► Info on new Seres 3 electric SUV
► First car from brand to launch in the UK
► Price starts at £29,995
Seres, a relatively fresh electric car brand from China, is launching in Europe. Its first car to launch is this: the 3 SUV.
The 3 is one of three electric SUVs being launched by Seres in quick succession. We first saw the brand at the 2023 IAA Mobility show in Munich, with a larger 5 and 7 on the way. All are SUVs, with the smaller two launching with battery-electric powertrains and the largest 7 benefitting from a plug-in hybrid power mix.
Anyway, the new 3 will be the smallest car launched by the brand (thus far). It’s a small and relatively anonymous-looking thing that’s targeting the likes of the Vauxhall Mokka Electric and Peugeot E-2008, and even fellow Chinese newcomers Omoda with its electric 5 SUV.
Just one powertrain variant is available for the Seres 3: a 54kWh battery pack and a single 161bhp e-motor. Performance is reasonable, with a sub-nine-second 0-62mph sprint claimed, but range is relatively piddly; Seres says the 3 is only capable of 205 miles under the WLTP test procedure. For reference, a Mokka Electric claims around 252-miles of e-range, while the electric version of the Omoda 5 claims 280 miles.
Every Seres 3 model features keyless start, a reversing camera, air-con and a 10.25-inch infotainment system as part of its basic Active spec. Upper Spirit trim adds a panoramic glass roof, a wireless phone charger and heated front seats.
In the UK, Seres cars will be sold through the IA Electric Vehicles distrubutor. Up to now, the brand has been a UK hub for DFSK electric commercial vehicles, and lists the Skywell brand as another one of its clients – another Chinese car brand that’s also coming to the UK later in 2024. Seres and IA says that the 3 SUV will go on sale from £29,995 for base Active trim, claiming that it’s ‘the only electric SUV on the market under £30,000.’ Upper Spirit models will start from £31,995.