All-electric gull-winged Hyptec HT arrives in Singapore

Frameless windows and doors that open on their own with a button's touch are quite run-of-the-mill for modern cars at this point. And so, the latest name targeting a slice of the electric SUV pie is promising to one-up the competition with a standout feature: Gull-wing doors.

The Hyptec HT has officially been launched in Singapore, marking the first model from GAC Aion's electric premium EV sub-brand, Hyptec, to reach our shores. Initially established in 2022 as 'Hyper', its current name is an amalgam of 'hyper' and 'technology' - which should already provides a good primer of the key pillars underpinning it. In other markets, additional models on sale include the Hyptec SSR - a 913kW tri-motor electric supercar that can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 1.9 seconds - and the seven-seater Hyptec HL.

Key to the HT's design are its 'Diamond Cut' head lights as well as 'Horizon Taillights'

While supercars and MPVs are not part of Hyptec's local lineup (at least not yet), the HT puts up a good show of both the technology and luxury promised by the brand - and not just in a sleek and clean-looking package that might call to mind the Porsche Macan or the Tesla Model X. At 4,935mm in length, and with a wheelbase of 2,935mm, it's also slightly larger than the likes of the Xpeng G6 and Tesla Model Y. 

The car's unique headlining act, naturally, is the pair of Gull Wing electric doors on the higher-end Luxury Trim, which should make alighting at the drop-off point of ION Orchard extra momentous for whoever's lucky enough to be seated behind. Worth noting is that the HT is the first officially-sold electric SUV in Singapore to offer this feature, since the trailblazing Tesla Model X has never been officially brought in by Tesla Singapore.

It's not just style points that those gull wing doors offer, though, for their raised height (up to 2.3 metres) promises to make entry and exit easier for occupants since they eliminate the need for bending or stooping.

The gull wing doors on the Luxury trim can reach a height of 2.3 metres when fully raised - but have 12 radar sensors that ensure that they'll lift only to a safe height when in lower spaces

Those concerned about shopping mall carparks might be surprised to learn that the doors are surprisingly fuss-free to operate; they require only 34cm of side clearance to be deployed (equivalent to or less than conventional swing-out doors), and also feature 12 radar sensors that power a 'smart obstacle avoidance system', ensuring that they'll never make contact with either the roof or other cars parked to the side. For $30,000 less, there's also the Premium trim of the HT on sale anyway, which comes with standard doors.

Speaking of the Premium trim, the HT arrives in Singapore with a ton of features and equipment as standard.

Regardless of which of three interior colours buyers choose from, they will find all five seats upholstered in Nappa leather, as well as armrests finished in real wood. Interestingly, Hyptec states that it built the HT with chauffeur-driven customers in mind - and to that end, rear-bench occupants will find a footrest on the left and a curved, fold-out tray table on the right when the rear doors swing up (or open).

Designed with chauffeur-driven passengers in mind, the HT comes with a footrest and foldout tray table at the rear. These seats can also recline to an angle of up to 143 degrees 

On clearer-sky evenings where they want to enjoy some stargazing, the rear bench can also recline back to an angle of 143 degrees, effectively morphing into a plush sofa. And in similar vein to its more mass-market distant sibling, the Aion Y Plus, the Hyptec HT offers a generous 1,035mm-worth of legroom and a flat floor. Right at the rear, a large 672-litre boot promises to swallow larger golf bags and even the most aggressive grocery runs with ease, with extra storage underneath too for items that need to be kept further out of sight.

Still, it's not just the rear, but also front occupants that get to ride first class. Both seats on the first row are equipped with ventilation and 10-point electric massage functions, the latter of which enabling the HT to offer five different massage modes.

Another element should further enhance the sense of refinement on the move: Double-layer laminated glass used throughout the car to help keep noise from the road at bay. The excellent cabin insulation, conversely, promises to enhance enjoyment of the car's 22-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system, which includes a subwoofer and even two speakers embedded in the driver’s seat. And as a modern electric car, the HT also comes with a generous drizzle of digitalisation, courtesy of 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 8.88-inch driver’s display. The former even gets a native charging station map that displays charging points in the vicinity with real-time availability updates.

Standard features on the car include front ventilated and massage seats (with five different massage modes), as well as a 22-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system

Pizzazz aside, the HT scores high on practicality points.

Riding on GAC Aion's latest-generation AEP 3.0 platform (the Y Plus, for context, is built atop of AEP 2.0), the HT's 800V architecture supports DC charging at up to 280kW that charge its 83.3kWh LFP battery up from 10 to 70% in just 15 minutes. Given its WLTP-rating of 520km on a full charge, this means that a leisurely toilet break could already return more than 350km worth of range to the car.

Piloting the HT should also be a breezy affair. Put the car into Sport Mode, and its single electric can deliver a maximum of 250kW and 430Nm of torque to the rear wheels (the figures are the same on both the Luxury and Premium trims), sending the SUV from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.8 seconds.

With its 800V architecture, the HT supports DC charging at up to 280kW that can see more than 350km worth of range returned to its 83.3kWh battery in just 15 minutes

A single motor on the HT sends 250kW and 430Nm of torque to the rear wheels, allowing the SUV to complete the century sprint in just 5.8 seconds

Adding to the ease and effortlessness on the road is the car's Intelligent Driving System, which includes driving assistance features such as Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning/Assist, Traffic Jam Assist.

The Hyptec HT is now on sale in Singapore, with prices starting at $230,988 (before an additional $12,000 launch discount that's now on offer for an exclusive period).

Authorised dealer for Aion and Hyptec, VINCAR EV, has also announced that it is extending a 'Three Electrics Lifetime Warranty' to the first owners of the HT, consisting of its battery, motor and integrated power system. This is on top of the standard aftersales package for the vehicle, which includes 10 years (or up to 200,000km) of free servicing, eight years (or up to 160,000km) of vehicle warranty, as well as eight years of coverage (or up to 240,000km) for the Gull Wing parts on the Luxury trim.