WeeklySA_AdminMINI-SUV: A daily commune for those seeking a modern feature-packed urban EV without breaking the bank
By Ali Mphaki
You’ve been dying for an electric vehicle but have short fingers…. Now your dreams can come true thanks to the recently launched electric sub-compact SUV named Dayun Yuehu S5.
With such a tongue-twister of a name, you bet it the Dayun Yuehu S5 is a made in China product, manufactured by Dayun but brought into South Africa under their local rep Enviro Automotive.
Dayun, originally known for producing trucks and tractors, expanded into electric vehicle manufacturing under the name Dayun New Energy as China introduced favorable policies and grants to support the electric vehicle industry.
What is most likely to work for the Yuehu S5 is its mouthwatering price tag from R399,900.
Taking a closer look at the Dayun Yuehu S5 also known as the DY3, it measures 3,695 mm (L), 1,685 mm (W), and 1,598 mm (H), with a 2,410 mm wheelbase – measurements are on par with cars like the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and Honda HR-V.
For enhanced visibility and safety, the Yuehu S5 features
LED headlights and taillights, as well as a high-mounted brake light, a tyre pressure monitoring system, low-speed pedestrian warning, and a rearview camera with Reverse Assistance (RA). The S5 VIP derivative includes four ultrasonic radars, LED Daytime Running Lights, Turn-assist headlights, and Front Fog Lamps for enhanced safety.
Despite its minimalistic size, the Yuehu is no shrinking violet allowing ingress and out via a keyless start system, electronic power steering (EPS), climate control air-conditioning, electric windows and an ISOFIX child seat anchor.
The S5 operates via an Electronic Rotary Switch (ERS) on the centre console, with the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) also conveniently located on the centre console for easy and safe operation.
The interior is not dull either. A 7-inch LCD infotainment screen and 8-inch central control screen comes all wrapped up in a package which further includes driver-assistance features like vehicle monitoring,
Bluetooth, a hands-free system, radio, media selection, climate control, and vehicle settings. It also includes a WiFi hotspot and USB/Type-C multimedia ports.
But where it matters most for the Yuehu S5 is that it features a 35 kW motor that produces 105 Nm of torque, paired with a 30.66 kWh battery, providing a driving range of 300 kilometers on a single charge. It also supports DC fast charging, allowing the battery to charge from 20% to 80% in under 50 minutes. The vehicle comes with an 8-year or 150,000 km warranty on the motor and battery, and a 5-year or 120,000 km warranty on the chassis
Readers will learn that since it broke cover last July, the first batch primarily sold to businesses with large sales fleets, and wait for it, the second batch, arriving soon, is nearly sold out, according to Gideon Wolvaardt, MD of Enviro Automotive, the Yuehu 25 stands as the most affordable electric sub-compact SUV in its segment in the country.
With a top speed of 115 km/h top speed, it remains a cost-effective choice for city driving.
Motoring: Briefs
VOLVO FREE EV CHARGING
Recognising the growing appetite for EVs in South Africa, Volvo is offering a comprehensive bundle that addresses some of the key concerns of potential buyers. The headline offer is two years of free public charging valued at R12 000. This voucher, linked to the GridCars charging network, provides a substantial boost for drivers looking to utilise the expanding public charging infrastructure. Volvo Car South Africa’s Head of Commercial, Markus Cromwell, highlighted the strong sales of EVs in 2024 and expressed confidence that this offer will further fuel demand.
Beyond public charging, Volvo is also smoothing the transition to home charging. The company is providing an installation allowance of R7 500 towards a GridCars wall box. This is a crucial element, as home charging offers convenience and faster replenishment compared to standard plugs. The included wall box also comes with a two-year warranty covering both parts and installation.-CARMAG
GEAR CHANGES AT
PORSCHE
Porsche has replaced two senior bosses following a drawn-out and public battle in response to slowing sales and rising costs.
At the start of February, the German car maker issued a statement in which it reported that its supervisory board chairman, Wolfgang Porsche, had been tasked with deciding if deputy chairman and chief financial officer Lutz Meschke and sales and marketing director Detlev von Platen should have their contracts immediately terminated.
According to sources with knowledge of the matter, the decision is in response to growing criticism over the company’s slowing sales and a substantial increase in operating costs as Porsche seeks to revitalise its leadership team and address internal tensions.-AUTOCAR
SORRY TESLA, WE BRITISH!
BRITISH Tesla owners appear to be turning their backs on the brand – as the number of second-hand sales of the all-electric car doubled in the last year.
Data from Gumtree reveals a 128 per cent rise in listings for the brand in the last year, second only to the Chinese-owned MG.
Some industry experts believe Tesla owner Elon Musk’s new role in the White House may be impacting car sales.
The rise in sales of the electric vehicles were only surpassed by MG, with a staggering 503 per cent increase in listings compared to last January.-The Sun UK
CLARKSON RETURNS
Jeremy Clarkson will make his return to the TV motoring genre in a forthcoming episode of Car SOS.
The former Top Gear host, 64, took a step back from the genre after the final episode of The Grand Tour aired in September 2024, which he co-hosted with longtime collaborators James May and Richard Hammond.
Clarkson has been focussing his attention on his Diddly Squat farm, which is the centre of the Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm, as well as his brewery company Hawkstone and recently-opened Oxfordshire pub, The Farmer’s Dog.
The TV presenter will make a brief return to the motoring genre alongside hosts Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend for a special episode of Car SOS, which sees Clarkson help repair and restore an old Land Rover Discovery Series 1. The episode will air in March.
ONE MORE THING
A HIGHLAND driving expert agrees with the view that new car headlights are too bright.
A recent study by the RAC showed that a quarter of drivers who find vehicle headlights too bright are driving less at night as a result.
And this week Andrew Chatterton, publicity officer for Highland Advanced Motorists said that some LED lights are “terrible”.
The study showed that 75 per cent of those questioned who drive less than they used to do so because intense headlights make the experience uncomfortable or more difficult.-The Inverness Courier
