"If you want the horse to run, you must first give the horse enough grass", people often use this saying to describe the relationship between the performance of the car and fuel consumption, that is, if you want the car to run far and fast, it is inevitable to consume more fuel. However, in the era of full electrification of the automotive industry, this sentence has gradually ceased to be true, and many models equipped with hybrid systems (including HEV, PHEV and range extender) are not only full of power, ultra-high endurance, but also have a much lower fuel consumption level than pure fuel vehicles of the same level.
Taking the Changan UNI-K iDD we test drove today as an example, the new car is equipped with the Changan Blue Whale iDD plug-in hybrid system, iDD is the abbreviation of intelligent Dual Drive, meaning intelligent dual drive. The 1.5T hybrid special engine makes it only 5L/100km in the feed state, while the 30kWh high-energy battery pack can provide 130km of pure electric endurance, and the single full oil full battery life exceeds 1100km. What's more, the UNI-K iDD is also a medium-sized SUV with a length of 4.9 meters, which is rich in space and highly practical.
In terms of design and styling, Changan Automobile is undoubtedly the leader of domestic independent brands in the past two years, and its UNI series models are really eye-catching.
The Changan UNI-K iDD in front of the face is consistent with the fuel version of the model in the overall design, and the nose shape inspired by the shark nose posture is the iconic feature of the UNI family, and the narrow light group shape and the sci-fi grille style are full of aura. In order to show the unique plug-in hybrid identity of the new car, Changan customized its own Sen hai blue paint assembly color.
The headlights are all LED light sources, officially called "starship-style" designs, and the flat style does look more aggressive. The turn signal is a popular flowing water dynamic effect, and the LED daytime driving at the bottom looks like a short sword.
The sides of the new car look very thick, and the high waist line design makes the proportion of side windows relatively small, and at the same time makes the "lower plate" appear more substantial. The slightly protruding rear of the car has a scent of a coupe-style SUV, which, with the presence of the top spoiler, adds a good sense of sport.
In terms of size, its length, width and height are 4865/1948/1690mm, and the wheelbase is 2890mm. The size is one size larger than WEY's Macchiato and BYD Song Pro DM-i, and closer to Don DM-i.
The charging port of Changan UNI-K iDD is all concentrated on the right rear side of the body, as a plug-in hybrid SUV, in addition to the AC charging port, it is also equipped with a more efficient DC fast charging interface.
Under DC fast charging, it takes about 30 minutes for the new car to complete 30-80% SOC charging.
The rim size is an exaggerated 21 inches, which is a configuration that has only appeared on high-end performance SUVs in the past, the two-color multi-spoke style looks very classy, and the bright orange large brake caliper is also quite impactful. The tires are the horse brand MAX Contact MC6 series, with a size of 265/45 R21, which is very balanced in performance and costs a lot of money per strip.
In addition to the Coupe-style slip elements and large spoiler we mentioned above, there are a lot of popular designs in the rear. Including a very three-dimensional, horizontal taillight set decorated by a black background, the lighting effect is outstanding, in addition to the bilateral two out of the sports exhaust, the wide tail throat style makes people bloody.
In terms of interior, the main difference between Changan UNI-K iDD and the fuel version is also in the color matching, but because the foundation itself is playing well, the interior of the new car is still very fresh and interesting compared to many of the current herd design routes.
First of all, the center console of Changan UNI-K iDD is not the same, and the long rectangular full-LCD instrument is like an arch bridge sunken deep into the left side, closer to the windshield. The 12.3-inch machine LCD screen adopts irregular shape, suspended on the center console, and the overall look is staggered and layered.
The multi-function steering wheel adopts an upper and lower flat bottom design, emphasizing the sense of movement, and its grip is also relatively thick and full. The two sides are arranged with commonly used multi-function buttons, the left side can set and adjust the driving assistance related, and the right side is the conventional instrument and entertainment function operation.
The LCD gauge actually consists of three screens, which is a bit of a mech cockpit feeling in anime. The middle is responsible for the display of general information, three theme modes can be switched, and support the navigation map projected to its interior, convenient for the driver to view; the left is a simple vehicle status display, including doors, tailgates, tire pressure, etc.; the right side can display power, fuel, range and entertainment information, through the corresponding buttons on the steering wheel, you can also switch to the streaming media rearview mirror mode, the same can be operated during driving.
The display effect of the central control large screen is more delicate, the UI interface is simple and intuitive, and the single screen of the main interface can display three commonly used card-type information, and support customization. The operation of the whole system is quite smooth, and more graphical interface effects are more beautiful and more technological. The new car is equipped with commonly used applications such as AutoNavi Map, QQ Music, and Douyin, and supports self-download and expansion of other three-party APPS in the later stage, as well as OTA updates.
