AITO M9: A Sub-£70k Luxury REEV-SUV Capable of 1,500 km on a Single Charge

I recently flew to Munich to explore the IAA Mobility Show. The IAA-MS (better known to most as the Munich Motor Show) is more than a typical car show; it's a technology event where tech and engineering geniuses showcase their latest work to the automotive world. The Exhibition Halls of Munich's Messestadt Riem are filled with companies showcasing the latest versions of LiDAR and radar technology, and there are companies displaying stands filled with components constructed from new, pioneering materials. Then there are the big car brands that are present at the event to showcase the latest concept cars. All the big players like to unveil a car to make the world gasp at what could be coming, and some use the show to reveal and launch vehicles that will soon be going into production.

It was the Chinese manufacturer AITO that kindly arranged my trip to the event, a brand that is, for now, relatively unknown to the UK market. The car I was invited to see was not a concept or a show car - it was a car that is already in production and being sold in its home country of China, and one that is now making its way to the Middle Eastern market for the first time.

Who owns AITO?

AITO is a subsidiary of SERES, a Chinese technology-based manufacturing enterprise that produces cars in China under the brands AITO, Landian, RECHE, and DFSK.

What sets SERES apart from other manufacturers is its in-house engineering department, which designs and manufactures its own range of electric motors, hybrid powertrains, and more conventional diesel and petrol engines, all destined for small passenger cars, large commercial vehicles, and trucks.

AITO is SERES' luxury vehicle arm, which utilises the company's powertrains and fits them into refined passenger vehicles with the very best in luxury features. In short, SERES has been monitoring the success and demand of foreign luxury car makers in China and has now decided to take a shot at producing Chinese luxury for Chinese buyers.

The M9 - A New Luxury SUV

The centrepiece on AITO's stand at the Munich Motorshow was the M9, AITO's new hyper-luxury SUV, boasting spectacular technology and comfort features. There are massaging seats for all passengers, as well as double-glazed windows that work in tandem with an isolated and soundproofed cabin. It features headlights capable of projecting videos onto road surfaces or walls ahead, and all interior materials are of exceptionally high quality. The fit and finish are comparable to those of a Bentley, and the screens and built-in technology are as intuitive and attractive as those seen in a new top-of-the-range BMW.

The competitive brand comparisons are key, as the AITO M9 targets the likes of the BMW X7, Bentley Bentayga, and Range Rover Autobiography, all of which have been popular models selling in China for as long as they've been available to production.

Infused with Huawei Tech

The Chinese tech giant Huawei has played a key part in making the M9 so technologically and luxuriously advanced. The result of the collaboration between Huawei and SERES is a fully aluminium-bodied SUV that is packed with tech-focused gadgetry, including an intelligent cabin and innovative driving features. Up front in the cabin is a triple-screen dashboard featuring individual 12.3-inch, 15.6-inch, and 16-inch screens, all within reach for both the driver and passenger to adjust controls and make adjustments to settings, driver modes and entertainment features.

The fit and finish throughout the cabin assure luxury, and the M9 offers seat comfort from soft Nappa leather and Alcantara. The seats are heated, cooled, and offer various massage programmes to keep drivers and passengers relaxed while the built-in autonomous driving features take care of traffic jams and tricky parking manoeuvres. A premium 25-speaker audio system delivers range-topping audio quality and additional convenience features, including fully electric-operated doors and a refrigerator which is conveniently large enough to house two bottles of Champagne or perfectly chilled water for the driver.

For the rear passengers, a projector screen lowers from the ceiling, with a built-in projector tucked neatly above the boot space. The screen serves primarily as an entertainment feature but also acts as a privacy screen that divides the front and rear of the cabin.

In addition to the in-car cinema, the second row of the M9 can also be transformed into an extra-luxurious environment with reclining seats and extending footrests. The front passenger seat can be fully folded forward to create a business-class bed setup for a chauffeured passenger. Once fully folded, it offers the largest in-car footrest I've personally ever seen in a car.

In the boot space of the M9, two additional folding event seats can be specified, similar to those found on the back of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Range Rover Autobiography.

It's evident that the R&D team have worked especially hard on the M9. As I sat in all seats of the SUV adjusting seats, pressing buttons and swiping through screens, I wanted to find a fault, a missed opportunity or a sign that this 'new to the western world' brand still has some work to do... but the truth is, I couldn't find a fault.

1500km (930 Miles) of Range

The area where AITO is most impressive is the in-house powertrain and drivetrain, which offer some staggering statistics and safety features.

The M9 will be available in both BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) and REEV (Range Extended Electric Vehicle) configurations. The BEV version offers a WLTP electric range of 630km (390 miles), but it's the REEV (Range Extended Electric Vehicle) variant that AITO predicts will be the big seller for one very good reason. The REEV powertrain boasts an overall range of 1,500 km (932 miles) with a full charge and a full tank of fuel. That's as near as damn it, London to Barcelona without any requirement to stop to plug in or refuel.

This impressive figure is all thanks to the 5th generation of REEV powertrain, which SERES calls the 'Super Range Extender'. The power unit can generate 3.65kWh of electricity from just 1 litre of fuel, making it the most efficient unit ever produced by SERES. Other impressive statistics include a 15% reduction in comprehensive fuel consumption, a maximum thermal efficiency of 44.8%, and a 90% reduction in noise from the unit, resulting in a quieter and more comfortable ride for the driver and passengers.

The next clever bit is the way the power is delivered. SERES's 5th generation REEV system also allows for independent drive to each wheel at any given time, optimising grip in both low-speed and high-speed environments. You could, in theory, drive on a road surface which is half ice and half dry tarmac, and the car will remain straight and controlled whilst vectoring the power to where it needs to be.

This unique torque-delivering capability is not only impressive but safe too. AITO use the statement of 'safety being the ultimate luxury' and insists that the 5th generation drivetrain will help protect the driver and passengers in the moments that matter most.

Power and Performance

In BEV form, the M9 produces 530hp, which enables a 0-62 mph sprint in 4.2 seconds and in REEV form, the figures are 489hp, and the 0-62 mph sprint takes 4.9 seconds.

The Price

Now for the part that will raise a few eyebrows in the boardrooms of Munich, Solihull and Crewe. The AITO M9, with its luxurious features, advanced safety features, and 1,500 km range, is available to purchase in China at a price range of 470,000-570,000 Chinese Yen.

Converted to the British pound, the AITO M9 could be available for as little as £70,000 before any local taxes or OTR rates are applied. Even if an additional £5,000 were added to help cover import, taxes, and first registrations, it would mean that a product, which is a genuine rival to a BMW X7 or Range Rover, could be purchased with a saving of up to £100,000 on the retail price.

Can you buy an AITO M9 in the UK?

In China, AITO is already outselling equivalent models from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Lexus and in a matter of weeks, the AITO M9 will be available to purchase in Middle Eastern showrooms, too. This expansion to the Middle East is a significant moment for AITO and potentially the global car market, as in Dubai, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, AITOs will be considered for purchase by buyers without any patriotic brand preferences, such as a Brit buying a Range Rover or a German buying a BMW.

I can offer some short-term relief to any nervous board members or sales executives at Bentley, BMW, and JLR, as there is no confirmed date for AITO to be on sale in the UK yet; however, it's not a question of 'if' AITO will be coming to the UK, it's 'when'. And with a price tag competitive enough to sway even the most loyal BMW and Range Rover buyers, when that day comes, AITO is likely to do well.

words by John Marcar
photography by AITO