BYTON starts M-Byte prototype road tests under real-world conditions
- Next step on the road to mass production for the manufacturer of smart electric vehicles
- Initial drivable prototypes already being tested on test tracks and roads in China
Nanjing, August 27, 2018: Last weekend BYTON celebrated the US debut of the BYTON K-Byte Concept in Pebble Beach. Meanwhile on the other side of the pacific in Nanjing, China, the first BYTON M-Byte test vehicles are already being put through their paces as part of application runs under actual traffic conditions and on test tracks. Dr. Carsten Breitfeld, CEO and Co-Founder, BYTON, together with Dr. Daniel Kirchert, President and Co-Founder, BYTON, accompanied the rollout of the first test vehicles at the prototype manufacturing plant in Nanjing.
“The development of the BYTON M-Byte is progressing extremely well, with everything on track. In recent months we have already successfully completed crash and stability tests with the initial set of prototypes – now the first prototypes are being road tested. The team’s pace and motivation is incredible”, said Dr. Carsten Breitfeld. His colleague, BYTON Co-Founder Dr. Daniel Kirchert, added: “The fact that the first M-Bytes are now undergoing road testing is a sign of the success of our developers and engineers at our locations in the U.S., China and Europe. Thanks to the expertise of our international network we have rapid processes, and we’re constantly focused on efficient implementation despite our thirst to innovate.”
Prototype testing marks a huge step forward for production, which is slated for fall 2019. Rigorous testing will be conducted in this current phase, including of vehicle reliability under different conditions, with the first cold-weather tests due this winter.
About the BYTON M-Byte
BYTON’s SUV production model will be available in two performance variants: A rear-wheel drive vehicle with a 71 kWh battery (400 km/249 mile range) and a four-wheel drive vehicle with a 95 kWh battery (520 km/323 mile range). The rear-wheel drive motor will have an output of 200 kW (400 NM/295 lb ft of torque). The four-wheel drive BYTON M-Byte will have two motors with a combined output of 350 kW (710 NM/524 lb ft of torque).
The BYTON M-Byte will be produced at BYTON’s plant in Nanjing, China. Vehicle pricing will start at U.S.$ 45,000 (approx. € 37,500). BYTON’s SUV will launch in China in 2019 followed by the U.S. and Europe in 2020. The sedan will follow in 2021, with a seven seater planned for 2022.
About BYTON
BYTON aspires to build premium intelligent electric vehicles for the future. Its crafted cars integrate advanced digital technologies to offer customers a smart, safe, comfortable and eco-friendly driving and mobility experience. BYTON aims to create a premium brand rooted in China which has a global reach. Its global headquarters, intelligent manufacturing base and R&D center are located in Nanjing, China, while its North American headquarters, devoted to intelligent car experience, autonomous driving, whole vehicle integration and other cutting-edge technologies, is based in Silicon Valley. The company’s vehicle concept and design center is located in Munich. BYTON also has offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong to handle external affairs, marketing, sales, design and investor relations. BYTON’s core management team is made up of the world’s top experts from China, Europe and the U.S., all of whom have held senior management positions in innovative companies such as BMW, Tesla, Google and Apple.
Their expertise covers automotive design, automotive engineering and manufacturing, electric powertrain, intelligent connectivity, autonomous driving, user interface and supply chain management among other industry sectors, the sum of which represents BYTON’s strengths in manufacturing premium automobiles that are equipped with high quality internet technologies.
As a start-up driven by innovation, they have closed Series A funding. Current shareholders include the founding team of BYTON, Harmony Auto, Auto Investments, League Automotive Technologies, Legend Capital and the Industrial Investment Fund in Jiangsu, China, as well as the Chengdu Group and other investors.
