designed for short trips and urban adventures. As cute as its name suggests and takes electrons instead of sugar cubes. Why don't we get cute and cuddly little EVs?
