Among the models launched last week, there are two blockbusters: the second-generation GS8 and the model. As a former Internet celebrity car, but also the pioneer of the independent brand of medium (large) seven-seat SUV, can the development of GS8 to the second generation bring us greater surprises? Why does Uncle Ka say that the second-generation GS8 has changed even more than it seems?
The model's name itself comes with its own traffic, but it is not the historical type. That is, it is not a high-performance version of the Civic, but just a sister car of the Civic. However, is this the amount of information in the type that ends here?
The Tiggo 7 continues to launch the Super Edition, this time with a focus on the 1.5T version. So, where is the "super power" of this super version?
New Tiggo 7 Super Edition: More precisely caters to the target group?
Listing date: December 10
Brand: Chery
Guidance price: 8.69-11.19 million yuan
Level of concern: ★★★ (more important new remodeled cars)
Keywords: sporty, red and black matching, increase and price reduction, 1.5T, hot sales
The super version of the Tiggo 7 is only equivalent to the 1.5T version added to the super version listed in April, and the guidance price of the 1.6T version has been adjusted. However, on the one hand, when the super version was listed in April, due to the large number of new cars, our weekly review "selectively ignored", on the other hand, after the super version was listed, the overall performance of the Tiggo 7 was indeed on a higher level, so it is necessary to take advantage of the listing of the 2022 model to "make up for it" quick evaluation.
The first generation of Tiggo 7 is a typical "applause is not popular", but it does make Chery more clearly aware of market demand. In the second generation, Chery did not stop doing two, and directly used the Tiggo 8 that has been proven successful to launch the Tiggo 7, which was really good. However, perhaps the initial version of the listing is not accurate enough in grasping the needs of the terminal, although the sales of the second generation of Tiggo 7 have a qualitative leap compared with the first generation, but there is still some distance from the popularity.
And this super version, it should be said that it is more in place than the previous version to meet the needs.
To be fair, the Super Edition is nothing more than a "sporty package" version of the regular version. Mainly in the appearance, interior and color matching, a lot of red and black elements have been added to make the whole vehicle look more sporty. But even this simple packaging, the effect is very good.
In addition, Chery is also based on the super version, and has made some adjustments to the configuration price of the Tiggo 7. For example, the 1.6T super energy version listed in April, under the condition that the guidance price remains unchanged, has added many high-gold configurations including side airbags, side air curtains, main co-pilot electric seats, and so on. The 2022 model further lowered the guidance price by 7,000 yuan - the increase and the price reduction correspond to the increase in cost performance.
The newly launched 1.5T version, on the one hand, greatly reduces the purchase threshold compared with the 1.6T super energy version (the starting price is reduced from 102,900 yuan to 86,900 yuan), on the other hand, compared with the ordinary version of 1.5T, the configuration is comparable, there is a price advantage of about 10,000 yuan - for this price model, this strength is not small.
Since the second-generation Tiggo 7 was listed, monthly sales have been hovering below 10,000 vehicles. In the most recent October and November months, monthly sales exceeded 12,000 units. Although there are fluctuations in production and sales caused by chips, it can also explain the terminal's recognition of Tiggo 7. After this super version of the upgrade, the next step of Tiggo 7 to maintain such a monthly sales, or even go up the ladder is entirely possible.
The new Trumpchi GS8: More changes than it looks like compared to the first generation?
Listing date: December 12
Brand: GAC Trumpchi
Guidance price: 18.68-246,800 yuan
Level of concern: ★★★★★ (very important new car series)
Keywords: 2nd Generation, Toyota Hybrid, 4th Generation THS, 2.0TM, 3rd Generation Miller, Dual Front Face, Spread Wings, Dragon Scale Wing, Conquering Eye, 12.3+14.6 inches, ADiGO 4.0, AR-HUD, AVDC Shadow Rider, Julang, Aisin 8AT, GPMA Architecture L platform
Highlander's many years of "sealing the gods" has not only attracted the followers of N more joint venture brands, but also the independent brands - at present, the seven medium/medium and large SUV segments of Chinese brands have begun to take shape, and its pioneer is Trumpchi GS8.
I don't know if anyone remembers the scenery at the beginning of the listing of the Trumpchi GS8 - just the appearance of the auto show, it became a "net red car" because of its high attention. After the launch, it continued to sell more than 5,000 units a month – a sales performance that no model (of the same size) could match except for the Highlander. Subsequently, with the past of "early adopters", the sales of GS8 also returned to the normal level of one or two thousand vehicles sold per month. Even so, the GS8 is the best-selling of its kind.
