Chinese automakers are flooding the European markets with electric SUVs, but the same can’t be said for electric hatchbacks, which are the forte of local brands. At the 2024 Paris Motor Show earlier this month, Skyworth Group unveiled the Skywell Q based on its new 800-volt platform. The new electric compact hatchback will go straight up against the MG4 EV, and after having seen in person at the show, here are my first impressions:
Design
The Skywell Q has a dynamic and striking exterior and looks quite sporty. The absence of a radiator grille and the bare-minimum cooling openings, at the front, along with the almost fully-covered (18-inch) alloy wheels convey a strong focus on aerodynamic efficiency and immediately give away it’s an EV.
The full-width light strip at the tip of the bonnet and the vertical DRLs lend the front-end a bold appearance. The concave shape in the upper part of the bumper goes well with the curvy bonnet, adding to the car’s sporty styling, while a wide lower grille featuring tiny squares and the camouflage-like inlay below it communicate sophistication.
On the sides, the Skywell Q has flush-fitted door handles, frameless mirrors, and a curvy glasshouse that gets sleeker towards the rear. The camouflage-like inlay continues, appearing in the rocker panels, and again at the rear, at the bottom of the bumper. The blade-like ultra-thin tail lights stretch inward to meet an illuminated brand inscription, emphasizing the width and high-tech nature of the car.
Interior
The Skywell Q features a minimalist interior, although the use of teal and orange colors is rather bold. The sleek dashboard and door panels, the two-spoke steering wheel, the free-standing touchscreen infotainment system, and the neatly laid air conditioning vents all match the low-key theme of the cabin.
The Skywell Q features a panoramic sunroof that makes the interior look an even more inviting space. In addition to a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the front, it has two large entertainment touchscreens attached to the backrest of the front seats for the rear passengers. An 8-speaker Metz sound system is also among the tech highlights.
Specifications
With a length, width, and height of 4,297 mm (169.2 in.), 1,836 mm (72.3 in.), and 1,536 mm (60.5 in.), respectively, the Skywell Q is a proper C-segment hatchback. It is officially claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds, which makes it surprisingly quick, as it has only a 150 kW (201 hp) motor, powering the front wheels.
The Skywell Q’s battery pack takes as little as around 20 minutes for a 10-80% fast-charging session, and when fully charged, delivers a WLTP range of over 300 miles. TopElectricSUV.com was told at the 2024 Paris Motor Show that this battery pack has an energy storage capacity of 80 kWh and that a lower variant, possibly with a 60 kWh unit, will also be available. We also learned that the performance-focused variant which does 0 to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds has a top speed of 124 mph, which again, is impressive.
Release date
The Skywell Q will go on sale in Europe in 2025. In the UK, it could cost just under GBP 30,000 (approximately USD 39,000).
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
