The Elight is the first all-electric C-segment sedan spawned from the joint venture between JMEV and Renault Group, positioned as a "global pioneering smart electric four-door coupe". It focuses on dynamic handling, smart connectivity, and value for money, aimed at younger drivers seeking a sporty driving experience as well as urban commuters requiring everyday family practicality. The Elight first debuted for pre-sales in 2021 under the "Renault JMEV Elight" nameplate. As of June 2026, the Elight range has undergone multiple iterative updates and expanded into several sub-variants, including the Elight Chi 05, Elight Chi 05S, and Elight Pro, establishing a dedicated EV line-up spanning the RM120,000 to RM190,000 price bracket.
Dimensionally, the Elight measures 4,675 mm long, 1,835 mm wide, and 1,480 mm tall with a 2,750 mm wheelbase, placing it on the larger end of the C-segment sedan category. Boot capacity is rated at 410 litres, fully laden ground clearance is 145 mm, and kerb weight ranges between 1,470 kg and 1,570 kg depending on the specification.
The exterior styling of the Elight is guided by a "New Chinese Avant-Garde Aesthetics" design philosophy, combining sharp creases with sleek contours. Up front, it features a closed-off grille flanked by boomerang-styled accents, while the slim F-shaped split headlamp clusters deliver a bold visual signature. Along the sides, a fastback silhouette is paired with dual character lines and flush pop-out door handles, achieving a low drag coefficient of 0.28 Cd. At the rear, the tri-stage smoked tail lamps incorporate light-guide fibre optics that illuminate in a distinctive wing-like graphic. Furthermore, the Elight is offered in a "Pine Smoke and Black Ink" special edition inspired by oriental aesthetics, featuring a signature Pine Smoke Ink exterior hue, a two-tone cabin finished in blue-white or dark blue with gold accents, and bespoke pinecone emblems on the seatbacks for a unique cultural touch.
Inside, the Elight adopts a wraparound cockpit layout anchored by a T-shaped dashboard incorporating soft-touch plastics, slush-moulded surfaces, and satin chrome trims. Higher-spec variants are equipped with a dual-screen setup comprising a 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch floating infotainment touchscreen (select trims feature dual floating large-format LCD screens), powered by an iFLYTEK operating system with gesture controls, smartphone remote connectivity, and OTA software updates. The steering wheel comes in urethane or leather upholstery, with manual tilt and telescopic adjustment.
The Elight is offered with a choice of single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrains. The single-motor variant (front-mounted) produces 110 kW (approx. 150 PS) and 225 Nm of torque; the high-output dual-motor variant (front and rear dual-motor layout) delivers a combined output of 170 kW (approx. 231 PS) and 395 Nm. Both are paired with a single-speed reduction gear transmission for smooth, instantaneous power delivery. A low-output 60 kW entry-level variant was previously offered, primarily catering to fleet use or early configurations. Meanwhile, higher-performance flagship models (such as the Elight Chi 01) are tuned to deliver a potent 320 kW and 560 Nm of torque.
In terms of acceleration, the single-motor model completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in around 8.9 seconds, while the dual-motor AWD variant dispatches 0-100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds courtesy of its 395 Nm peak torque. Top speed is rated at 140 km/h for the single-motor version, with selected high-output variants capable of reaching 150 km/h.
Under the skin, the Elight punches above its weight in chassis dynamics. All variants come standard with an all-round independent suspension setup comprising front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link setup. To enhance agility and reduce unsprung mass, extensive lightweight aluminium alloy components are used throughout (including the front and rear steering knuckles and front lower control arms), complemented by 18-inch Michelin high-performance tyres for improved mechanical grip. Steering duties are handled by an electric power steering (EPS) system, while braking is managed by ventilated front discs and solid rear discs alongside an electronic parking brake (EPB). Drivetrain configurations include front-wheel drive (FWD) and electric all-wheel drive (AWD).
The Elight's cabin focuses on smart technology and everyday practicality. Its infotainment system integrates the iFLYTEK ecosystem, supporting voice control (for multimedia, navigation, telephony, climate control, and power windows), gesture control, mobile app-based remote vehicle monitoring, and full-car OTA updates. In terms of creature comforts, top-spec variants feature a 360-degree surround-view monitor with a transparent chassis display, a panoramic glass roof, power-adjustable front seats, multi-colour ambient lighting, synthetic leather upholstery, and automatic climate control. The utilitarian Elight Pro variant, on the other hand, omits the central touchscreen on certain trims in favour of open cubby storage to enhance fleet utility.
In terms of safety, the Elight was engineered and validated to rigorous dual Chinese and European standards, adhering to the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's ASES and AVES quality assurance benchmarks. The safety cell utilises a high-strength cage structure incorporating 44 pieces of ultra-high-strength hot-stamped steel and aluminium hybrid materials rated up to 1,500 MPa, providing up to 5 tonnes of roof crush resistance. The high-voltage battery pack is encased within a closed-loop protective frame constructed from high-strength steel. Passive safety is bolstered by up to 10 airbags on high-spec variants, covering dual front airbags, front side/shoulder airbags, and full-length curtain airbags.
On the active safety front, the Elight is equipped with the EZOO-Pilot 3.0 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), utilising 24 onboard sensors (including dual 2-megapixel front-facing cameras and 77 GHz millimetre-wave radar) to provide Level 2.5 semi-autonomous driving capabilities, encompassing Auto Parking Assist (APA), Highway Assist (HWA), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR).
The Elight has maintained steady momentum in overseas markets, serving as a core pillar in JMEV's export strategy. Since September 2022, batches of Elight units have been shipped to Israel and the Middle East, with single consignments reaching up to 700 units, primarily catering to corporate fleets and commercial mobility services. In its domestic market, however, sales have remained sluggish, with monthly figures languishing in double-digit territory for prolonged stretches (recording just 35 units in January 2022 and 51 units in February 2022) and peaking at an all-time high of only 423 units; as of August 2024, cumulative domestic sales stood below 1,300 units, representing a year-on-year contraction of over 20%. Market analysts attribute its domestic challenges to low brand recall, an ambiguous middle-ground positioning, fierce segment rivalry, and a mismatch between the modest performance of early entry-level variants (0-100 km/h in approx. 13 seconds) and their asking price. In terms of ownership feedback, some owners have reported minor build quality inconsistencies and patchy after-sales support.
From a strategic standpoint, the Elight represents the maiden production fruit of the technical partnership between JMCG and Renault Group, marking JMEV's upmarket transition from micro-EVs into mainstream electric vehicle segments. With its potent dual-motor AWD powertrain, class-above chassis engineering, and dual European-standard safety credentials, it continues to make inroads across global export markets—accumulating valuable overseas operational experience for Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) brands.
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