GAC Aion i60: Chinese electric crossover born in the shadow of Toyota

The GAC Aion i60 is a compact electric crossover developed by the Chinese GAC Group in close partnership with Toyota. The model combines a power reserve of up to 710 km, fast charging, Japanese standards of reliability and safety, as well as an advanced digital interior.

When a new model comes out in the world of electric vehicles, everyone immediately looks at Tesla, BYD or startups like NIO. But sometimes true breakthroughs happen where they are least expected. In 2025, the GAC Aion i60 loudly announced itself at motor shows in Europe and Asia - a compact electric crossover that is impressive in itself, but one thing is especially intriguing: it was developed in a close technological partnership with Toyota.

Yes, the same Toyota that for many years was skeptical about electric vehicles, preferring hybrids and hydrogen, but times have changed. And instead of inventing everything from scratch, the Japanese giant chose an unusual path - cooperation with the Chinese automaker GAC Group, which has long established itself in the EV segment through its Aion division. The result of this union is the Aion i60, a machine in which Japanese reliability meets Chinese technology, and a modest design hides advanced solutions.

New modular platform GAC-NEXT, developed with the participation of Toyota engineers. It's lighter, stiffer and safer than the previous generation, with improved aerodynamics (Cd coefficient of just 0.258) and scalable battery options. In the basic version, the i60 is equipped with a 64-kilowatt-hour battery, which gives a range of up to 520 km (according to the WLTP cycle), and in the top version - an 86-kilowatt-hour battery, which accelerates the figures to 710 km. At the same time, fast charging at 480 kW is supported: in 10 minutes you can replenish 400 km of range. This is not a theory - such infrastructure has already been deployed in China and is gradually appearing in Europe.

But Toyota's main contribution is not in hardware, but in control systems, safety and build quality. Engineers from Nagoya were involved in suspension calibration, tuning of recovery systems, design of crash structures and even in the development of thermal management of the battery, which should ensure stable operation at temperatures from -30°C to +50°C. This is especially important for markets with harsh climates - including Russia, where the i60 could appear as early as 2026.

The Aion i60's interior is designed in the spirit of minimalism, but without asceticism. There is no cheap plastic here - only recycled fabrics, soft polymers, wood and brushed aluminum. The centerpiece is a 15.6-inch touchscreen with proprietary ADiGO 6.0 OS, which supports not only Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but also voice AI with contextual understanding. For example, you can say: “I’m cold and want coffee,” and the system will simultaneously increase the temperature in the cabin and suggest the nearest coffee shop with the possibility of pre-order.

Safety is another area of Toyota's influence. The i60 received 10 airbags, high-strength steel in 78% of the body, as well as an extended L2+ ADAS package: adaptive cruise with Stop&Go function, lane keeping, automatic braking at intersections, blind spot monitoring and even an “electronic tow” mode, when the car itself follows you in a parking lot at a distance of up to 10 meters.

Externally, the i60 does not shout about itself. No aggressive lines, flying helmets or neon stripes. But there are clean surfaces, hidden door handles, a panoramic roof and signature “wings” on the rear lights. This is a car for those who value restraint, but are not ready to sacrifice technology.

And the most important thing is the price. Thanks to joint development and large-scale production in China, the starting price of the i60 in Europe is stated at 34,900 euros, which makes it a competitor not only to the Tesla Model Y, but also to Volkswagen's ID.4.

GAC Aion i60 is not just another Chinese electric car. This is a sign of change: even conservative giants like Toyota understand that the future lies in partnerships, not in single races. And if this union continues to develop, then we may see not just cars, but a new standard of reliability for the entire EV market.