Arcfox appeared to offer a glimpse of its future product plans for South Africa ahead of parent company BAIC’s Africa Partners Conference in Nelson Mandela Bay last week, reports The Citizen.

During a tour of the marque’s factory in the Coega Industrial Development Zone, banners outlining its history and achievements since 2018 included a line-up of current and planned products across the BAIC, Foton and Arcfox brands.

While the Arcfox line-up has not been officially confirmed for South Africa, the images showed three models: The recently launched T1 hatchback, the S3 sedan and the T5 SUV.

Factory banners hint at wider local range

The apparent inclusion of the S3 and T5 followed Arcfox’s announcement at the T1 launch last month that it planned to introduce 20 products in South Africa over an unspecified period.

The expansion forms part of the brand’s broader global growth strategy, with its current international line-up comprising nine models. One of the planned additions is reportedly a bakkie, although no further details have been released.

Although the appearance of the S3 and T5 on the factory banner does not constitute official confirmation, their inclusion suggests that both could eventually join the T1 in the local market.

Electric S3 sedan targets mid-size rivals

The S3 forms part of Arcfox’s Beta family, which also includes the T1, known as the Beta T1 in China.

One of the brand’s newest models, the Beta S3 made its debut at the Beijing Motor Show in April this year.

Based on a variation of the same platform as the T1, the electric sedan measures:

Length: 4 916mm

Wheelbase: 2 876mm

Width: 1 900mm

Height: 1 480mm

Boot capacity is claimed at 578l increasing to 1 746l with the rear seats folded down.

Positioned as a potential competitor to the BYD Seal and Dongfeng 007, the S3 is exclusively electric, with several battery and range configurations available.

The entry-level version offers a claimed range of 460km on China’s CLTC testing cycle. DC charging from 30% to 80% takes a claimed 21 minutes.

The battery-swapping version extends the range to 535km, while another fully electric derivative offers 560km. The flagship model has a claimed range of 660km.

Arcfox has not disclosed the battery capacities on its website. However, all S3 derivatives use a single electric motor mounted on the front axle, producing 159kW and 250Nm.

In China, prices range from 64 800 to 162 800 yuan, equivalent to approximately R159 500 to R400 730 at direct currency conversion, excluding taxes and other costs.

T5 SUV combines electric and range-extender powertrains

The T5, meanwhile, belongs to Arcfox’s Alpha range, which currently comprises five derivatives.

First introduced in 2024, the SUV received an update less than a year later, in 2025. It is available in China with both fully electric and range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) powertrains.

The T5 measures:

Length: 4 760mm

Wheelbase: 2 845mm

Width: 1 936mm

Height: 1 650mm

Boot capacity ranges from 400l to 1 546l with the rear seats folded flat, regardless of the powertrain.

The fully electric range starts with the 560 derivative, which uses a 64.8kWh battery to power a rear-mounted electric motor producing 185kW and 320Nm.

The 660 has a larger 74.4kWh battery and produces 200kW and 360Nm. The flagship 705 retains the same motor outputs but uses a 79.2kWh battery.

The range-extender version takes a different approach. Its 27.4kWh battery powers a 200kW and 365Nm electric motor, while a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 77kW and 132Nm.

The petrol engine acts solely as a generator to charge the battery rather than driving the wheels directly.

Arcfox claims a combined range of 1 215km on the CLTC cycle, with an electric-only range of 215km.

Standard equipment includes a 15.6-inch infotainment display and a head-up display projected onto the windscreen, which also serves as the instrument cluster.

In China, prices for the fully electric T5 range from 123 800 to 158 800 yuan, equivalent to approximately R304 336 to R390 376.

The REEV models are priced from 113 800 to 131 800 yuan, or approximately R279 753 to R324 002.

Brand prepares further announcements for local market

Despite the apparent inclusion of the S3 and T5 in the local product line-up, Arcfox South Africa has not officially confirmed either model for local sales.

More information on the brand’s expansion plans and potential new arrivals is expected in the new year.

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