Voice assistants have always been the strengths of our domestic brands, and Changan UNI-K iDD is no exception, and its voice function is provided by iFLYTEK, which supports wake-free continuous dialogue, context recognition and cross-scene recognition, etc., and the communication method is also more warm. In addition, the new car also provides gesture control functions, in some cases, you can move your fingers without opening your mouth.
The design of the central control area is quite simple and atmospheric. The top is a wireless charging slot for mobile phones with a cover plate; the aircraft-style electronic barrier is leather-coated with the "UNI" series logo; the hexagonal cup holder is very delicate with a limited bitter; and the driving-related function control is combined with buttons + knobs, which has an excellent texture.
The high-end Changan UNI-K iDD is equipped with a Sony brand sound that supports stereo and surround sound effects. Two separate speakers on the driver's seat headrest also offer an unusual immersion mode.
The sports-style seats in double color block are made of leather and Alcantara materials, and are decorated with diamond-shaped patterns, which is high-quality enough. The main and co-pilots all support electrical adjustment, and the side of the co-pilot also has a boss button designed for rear C passengers.
In terms of power, Changan UNI-K iDD is equipped with a plug-in hybrid system composed of Blue Whale NE 1.5T hybrid special engine + triple-clutch electric drive transmission + high-energy battery pack. The system has a combined output of 210kW, the maximum cruising range of a single full fuel and full power is more than 1100km, and the fuel consumption in the feed state is only 5L/100km.
The Blue Whale NE 1.5T hybrid engine uses Miller cycles with thermal efficiency of up to 45%, its maximum power is 125 kW (170 hp), and the maximum torque is 260 Nm. The engine also featured intelligent lubrication, efficient combustion and electrification of the front gear train for the hybrid system, and eliminated the traditional starter motor.
Blue Whale triple-clutch electric drive transmission, can be simply understood as a set of 6-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission, and the P2 motor is a combination, and the motor and engine end are added to a clutch device. With a maximum power of 85 kW (110 hp), the P2 motor can drive the vehicle alone or as a starter to drive the engine.
This motor uses S-winding winding technology, which uses flat wire windings like Hair-pin hairpin motors, which is more efficient. The difference is that it can be more space-saving in the axial direction and more suitable for the characteristics of the P2 motor.
The total energy of the power battery is 30kWh, which supports the NEDC comprehensive working condition pure electric endurance of 130km, both of which are higher than the BYD Tang DM-i.
The P2 motor structure Blue Whale Hybrid System adopted by Changan UNI-K iDD is mainly based on smooth and energy saving, which can provide a smoother driving experience. The entire acceleration process of the vehicle is very linear, even if the accelerator pedal is deep, the power output has a gradual process, not as grumpy as the direct drive of the motor, which is also in line with the positioning of the flagship level of the UNI-K series.
The adjustment of the driving mode appears thick and thin on the new car, Changan UNI-K iDD provides HEV, EV and i-X three, there is no other plug-in and mixed model of the complex crossover multi-driving mode adjustment, relatively simple and rough.
The fine performance is that the i-X mode is a "love space" that can support a rich driving experience of different experiences, and the Changan UNI-K iDD system has built-in "surging power", "Buddhist long endurance", "camping mode", and can also customize various options. The first two are easier to understand, but explained more, camping mode is similar to the power retention function, which can maintain the battery level at 70% SOC for later external discharge.
Our test drive of the Changan UNI-K iDD top model is also equipped with L2 level intelligent driving assistance function, the commonly used adaptive cruise and lane keeping actual experience are not bad, the acceleration and deceleration timing is OK, and the steering wheel has less redundant correction actions. However, it should be noted that after turning on assisted driving, the vehicle will automatically distribute the power output and cannot switch driving modes.
In addition to the driving experience, double laminated glass and excellent noise control make the vehicle's NVH performance excellent, and the interior is very quiet. In particular, the engine noise and the timing of the intervention are difficult to detect without carefully feeling it. The integrity of the chassis is quite ok, there is no delay when turning and changing lanes, and the adjustment of the suspension is relatively neutral, not soft and hard, which is very in line with the positioning of urban SUVs.
Editor's summary: Changan Automobile revealed that this UNI-K iDD began to set up the project as early as 5 years ago, and after years of technology research and development, it was finally introduced to the market at the right point in time at the end of 2021. Why? 2021 can be said to be the year of the explosion of hybrid technology, the Great Wall's DHT, BYD DM-i, Geely's Hi · X and so on have come out this year, and the products have also been launched at a fast pace. Changan UNI-K iDD just caught up with this wave of boom, and the attention and user acceptance ability are not the same as earlier, which is a bit of a bargain.
However, at the same time, Changan UNI-K iDD will also face more similar competitors and need to prove itself through hard power in the market. It is reported that the new car will soon be on the market, we will wait and see.