[Aika Car Test Drive Original]
In 2020, I experienced a pickup truck model that made me very memorable - Changan Kaicheng F70. The F70, endorsed by PSA Group, excels in terms of design, handling, convenience and loading capacity. At that time, I called it the only domestic pickup truck that could make the sound of "cannon" quiet. Today, although the sound of "cannon" has not been quiet, the Kaicheng F70 has not stopped the pace of progress, and ushered in the annual upgrade in the second half of 2021. And today I will drive this 2022 Changan Kaicheng F70 to the snow to spread wilderness, in the cold of -30 ° C to feel the charm of this diesel pickup truck.
Previously, my colleagues and I have conducted a detailed real shooting and test driving experience of the gasoline version of the Changan Kaicheng F70, and interested friends can click on the review chart below to review the wonderful content. This article will focus on the daily driving and off-road experience of the 2.5T diesel version of the model, and friends who are interested in this "diesel gentleman" must not miss this article.
The model of this experience is the 2022 Changan Kaicheng F70 2.5T manual four-wheel drive luxury edition diesel standard shaft, and the manufacturer's guidance price is: 125,800 yuan. This model is a secondary top-of-the-line model in the diesel version. Although the configuration is lower than the 2.5T manual four-wheel drive executive version, the relatively low price and sufficiently rich configuration have also become one of the hottest models in the same class of diesel pickup trucks.
In terms of power configuration, the 2022 Changan Kaicheng F70 continues to be equipped with three powertrains, namely two 2.0T diesel turbo engines, 2.5T diesel turbo engines and a 2.4T gasoline turbo engine. The 2.0T and 2.5T diesel turbocharged engines are capable of bursting out maximums of 110 kW (150 hp) and 120 kW (163 hp), respectively. The 2.4T gasoline turbocharged engine is capable of bursting at a maximum of 155 kW (211 hp).
The model in this test drive is equipped with a 2.5T diesel turbocharged engine code-named JE4D25. Friends who know about diesel engines must be very familiar with this engine, JE4D25 series is a small diesel engine developed from the Italian VM platform by Jiangxi Isuzu, which was first developed as the national V emission version. After the upgrade of The National VI, its exhaust gas treatment module was improved to the DOC+SDPF+SCR scheme (the urea injection system adopts closed-loop control), and the supercharger was changed from FGT to VGT variable-section turbocharger, which will not lose power under the premise of improving environmental protection standards. In the original country V state, the maximum power and peak torque are only 95kW (129 hp) and 320Nm. After upgrading the national VI standard, the maximum power was increased to 110kW (150 hp) and the peak torque was increased to 360Nm. At present, this engine is also installed in the pickup truck models of brands such as Jiangling, Foton and ZTE, and the fuel consumption performance and durability performance are well known.
In terms of transmission system, Changan Kaicheng F70 is still equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed automatic transmission from Zhibang, France. The diesel models are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. Although the diesel version of the model does not provide an automatic transmission for the time being, the addition of the gasoline version of the automatic model can also be regarded as a friend who only has a C2 driver's license to realize his "pickup dream".
One of the great advantages of changan Kaicheng F70 is that it uses the mature chassis technology of PSA Group. In terms of chassis structure, the Kaicheng F70 adopts the front double wishbone independent suspension, and the rear integral bridge is equipped with non-independent suspension of the leaf spring structure.
The KJF70 features a time-sharing four-wheel drive system from BorgWarner and is equipped with an Eaton Tooth Insert Differential Lock on the rear axle. In low-speed all-wheel drive mode, the torque can be amplified by up to 2.48 times.
Experiencing diesel models is naturally to feel the powerful torque output, and this experience of this Kaicheng F70 is a manual four-wheel drive luxury version model equipped with a 2.5T diesel engine. Although the engine has 360 Nm of torque, the power output performance is still very calm. It doesn't take much delicate footwork (oil separation), and the power can be gradually exploded. Unlike gasoline engines, diesel engines have excellent low torque performance, which eliminates the need to pull up the revs and then go upshift. When moving around the city, even if we try to start with 2 gears, the engine will not jitter or obvious fatigue.
It is worth mentioning that the running quality of the engine is delicate in the diesel engine, even if the throttle is slammed, the engine will not make a rough metal impact noise. Especially when driving at low speeds in urban areas, it is quiet like a gasoline engine with a small displacement.
