In January 2022, the Sectron RX6 rolled off the production line in batches. After a long wait of two years, this flagship multifunctional RV is about to welcome its first users...
As a large-scale R&D vehicle that is based on European standards, adopts the top European design, and is finally handed over to the intelligent production line of China's modern factory to manufacture to the highest standards, the RX6 has taken on an unprecedented responsibility. Despite the increasingly fierce market competition, the RX6 is not eager to market, but continues to polish: repeated and rigorous testing, verification, tuning, optimization, all to achieve the real domestic "flagship" model should be the excellent quality and performance performance.
For more than two years, what it has experienced and what are the unknown stories, this issue of the tweet to take you to take a peek at the end.
In 2017, Zongshen signed a formal agreement with Norton, a famous British locomotive brand, to jointly develop and manufacture the ND650 twin-cylinder engine. The two parties signed a 20-year design and intellectual property licensing agreement. The main body of the agreement is the joint design and development of a 650cc inline twin-cylinder engine exclusive to Zongshen Seclon by Norton and Ricardo Global Engineering.
In 2018, Zongshen and Ricciardo cooperated to develop a new vehicle platform to carry the 650cc engine developed in cooperation with Norton, which officially gave birth to a European standard RX6 made in China.
Founded in 1915, Ricardo ricardo is one of the four giants of global vehicle engineering and internal combustion engine design, along with AVL in Austria, FEV in Germany, and Southwest Research Institute in the United States. Ricardo is a world-class R&D company, especially in vehicle engineering technology and engine and driveline tuning at the world's top level. In its development history of more than 100 years, it has not only improved the engine of the main battle tank, designed modern wheeled armored vehicles, but also participated in the design of a number of world-renowned models, including bugatti Veyron, McLaren P1, etc.; in addition, the fuel label (fuel octane rating system) that people often mention is also derived from the birth of an aero engine in the early years of Ricardo and subsequent related research.
After the launch of the RX6 project, Zongshen Seclon and the Ricciardo team developed a new 200cc V4 power platform based on the 1200cc V4 power platform provided by Norton in the United Kingdom to design this twin-cylinder water-cooled eight-valve ND650 engine. It adopts the most cutting-edge thermodynamic research results, with advanced mechanism, excellent performance characteristics, its power data benchmarking international first-line brands are not too much, the maximum power of 52kW / 8500rpm (70.7 horsepower), the maximum torque of 62N.m / 7000rpm.
After improving the power platform, Ricciardo carried out a full package design for the RX6 vehicle, including the overall vehicle shape design, a full set of frame development, engine tuning, electronic control system integration, riding texture tuning, etc. This is also a new attempt made in China: with the help of international top design resources, to create an original model that not only meets the international standard, but also has a unique oriental aesthetic.
In April 2019, the Zongshen Seikoron team traveled to the Ricciardo Design Center in Italy to conduct the first round of bilateral evaluation of the RX6 model prototype.
At the same time of evaluation, the development team also made corresponding judgments on the use habits and application scenarios of the model in China, and Zongshen Jiyan and the Ricardo design team jointly put forward new optimization opinions, including appearance, man-machine control evaluation, maintenance analysis and testing, regulatory compliance inspection, detailed structural inspection and so on.
Successfully passing this round of evaluation is only the first step in the mass production and listing of the RX6, which indicates that the general direction of the model is basically fixed, and the functions and positioning are also clearly sorted out. Next, it will undergo more than 2 years of rigorous testing (laboratory testing, closed road testing, open road testing, etc.), laying a solid foundation for a real listing.
Of course, after the design is finalized, the car is also constantly being optimized and adjusted. The core element of everything is to meet the riding needs of the actual user, and to strike a balance between the use case and the performance of the vehicle design. There is a lot of learning, but there is also a lot of research and experimentation, including demand and performance, art and aesthetic habits, cost and technology content, regulations and convenience, and so on. Each link needs to be fully prejudged, then followed by subsequent verification, and then finalized through experimental data and test results. Here are a few examples to show you:
○ Improvement of engine hanger welding process. The use of stiffer reinforcement materials while improving stress structure ensures more stable engine mounting and better vibration suppression.
