Is Arcfox Malaysia bound? BAIC's sub-brand adds Malaysia to global markets, T1, T5, Kaola S, and S5 coming?

BAIC's EV sub-brand Arcfox has quietly listed Malaysia among its target markets on its global website, suggesting a local market entry may be in the works. The brand has not made any official announcement regarding Malaysian operations, pricing, or a launch timeline.

Arcfox positions itself as a premium EV marque under BAIC and has outlined ambitions to cover more than 40 countries across six regions, backed by a dedicated sales and service network. Four models appear to be earmarked for the brand's international push: T1 and T5 SUVs, the Kaola S, an SUV with an unconventional sliding rear passenger door, as well as the S5 sedan.

Arcfox T1

The T1 is the smallest of the three SUVs aimed at rivals ike the BYD Dolphin and Geely Xingyuan (Proton eMas 5 to you and me), measuring 4,337 mm long with a 2,770 mm wheelbase. 

Batttery capacities range between 36.4-kWh to 42.3-kWh, offering a CLTC-rated range of between 350 km to 450 km. 

Regardless of battery capacity, the China-spec Arcfox T1's power output is rated at 95 kW (129 PS) and 176 Nm.

Arcfox T5

Stepping up, the Arxfox T5 stretches to 4,690 mm in length on a 2,845 mm wheelbase, with a kerb weight of 1,975 kg and 156 mm of ground clearance.

Power comes from a single front-mounted motor rated at 200 kW (272 PS) and 360 Nm, drawing from a 79.2 kWh NMC battery. The sprint to 100 km/h takes 7.5 seconds, top speed is capped at 180 km/h, and the battery can be recharged from 30 to 80 percent in 18 minutes via DC fast charging.

Additionally, the Arcfox T5 can also be had as a range-extender EV (REEV), which adds a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine as a generator to charge the battery pack. REEV variants of the Arcfox T5 is able to return up to 1,070 km under the WLTC test cycle.

Kaola S

The Kaola S takes a distinctly MPV-inspired approach to the SUV format, with a sliding door on the left rear passenger side for easier cabin access, while the right rear uses a conventional hinged door. 

At 4,500 mm long on a 2,820 mm wheelbase, it seats five and packs 29 storage compartments throughout the cabin. A 14.6-inch infotainment screen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip handles the in-car experience, with Level 2 ADAS as standard.

Powering the Kaola S is a 58.8 kWh LFP battery paired with a 150 kW (204 PS), 255 Nm front motor. The 0-to-100 km/h run takes eight seconds, and WLTP-rated range stands at 258 km, with a 30-to-80 percent fast charge completed in 26 minutes.

S5

The S5 is the largest and most performance-oriented model in the range. The sedan spans 4,820 mm in length on a 2,900 mm wheelbase, with 19-inch alloys and nine selectable drive modes.

In its most potent configuration, a dual-motor AWD setup produces 390 kW (530 PS) and 690 Nm, dispatching the 0-to-100 km/h run in 3.7 seconds. A 74.4 kWh LFP battery provides the energy, and DC fast charging brings it from 30 to 80 percent in just six minutes. A Level 2+ driver assistance suite is included.

Excited yet? Watch this space for more updates.