Seres a new car company has set its foot in Nepal. Seres founded in Santa Clara, California, USA in 2016, is now a leading Chinese electric vehicle brand with a global R&D presence, owned by Dongfeng Motor Corporation. Seres has brought two cars to Nepal, the Seres 3 and the Seres Mini EV. The Seres 3 is a compact electric SUV whereas the Seres Mini EV is a small electric hatchback as the name suggests.
The Seres 3 delivers some good features in the price segment. It was unveiled at the NADA Auto Show 2023 along with the Seres Mini EV. The electric car is available in two variants priced under Rs 50 million and can be a competitor in the same mid-range electric price segment.
Let us see what the electric compact SUV offers.
Specifications of Seres 3
| Dimensions | Length: 4,385mm Breadth: 1,850 Height: 1,650 |
| Wheelbase | 2,655mm |
| Ground Clearance | 190mm |
| Kerb Weight | 1765kg |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Boot space | 525 litres 800 litres (rear seats folded down) |
| Motor type | PMSM |
| Max Power | 99 kW |
| Max Torque | 300 Nm |
| Battery capacity | 52.7 kWh |
| Range | 405 km (NEDC) |
| Brakes | Front: Disc Rear: Disc |
| Suspension | Front Suspension: Mc Pherson Strut Rear Suspension: Torison Beam Non-Independent |
| Wheel | Alloy 18-inch |
| Tyre size | 225/55/R18 |
| Infotainment screen | 10.25-inch |
| Colours | White | Black | Blue |
| Price | Comfort: Rs 4,799,000 Premium: Rs 4,999,000 |
Design
Exterior
The Seres 3 has a streamlined design, characterised by its bold front and sleek, sharp lines which shows the car’s aggressive and muscular overall look. The grille at the front has some chrome details with blue accents denoting that it is electric like most of the EVs do.
The LED headlights are curved with DRLs which go together very well. The swept-back appearance contributes to the compact electric SUV’s sporty aesthetic. The front indicators are also imbedded into the inner side touching the grille of the car of the headlight.
On the rear, the Seres 3 maintains its stylish appeal, featuring striking LED taillights connected by an engaging light bar. These taillights are generously sized and elegantly wrapped around the sides of the vehicle, augmenting its visual presence and conveying a wide and commanding stance.
The car has 18-inch alloy wheels with white and gunmetal options. The alloy wheels help the car be aerodynamic helping increase the range and the performance. The tyres are of size 225/55/R18 on both the front and the rear.
Interior
The Seres 3 has a simple interior design that has both comfort and functionality. The seats are wrapped in leather and give a premium finish. The front seats are also electrically adjustable and equipped with heated cushions and backrests. Meanwhile, the rear seats are spacious and can seat 5 people The rear seats can be folded down, which increases the boot space from 525 litres to 800 litres.
The front dash of the Seres 3 is also modern with a clean layout, utilising soft-touch materials that elevate the aesthetics. The centrepiece of the dashboard is a large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It is compatible with popular platforms like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which gives functions such as navigation, music and other information.
The instrument cluster on the front 10.25-inch digital display. It displays the speedometer, odometer, trip meter, range, battery level, driving mode, gear position, time, turn signals and warning lights. The steering wheel also has volume buttons track, skip buttons, voice control buttons, cruise control buttons and phone call buttons.
Accompanying the infotainment are physical buttons and knobs for crucial functions like climate control, offering a blend of modern technology and user-friendly interface. The central console also incorporates handy storage compartments and a wireless charging pad for smartphones, adding to the overall convenience and connectivity within the Seres 3. Rear passengers benefit from dedicated vents, although without individual temperature control.
Performance
The Seres 3 electric car has a good performance for its price range. Its PMSM motor enables a maximum power output of 99 kW and a maximum torque of 300 Nm. It is powered by a 52.7 kWh battery, delivering a range of 405 km. The range is NEDC claimed and is quite good in the current market. The Seres 3 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds.
The transmission is automatic with an FWD drive type. It has a top speed of 160 km/h. It can be charged using the given 3.3 kW charger in about 10 hours. Using a 147 kW DC fast charger it can charge fully in about an hour.
Brakes and Suspension
The Seres 3 electric car is equipped with proper braking and suspension systems for a smooth ride. The brakes feature discs both in the front and rear, enhancing the vehicle’s braking efficiency and safety. It also has Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) for further safety during harsh conditions.
In terms of suspension, the front utilizes a McPherson Strut system whereas the rear uses a Torsion Beam Non-Independent suspension.
Safety and features
The Seres 3 has two variants, comfort and premium. Both options are the same in terms of dimensions, looks, performance and build. The differences in the options are in the safety and features part. In terms of safety both the Seres 3 Comfort and Premium get 6 airbags on the front, side and curtains.
Both also have ESP, EBS/ABD, auto hold and HDC, TPMS, cruise control, rear parking sensor and traction control.
The Premium option gets three more safety features front collision warning, 360 camera and traction control.
In terms of other features, the Comfort and the Premium get they are differentiated as below.
| Features | Comfort | Premium |
| Panaromic Sunroof | – | * |
| LED Headlights | * | * |
| DRLS | * | * |
| Auto Fold ORVMS | – | * |
| Keyless Entry | * | * |
| Multi-Drive Mode | Eco, Normal, Sport | Eco, Normal, Sport |
| Multi Steering Mode | Comfort, Normal and Sport | Comfort, Normal and Sport |
| Automatic Climate Control | * | * |
| Rear Vents AC | * | * |
| Seat Heating | – | * |
| Heated ORVM | – | * |
| Rain Sensing Wipers | * | * |
| Dash Cam | – | * |
| Roof rails | – | * |
| One Touch Window | All | All |
| Anti-Pinch Window | All | All |
The Seres 3 is available in 3 different colours in Nepal; White, Black and Blue.
The price of the Seres 3 in Nepal for the Comfort option is Rs 4,799,000 and for the Premium, option is Rs 4,999,000.
