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  3. Arcfox Beta S3

Arcfox Beta S3

Arcfox Beta S3
$8,800.00
Brand: Arcfox
Category: Electric Cars
Available
  • Drive Type: FWD
  • Body Type: 4-door sedan
  • Self Driving:
  • Airbags: Full Suite

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

5.5
  • PERFORMANCE 5 / 10
  • BATTERY 7 / 10
  • BODY 3 / 10
  • DISPLAYS 5 / 10
  • COMFORT 6 / 10
  • SAFETY 7 / 10

PROS

  1. Battery-swap compatibility with CATL's ChocoSwap network enables a full energy replenishment in 99 seconds.
  2. The 660 km CLTC figure (top plug-in trim) is competitive for the sub-120,000 yuan segment, covering long-distance use cases without range anxiety on a single charge.
  3. Cabin features including front seats that fold flat into a 1.8-metre sleeping surface and a 1.1 m² panoramic roof add a practical comfort layer uncommon at this price point.

CONS

  1. Peak DC charging power has not been confirmed, making it difficult to assess real-world fast-charging competitiveness
  2. The Beta S3 is currently a China-only model with no confirmed export roadmap

The Arcfox Beta S3 is a mid-size electric sedan produced by Arcfox, BAIC Group’s electric vehicle sub-brand, and sits as an entry-to-mid-level model within the brand’s updated lineup — positioned beneath the Alpha-series sedans and above the forthcoming Wendao flagship tier. It is offered as a four-door FWD sedan across eight configurations, covering both conventional plug-in charging and battery-swapping variants. The Beta S3 is notable as the first Arcfox model to integrate CATL’s “Chocolate” battery-swap technology into a mainstream sedan at sub-100,000 yuan price points, a structural move that distinguishes it from plug-in-only rivals in the segment.

Battery capacities range from 44.1 kWh to 65.8 kWh across the charging variants, while the battery-swapping model uses a 54 kWh pack. All range figures are rated on the CLTC cycle: the charging version offers three CLTC range options — 460 km, 560 km, and 660 km — while the battery-swapping model is rated at 535 km. All variants use a permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 159 kW (213 hp) and 250 N·m of torque, with a 0–100 km/h time of 7.1 seconds. Fast charging from 30% to 80% is claimed at 28 minutes or less. Peak DC charging power and AC onboard rate have not been officially confirmed in published launch materials at the time of writing — the 28-minute 30–80% benchmark is the only charging speed figure Arcfox has released.

The Beta S3 launched in China with a price range of 59,800 yuan (approx. $8,800 USD) for the BaaS battery-swap entry trim to 120,800 yuan (approx. $17,800 USD) for the top plug-in configuration. The BaaS model separates battery cost from vehicle purchase price, with monthly rental from 399 yuan ($58) for limited mileage to 599 yuan ($87) for unlimited mileage. Grey-market import pricing for Nigeria and the broader African market is not established; at current exchange rates the base vehicle cost translates to approximately ₦13.7–27.7 million before duties and freight. The Beta S3 suits urban commuters and small families seeking a spacious, tech-equipped sedan with flexible charging or swapping options, particularly in markets where swap infrastructure exists. Within the Arcfox lineup it sits below the Alpha S5 (64.8–79.2 kWh, 560–708 km CLTC, from approx. 174,800 yuan) and above the Alpha T1 entry compact. External rivals at comparable price and segment include the BYD Seal (competing directly on range and price) and the Chery Arrizo 8 EV. The closest single comparison is the BYD Seal, which overlaps on FWD drivetrain configuration, CLTC range bracket, and price band

Arcfox Beta S3 Pictures

Full Electric Vehicle Specifications

MODEL

Full Model Name Arcfox Beta S3
Generation 1st generation
Segment / Class Mid-size sedan (C/D class)
Available Trims / Variants 8 configurations — 3 battery-swap trims, 5 conventional charging trims
Powertrain Options Single motor FWD — all variants
Special Editions 660 Ultra+ LiDAR Intelligent Driving (top trim, Q4 2026 delivery)
Additional Notes Battery-swap variants compatible with CATL ChocoSwap network; BaaS pricing available