Obviously, GAC Trumpchi is not satisfied with the performance of the first generation GS8. The key is that based on the market feedback of the first generation of GS8, GAC Trumpchi should have more experience on how to build such cars and better meet the needs of the target group. This is the background of the second generation of GS8, and it is also one of its biggest expectations.
From the overall performance of the second generation of GS8, whether it is a static exterior interior space or a dynamic driving experience, it should be said that compared with the first generation, there has been a "rebirth" type of change - although, at first glance, their style is still continued, it is still a relatively "MAN" type.
Although the first generation of GS8 belongs to the "square box" shape as a whole, the details are as rounded as possible. In the second generation, however, designers were clearly no longer bound by this, but instead used more sharp straight lines. And it is precisely this approach, in the eyes of Uncle Ka, more coordinated, so that the visual impact of the whole vehicle to a higher level. If you draw an analogy, the first-generation GS8 may also be reminiscent of Infiniti's full-size SUV, while the second generation is more like a large category with Cadillac's models. Note that this is just about style – from the first generation to the second generation, the GS8 did not have any traces of imitation in it.
The interior of the first generation GS8 was well received. After the second generation is turned upside down, it is estimated that the praise will be higher - whether it is a 14.6-inch large screen, or the shape of the full LCD instrument, and even the details of the gear handle and the center console, which are quite worthy of scrutiny, and belong to the type of design and exquisiteness.
The expansion of size and wheelbase was expected, and the space expansion was even better than expected. The second row, in particular, doesn't have the usual second row of most three-seater SUVs, but has the extravagant legroom of a large five-seat SUV like the Crown Road. Although the third row is still "squatting bench", the legroom has also improved – more or less more comfortable than in the past.
Compared with the sensory earth-shaking, the three major pieces and internal performance of the second generation of GS8 have also "great changes". First of all, the platform has changed. That's not the main thing. What's important is that designers have clearly heard market feedback that the driving texture of the first generation of GS8 is "not as good as it looks", while the second generation is as consistent as possible. This is the quality that a medium-sized SUV at a price point of 200,000 should have.
The main changes to the fuel powertrain are the Aisin 8AT, as well as the more sophisticated tuning. That's not the point. The focus is on the hybrid version, which uses the same fourth-generation THS - high-power version of the motor that highlander, so that the electric drive assistance and fuel saving characteristics are better. Somewhat regrettably, it uses nickel-metal hydride battery packs like Highlander. Otherwise, if you switch to a lithium battery with a larger discharge rate, you should be able to better play the performance of the motor.
The biggest difference from Highlander's twin engines is the engine: GAC uses its own 2.0T engine instead of Toyota's 2.5L. This also shows the compatibility of THS - not only with its own engine. As a model paired with a hybrid system, this 2.0T is also different. For example, it uses a Miller cycle, and the power and torque are much smaller than the fuel version of the 2.0T (190 hp vs 252 hp, 320 Nm vs 400 Nm). In terms of power value, this 2.0TM engine is also similar to Highlander's 2.5L. Therefore, from the performance level, there is no need to have more expectations for this system of GAC - it is still a hybrid style, and it is still better at driving on urban roads. Its biggest highlight is still fuel consumption: WLTC working conditions of 5.96L, the actual urban road can really be controlled at the level of about 6L, which is this level of pure fuel vehicles do not want to think.
At the level of the final product strategy, the second generation still maintains a high-end start-up strategy, and does it more extremely than the old model - the starting configuration is higher, and it can also provide a higher configuration model that the old model does not have. The idea is correct: consumers who buy this level of model are obviously more focused on "good" than "cheap".
Specifically, in the case of an increase in the price of the entry-level model of only 1,000 yuan, the configuration has added a full-featured intelligent driving system (with full-speed adaptive cruise, adaptive headlights), and also added a built-in driving recorder, a larger screen, and the machine function is standard with gesture control facial recognition. Coupled with the blessing of 8AT, the cost performance improvement is still quite considerable.
