Skywell's Skyworth Skyhome EV officially unveiled in Hong Kong

This year's award for the Most Mouthful Name goes to Skywell's Skyworth Skyhome. The first prototype, freshly adorned with a gold medal from the Hainan International Designer Competition, took its debut lap at the International MotorXpo (IMXpo) in Hong Kong. However, as the curtains lifted on this sleek electric vehicle, skepticism lingered in the air, questioning its futuristic promises.

Skywell Auto, an offshoot of Jiangsu Skywell Automobile, birthed in 2018 by the visionary Stephen Wong, showcased the Skyhome EV, perched on the avant-garde CE architecture. Boasting two electric motors generating 460 kW (617 hp), it promises to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in an impressive 3.5 seconds. The EV supports 800V charging, claiming to add a range of 304 miles on a mere 10-minute charge.

The exterior profile of the prototype flaunts a trendy sloping roof design with suicide doors, revealing a peculiar absence of physical B-pillars. The lack of rear-view mirrors replaced by cameras adds even more drama to the overall design.

Explaining the quirky nomenclature at the Skyworth booth, the Skyhome aims to be your home away from home. The interior is adorned with a 4'9" screen on an ergonomic dashboard, a yoke-style steering wheel, ambient lights, and a panoramic sunroof. It's a tech enthusiast's dream, but will the reality live up to the prototype's promises?

Powering the infotainment system is Qualcomm's 8295 chipset running Skyworth's own Xiaowei GPT. Rear passengers can indulge in a curved TV that drops from under the glass roof and a mini-fridge, offering a glimpse into the EV's attempt to redefine in-car luxury.

Skhome isn't Skywell's first EV though, and - unfortunately for the company - the sales numbers aren't looking too rosy. The EV6, once a star, witnessed a 36% sales decline from January to November. The HT-i, released in January 2023, barely made a mark with 7727 units sold till October 2023. With such figures, the Skyhome needs more than a pit stop; it needs a home run.

At IMXpo, Skyworth claimed the Skyhome is 90% production-ready, set to hit full production in 2024 with plans to venture beyond China. It sure is a showstopper - but is that enough to get the people to vote with their wallets?

Via