China’s HiPhi will promote its European push at the Goodwood show

LONDON — Chinese tech-focused EV brand HiPhi will give its Y battery-electric midsize SUV a European debut at  the Goodwood Festival of Speed this month as part of the company’s global expansion.

HiPhi was established in China in 2019 by Human Horizons, a self-described new mobility research company which itself was started in 2017.

The Y is the smallest and most mainstream of HiPhi’s three models. It was first revealed at the Shanghai auto show in April. Orders for the car will open toward the end of the year in HiPhi’s European launch markets of Germany and Norway.

HiPhi’s first two models, the X large SUV and Z GT sedan, went on sale in Germany and Norway in June.

The Z starts at 105,000 euros ($114,000) in Germany and offers 662 hp from two electric motors to give a 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) acceleration time of 3.8 seconds. The car has a 120-kilowatt hour battery for a potential range of 555 km (345 miles) under Europe’s WLTP tests.

The car features the HiPhi Bot, a robotic arm that holds the central touchscreen which can rotate or pivot depending on customer requirements. It will also change angle automatically as the driver moves their seat.

The HiPhi X starts at 109,000 euros. It has twin 295 hp electric motors to give a 0 to 100 kph acceleration time of 3.9 seconds. The 97-kWh battery pack gives a potential WLTP range of 460 km.

The X is also available with a third seating row to give a maximum of six seats.

HiPhi said it will disclose information on the range and performance of the Y closer to its market launch.

HiPhi has opened its first retail space, called the HiPhi Hub, at Munich airport. The company says it aims to expand sales to Europe’s main markets by 2027.

HiPhi Z cars will be taking part in the famous Goodwood hill climb twice a day during the Goodwood event from July 13 to 16.