The starting price of the hybrid version of 228,800 yuan is indeed not low, but it is also related to the start of its "premium version" - the premium version of the fuel version is also 205,800 yuan. The hybrid version increased by 23,000 yuan, although there is no surprise, but it is also within the acceptable range. The point is that with this system, the second-generation GS8 can really be "compared" with the new Highlander - in addition to the brand, other aspects, including the aura, really have a fight. The configuration price level of the second generation of GS8's premium version configuration is higher than the Highlander top configuration - which is equivalent to the difference between the two in the case of the same configuration has exceeded 100,000 yuan - for some groups, this can not be said to be without temptation.
In summary, the second generation of GS8 compared with the first generation, it is indeed an "all-round improvement", and the competitiveness is really not the same. With these, is it possible for the second-generation GS8 to regain the glory of the first generation when it was listed? It's worth watching and looking forward to.
Type: Civic also plays a two-car strategy, is this time a big win?
Listing date: December 16
Brand: Guangqi Honda
Guidance price: 12.99-16.69 million yuan
Keywords: Civic sister car, INTEGRA, hard sweet potato, MT, 18-inch rim, 240TURBO start, BOSE audio, Acura new car with the same name
In the past, Hiromoto has always lacked compact cars, so he has to make a whole Lingpai himself. The first generation of Ling Pai actually wants to be positioned on the same level as The Civic, but the foundation is too weak, so now it is very honest to retreat to the lower market segment. The standard compact class has long been "conspired", that is, a new generation of Civic sister cars.
This should be considered The Civic's first two-vehicle strategy. At this point, Honda's main global models - Accord, CR-V, Fit, Civic, all "dual vehicles".
However, in the naming of the type, Hiromoto still took a hard time. The INTEGRA used to be a very famous performance car in the Honda family, and you can even think of it as a precursor to the Type-R. What's even more interesting is that among the new cars planned by Acura, there is also an INTEGRALGRA, and it is also a model of the same origin as the Civic. It can be seen that Hiromoto is really "fighting" in the naming of this new car.
And that's not all. INTEGRA has many folk transliterations in the country, such as many people jokingly refer to it as hard sweet potato. In fact, it is also one of the names circulated in folklore. As a "Guangdong Japanese", Guangben chose this cantonese name, which is also quite appropriate.
Even though the model is a brand new series, and even if it's quite interesting, there's not much to say about the car — 90 percent of everything can be referenced to civic.
What about the remaining 10%? One is the appearance, more precisely the design of the front face and the tail - the change in the shape is still quite large, and the difference in appearance is also quite obvious.
In terms of specific equipment, the style also creates two concerns that are easy to resonate with fans. One is to offer an MT version – although it is only a "beggar in a beggar" version, it is actually just right. Because the people who buy MT today are different from the past, they basically don't want to save money, but to "play". Since it is "playing", that is, changing, getting off the track, etc., those fancy configurations are redundant, it is better to save them all and reduce the price to the end. However, is the MT version of 129,900 yuan "in the end"? After all, just add another 13,000 yuan, not only become the automatic version (CVT), but also a lot more configuration.
The other offers rims and tires for the 225/45 R18. Compared to the Civic's 215/50 R17 combination, it is expected that the sportiness will be better.
In addition, the model also played a gimmick on the sound equipment - the top configuration provided BOSE sound. This is the first time that Honda has been equipped with a BOSE sound in a model produced in China, and even the crown road does not have this treatment.
However, for most people, the type and civic can still be equated. In particular, the two main versions, the 142,900 yuan and 149,900 yuan models, not only have the same price, but also have the same configuration. Such a tit-for-tat combination is really rare in a two-vehicle strategy. But don't worry about the infighting between them. Countless examples have proved that the result of the dual-vehicle strategy is more to promote each other, so that consumers have more choices and make the cake bigger together. Only competitors other than Honda will be threatened.
We mentioned before when the new Civic was launched, it is a very big change compared to the previous model. Not only has the style changed, but the technology configuration has been greatly improved while the price has been reduced. All these efforts have been confirmed in the market. At present, the sales volume of the Civic has begun to approach the 30,000-vehicle mark, which is unprecedented. Based on the commonality of type and Civic, it is likely that it can also get good sales. Of course, due to the failure of the model to provide a lower priced version of the 180TURBO, coupled with the preconceived effect of many sister cars (Haoying is not as good as CR-V, Yingshipai is not as good as Accord, Leiling is not as good as Corolla, etc.), it is probably not realistic for the model to reach the current sales level of the Civic.