○ Turn signal shape adjustment. The new matrix LED light cluster design is adopted, which not only makes the appearance more aesthetic, but also improves the actual warning effect.
○ Rear design adjustment and function upgrade. Improve the tail cover seam process to enhance the sense of unity, optimize the tail light design, make it more coordinated and recognizable, and optimize the structure to facilitate the rear driving recorder.
○ Muffler appearance and installation structure improvement. Without affecting the thick exhaust sound wave, the muffler length is shortened as much as possible, the distribution of the vehicle's center of gravity is improved, the body becomes more compact, and the curb weight is also reduced.
○ The engine under the shroud was replaced with a new material. A new nylon + glass fiber blend is selected, which combines strength and toughness with lightweight properties and controllable costs.
○ Comprehensive optimization of the front of the car. Including the replacement of the latest generation of TFT color screen, hand handle holder, upper and lower connection plate re-styling, brake oil cup reinforcement, hood installation optimization (reduce exposed screws) and so on.
In September 2019, at the China International Motorcycle Expo, the RX6 made its global debut and quickly became the focus of the year. Of course, at that time, it was still in the state of engineering prototypes, and Zongshen Saikelong was not in a hurry to bring it to the market.
In order to welcome the birth of RX6, SECRON has created a new AGV intelligent production line, which together with intelligent cutting, eight-axis welding robot and intelligent spraying, has built a powerful intelligent manufacturing system that can ensure maximum quality consistency and reliability.
In April 2020, the RX6 completed the assembly of the first batch of prototypes, and while everyone was waiting for the RX6 to be launched with great anticipation, SECRON "hid" the RX6 and tested it for more than a year. Let the RX6 always be tested on the road, more thoroughly demonstrate the integrity and details of the vehicle, and eliminate the problem as much as possible in the testing stage, which is the attitude that a domestic flagship car should have.
In April 2021, Sekelong held the first meeting of RX6 in Chongqing Zongshen Industrial Park, and some media personnel test-drove the latest engineering prototype of RX6 for the first time.
At the Beijing Motorcycle Exhibition in May 2021, the RX6 was officially released. Judging from the overall impression given to us by the live car on the spot, there has been significant progress in the details compared with a year ago, and many design improvements have become more perfect.
But unexpectedly, Sekolong once again chose to postpone the mass production plan, but let the RX6 "rush to the mountains and seas" first...
From June to August 2021, Sectron held a long-distance road test of "Great Power Scenery" for the RX6, which lasted more than 40 days and a total mileage of more than 15,000 kilometers. The event invited professional riders, media, riders, and R&D and manufacturing supply system personnel to participate, and the team crossed the Northwest China Grand Ring Road, and all eight RX6s successfully completed the long-distance riding task.
As an invited rider, I also participated in the approximately 1,800-kilometer ride from Kashgar to Urumqi. During the whole process, I was deeply impressed by the actual performance of the RX6, especially its unique charismatic hardcore style and the durability characteristics that can be particularly carried, which is indeed an absolutely powerful presence in the same class of cars at this stage.
Of course, in the process of long-distance training, we also found some shortcomings of RX6, as well as the improvements we think should be made, and these can be feedback and exchanges with the technical research experts of the factory at any time on the road, and I believe that the subsequent optimization will be more exciting. The relevant summary report will be met in the follow-up space; as for what improvements the mass production version has and how complete it is, it will soon be able to get the latest state of the mass production car after the festival, and then share it with you.
From August to December 2021, Zongshen Saikelong conducted several expert reviews of the RX6, including engine NVH ride, suspension adaptability, vehicle intelligent equipment optimization and adaptation, and vehicle performance tuning. At this time, RX6 can be regarded as the completion of the strict optimization road.
With the arrival of the 2022 New Year, the Sycoron RX6 has finally ushered in mass production. For a better riding experience and a more international standard model positioning, all the long waits are undoubtedly worth it.
In accordance with the laws and logic of industry to build a good car, not exaggerated, not in a hurry to make quick profits, with a pragmatic attitude to face the market and consumers, such a domestic car, it is worth your personal experience ...