The front 3 gear ratio of the 6-speed manual transmission is relatively compact, coupled with the operation and output characteristics of the diesel generator, so that when driving in the urban area, in order to ensure the smooth driving as much as possible, it is necessary to raise the gear to 3rd gear and above as soon as possible. The gearbox has a long gear shifting stroke, but there is a certain suction sensation when feeding into each gear, and it is also quite tight when retreating, and there is no loose jitter and cheap feeling. The gear division is very clear, even if you first touch the Kaicheng F70, it is not difficult to get started.
The clutch has a longer travel, but the position of the junction is lower. Many people feel that this design is not conducive to novice adaptation, and perhaps it is easier to turn off the engine at the beginning of the gasoline car. On diesel models, I just think this design is more suitable for novices to have their first experience. Especially when the slope rises, the combination of the engine and the gearbox earlier, the power is transmitted to the wheels earlier, and it is almost possible to do not slip.
However, although this KLF70 diesel version is good enough in the performance of the powertrain, its chassis performance I still have to discuss from two different angles. First of all, let's talk about the excellent side of the chassis, which was designed and adjusted by PSA Group and the Chang'an R&D Center in Detroit, USA, and indeed performed remarkablely in terms of toughness and torsion resistance. During the jungle off-road experience, the adhesion wheels provide good support even when the body is continuously potholed and the diagonal wheels are suspended. The front suspension of the double wishbone structure itself is superior to the McPherson and multi-link structure in the ability to resist lateral impact and disperse stress, which is why most hardcore off-road models will use double wishbone front suspension. Especially when withstanding sudden impacts, the front suspension can provide strong support for the whole vehicle, balance the center of gravity of the vehicle front and rear, and improve the stability of off-road. The extended front stabilizer lever provides the driver with a clearer sense of communication while responding to the impact, allowing the driver to judge the vehicle more accurately at the limit.
The rear suspension structure with rear integral axle with leaf springs is the standard for many pickup truck models and commercial vans. Theoretically, this type of rear suspension is basically the bottom of several common suspension forms today, but its durability and load capacity are also the strongest. However, in the off-road experience, although the rear overall axle suspension shows strong integrity and rigidity, but the leaf spring can not effectively absorb gravity and impact, after a continuous pit road surface, the rear axle will have a significant bounce, which is more obvious when driving on the road, we will also introduce later.
Having said the advantages, we are talking about the disadvantages of this chassis system. The frame of Changan Kaicheng F70 adopts a closed trapezoidal structure of 2 longitudinal beams + 7 beams, plus the front double wishbone and rear integral axle suspension, which makes it easy to say that the torsional resistance and rigidity when loading heavy objects and medium and high-strength off-road are not to be said. But driving on city roads, overly hardcore suspension and stronger frames are really not friendly enough for passengers. The experience of the front passengers is slightly better, and the comfort of the rear passengers is basically negligible. Like the more speed bumps, road teeth and road surface sprayed deceleration lines in the city, they will be extremely primitive and simple processing, and then passed to the rear passengers. Especially when passing through the speed bump, it is difficult for rear passengers to sit firmly in the seat. This is the drawback of hardcore suspension, if your off-road and bad road needs are not much, then the Kaicheng F70 is really a bit of a small use.
And I have to say that The Changan Kaicheng F70 is still quite outstanding in the performance of the four-wheel drive system. There are girders, wide wheels, and four low belts, which are the guarantee of the strong passability of the Kaicheng F70. A 29° approach angle and a 27° departure angle are decent in hardcore SUVs or pickup models, but it is enough to cope with medium-difficult off-road conditions. With a front track of 1610mm and a rear track of 1630mm, the advantages of pickup trucks in the same class are quite obvious, what are the benefits of a wide wheelbase? Not only can it have more advantages in driving space and driving stability on bad roads. Most importantly, the wider the wheelbase, the more stable the body when passing through a large angle of slope, and the higher the limit.
The BorgWarner all-wheel drive system equipped with the Kaicheng F70 can amplify the torque by 2.48 times in low-speed four-wheel drive mode. However, in the whole off-road experience, in addition to my deliberate driving of the vehicle to the shell crater section to experience the low-speed four-wheel drive mode, mild off-road does not need to open the low-speed four-wheel drive at all, but replaced by four AT tires may be more important for the general strength of off-road. After turning on the low-speed four-wheel drive mode, while controlling the direction, the oil separation fit also needs to be more precise, so that the adhesion wheel can be freed by high torque and slip limit function. Compared to the stronger ability to get out of trouble brought by the low-speed four-wheel drive, I was surprised by the speed of unlocking the low-speed four-wheel drive. Walking to a relatively flat road, switching to neutral gear, rotating L4 to H4, and switching successfully in about 5 seconds, at least in this price point of pickup truck models, it is already a ceiling-level performance.
