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2026 Skywell BE11 gets big upgrades and bigger price cut

Skywell has announced a series of updates and a £5,000 price cut for its BE11 family SUV.

The BE11 was critically panned when it arrived in 2025 but has undergone “significant technical upgrades” in response to feedback from journalists and customers (all 31 one of them).

Among the key upgrades are a new ADAS package developed for UK roads. Functions such as lane keep assist, lane departure warning and blind spot detection which were missing when the car first went on sale have been added, and have been calibrated on UK roads.

The upgrades also add automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition and rear cross traffic alert for the first time. The previous cruise control system has been replaced with an adaptive setup.

Skywell says passenger comfort has been improved with the addition of heating and ventilation to the front seats and electronic adjustment and memory function for the driver’s seat. There is also an optional 15.6-inch touchscreen to replace the standard 12.8-inch unit, additional USB ports and a new three-pin vehicle-to-load socket for UK users.

Along with new equipment, the BE11 has been given a price cut, bringing the most affordable model down to £31,990 from its previous £36,995. That means you can get Skoda Enyaq space for Elroq money. The longer-range model comes in at £34,990 – down from £39,995.

While equipment levels have been upgraded, the BE11’s powertrain remains unchanged. Buyers can opt for a 72kWh battery with a 248-mile range or an 86kWh pack that offers up to 303 miles of range. Both models are driven by a 201bhp front-mounted motor. Both are also still stuck with 80kW DC charging, which means the BE11 takes 45 minutes to get from 10-80% on a rapid charger.

Skywell is a joint project between Chinese domestic electronic manufacturer Skyworth and electric bus maker Nanjing Golden Dragon. Later this year it will introduce two more cars and a van to the UK.  The Skywell Q is a C-segment hatchback to rival the VW ID.3 and Kia EV4, while the Skywell Skyhome will be a D-segment saloon challenger to the Tesla Model 3.

Matt Allan

Matt is Editor of EV Powered. He has worked in journalism for more than 20 years and been an automotive journalist for the last decade, covering every aspect of the industry, from new model reveals and reviews to consumer and driving advice. The former motoring editor of inews.co.uk, The Scotsman and National World, Matt has watched the EV landscape transform beyond recognition over the last 10 years and developed a passion for electric vehicles and what they mean for the future of transport - from the smallest city cars to the biggest battery-powered trucks. When he’s not driving or writing about electric cars, he’s figuring out how to convert his classic VW camper to electric power.

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