LAUNCH

Reveal Date April 24, 2026 (Beijing Auto Show pre-sale)
Launch Year 2026
Availability Status On sale — China only
Brand / Manufacturer Arcfox / BAIC Group
Country of origin China
Assembly Country China (Zhenjiang)
Markets Available China
Base Price (USD) $8,800 (BaaS swap entry trim) — $17,800 (top charging trim)
Additional Notes Charging variants start at 79,800 yuan (~$11,700); BaaS swap entry at 59,800 yuan (~$8,800) + monthly battery rental of 399–599 yuan

BATTERY

Battery Capacity 44.1 kWh / 54 kWh (swap) / 65.8 kWh — varies by trim
Battery Chemistry Lithium-ion
Battery Architecture 400V
Range (WLTP/CLTC/EPA) 460 km / 535 km (swap) / 560 km / 660 km — CLTC cycle
Heat Pump
Charging Time (10–80%) 28 minutes or less
Cell Brand CATL
Additional Notes Swap-compatible trims use CATL ChocoSwap 54 kWh standardised pack; swap completes in 99 seconds

PERFORMANCE

Motor Type Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM)
Motor Configuration Single motor, front-wheel drive
Front Motor Output (kW / HP) 159 kW / 213 hp
Power Output (kW / hp) 159 kW / 213 hp
Torque (Nm) 250 Nm
0–100 km/h / 0-60 mph (seconds) The acceleration numbers are an easy way to compare car performance. We list either time from 0 to 100 km/h or time from 0 to 60mph, depending on which number(s) the manufacturers provide. The lower the acceleration time, the higher performance the car is. 7.1 seconds
Transmission / Drive Single-speed direct drive, FWD
Additional Notes All 8 trims are FWD; no AWD option offered at launch

BODY

Body Style 4-door sedan
Body Colour Options Includes dual-tone pearlescent paint options
Sunroof 1.1 m² panoramic glass roof — standard
Additional Notes Semi-flush door handles; full-width front and rear LED light strips; electrically adjustable rear spoiler on select trims

SAFETY

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Standard
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Standard
Traction Control System (TCS) Standard
Driver Assistance (ADAS) Yes — Yuanjing intelligent driving system (select trims)
ADAS Features High-speed NOA, urban NOA (top trim); LiDAR-equipped on 660 Ultra+
Autonomous Driving System Name Yuanjing (BAIC proprietary)
Autonomous Driving Hardware 192-line LiDAR on top trim; lower trims use camera/radar stack
Additional Notes LiDAR trim (660 Ultra+) scheduled for Q4 2026 delivery

COMFORT

Seating Capacity 5
Roof Type Fixed panoramic glass (1.1 m²)
Ambient Lighting 256-colour ambient lighting — standard
Bluetooth / Wi-Fi Yes
Additional Notes Front seats fold flat with rear to create 1.8 m sleeping space; rear seats recline to 118°; headrests removable to enable flat-bed mode

DISPLAYS

Centre Screen (inches) 15.6-inch floating touchscreen
Driver's Display (inches) 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
Operating System Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip
Mirror Link / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto Apple CarPlay, Carlink, Huawei HiCar

LIGHTING

Headlight Type (LED/Matrix/Laser) LED — split headlamp units
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Full-width segmented LED strip
Tail Light Design Full-width LED tail light
Interior Ambient Lighting 256-colour interior ambient
Additional Notes "Star-ring" light cluster design; closed front grille

INFOTAINMENT & AUDIO

TECHNOLOGY

Additional Notes Battery-swap models integrate with CATL ChocoSwap network app ecosystem (assumed)

OWNERSHIP

Official Dealer Network China only
Spare Parts Availability China
Additional Notes BaaS battery rental includes swap access; non-BaaS buyers own the battery outright

Note

Data Source Carnewschina.com, The Electric Viking, DailyRevs, Jianshiapp.com, Wikipedia (Arcfox S3), official launch materials
Last Updated May 23, 2026
Editor's Note Arcfox has not published a full technical white sheet at launch. A significant number of secondary specs — DC/AC charge rates, suspension, dimensions, weight, tyre size — remain unconfirmed. This sheet will be updated as official documentation becomes available. All range figures are CLTC; no WLTP or EPA equivalent has been published.

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Disclaimer Note

Specifications sourced from manufacturer data and may reflect WLTP, CLTC, or EPA test conditions. Import prices in your local are estimates based on grey-market landing costs and exclude duties, clearing fees, and local taxes. Figures are subject to change without notice. Always verify with your local importer before purchase. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct

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