Kaicheng F70 ice and snow test drive: the chassis is hard enough!
In terms of exterior design, the 2022 Changan Kaicheng F70 maintains the classic vehicle design elements of the 2021 model. The oversized network, the obvious brand LOGO and the details of the whole vehicle that significantly enhance the sense of refinement have been preserved in the 2022 model.
In the deluxe version (and above configuration) model of the 2022 Changan Kaicheng F70, keyless entry and keyless start functions have also been added. At the same time, configurations like power-folding rearview mirrors have been added to enhance the experience, and convenience and comfort have been significantly improved.
In terms of body size, the length* width * height of the Cathay F70 standard cargo version is 5330 * 1930 * 1835mm, and the wheelbase is: 3180mm. If you're getting started for the first time, you really need to get used to it, and being over 5 meters long will really make you feel a little stressed. However, the Kaicheng F70 has a good view, and with panoramic images and reversing radar, it will actually drive and will not feel bloated because of its large size.
The most important reason why Changan Kaicheng makes me very interested is that this model has worked very hard in terms of overall workmanship and design. A well-designed model can be reflected in the details. Good body proportions and appropriate exaggerated design also make the Kaicheng F70 have a strong enough aura.
In terms of interior design, the Kaicheng F70 is indeed very french car charm. The asymmetrically designed center console uses a color-blocking design, and the edges and contours of the center control shape are also embedded with imitation aluminum trim panels to enhance the sense of sophistication. However, the angular design still conveys a signal to you: "Although I am exquisite, I am still an authentic hardcore pickup."
The steering wheel wrapped in leather and designed with simple multi-function buttons at 3/9 o'clock enhance the high-end feeling of the interior. Perhaps in everyone's impression, pickup trucks are "tough guys" used to do rough work. But tough guys, if they're refined, can be just as fascinating.
The size of the central control LCD screen is very large, reaching 10 inches, even larger than the size of many family cars that focus on technology. The model of this experience is equipped with INCALL 3.0 intelligent vehicle networking system, which not only supports online navigation and interconnection functions, but also realizes popular car-machine functions such as online entertainment, mobile phone remote monitoring of vehicles, voice recognition and remote vehicle diagnosis, further enhancing the sense of technology and playability.
In addition to the improvement in the application of the car, the Kaicheng F70 is equipped with reversing image and Bluetooth connection functions as standard on the standard version and above models. And since the first-class model, it has been equipped with a 360° panoramic image function as standard. And after my actual experience, the display effect is very clear even at night, and the 3D animation in bird's-eye mode is completely distorted. When the turn signals on both sides are turned on, the display can also display the bird's eye view and blind spot synchronously, as a 5.3-meter long big guy, this function is still quite practical.
Nowadays, when cars are using PM2.5 filtering as standard, the Changan Kaicheng F70 as a pickup truck model is also not far behind. The same series is equipped with a CN95 class air filter as standard, which can not only effectively filter the dust and bacteria in the car, but also keep the air in the car clean and fresh when the external weather conditions are bad.
The air conditioning adjustment area under the center console is very similar to the Peugeot model from the button design to the texture. Although the entire series is equipped with manual air conditioning, it is still equipped with a front seat heating function. It is still very practical for the strong cooling temperature and rain and snow weather ushered in by the north in recent days.
Editor's Comments:
Finally, we still have to talk about the pricing of the Kaicheng F70, how much do you think it takes to make such a pickup truck with low-speed all-wheel drive, with girder, rich comfort and comprehensive performance? The answer can shock your jaw... Two-wheel drive models can land for 100,000 yuan, and if you need a certain four-wheel drive passability, then you only need 120,000 to have it. Of course, it's not the most luxurious pickup I've ever experienced, nor is it the best performing pickup. But what I can be sure of is that when I first drove this Kaicheng F70, I was attracted to its diesel heart, and when I actually wanted to take it off-road, I felt a little sad to see such a delicate interior. Maybe I'm a little too deep into the drama, but what man would turn down such a funny big toy?
Highlights review:
Let the "cannon" sound quiet real shot Changan Kaicheng F70 automatic
Test drive Changan Kaicheng F70 once again broke through the limit of tool pickup trucks
Choose no longer a single test drive Changan Kaicheng F70 automatic
Ice and snow test drive Kaicheng F70: wear a suit to do rough work
The model configuration table in this article