As a leading third-party automobile quality evaluation platform in China, Car Quality Network launched the "New Car Commercial Evaluation" column based on a large number of automotive product test samples and scientific data models. Every month, for several models on sale that have been listed in China for less than two years and have a mileage of no more than 5,000 kilometers, through the two dimensions of objective data and subjective feelings, senior evaluators use professional equipment to systematically test and evaluate to comprehensively display and analyze the overall commercial level of new cars in the domestic automobile market, and provide consumers with objective and true opinions and references when purchasing vehicles.
The high-end road of independent brands is now on the right track, and the emergence of a large number of high-quality high-end SUVs has begun to make consumers re-examine the differences between joint venture brands and independent brand models. GAC Trumpchi's new GS8 is one of them, revealing exquisite designs everywhere that are unforgettable. Not only that, it also provides a model equipped with Toyota's fourth-generation THS hybrid system, which undoubtedly reassures many consumers who are not confident about the power system of their own brand models. According to the data of the car quality network, as of press time, the cumulative number of complaints of the 2022 GAC Trumpchi new GS8 since its listing is only 11, and the short-term quality word-of-mouth performance is worth affirming. In the future, can the car continue the existing quality reputation performance? Will there be some new problems that are difficult for ordinary consumers to discover? This issue of "New Car Commercial Evaluation" will break through the fog for you, through the objective data and subjective feelings of the two dimensions, restore a real 2022 GAC Trumpchi new GS8.
1. Objective data
This project mainly shows the performance of the new car in terms of commerciality in the form of objective data through field tests of 12 items such as body technology, paint film level, interior air quality, vibration and noise, parking radar and lighting/vision.
In the body process testing session, a total of 10 key parts of the vehicle are selected, and 3 key points are selected for measurement in each key part to evaluate the uniformity of the gaps in each key part. Judging from the test results, the data uniformity of the key test points of the new GS8 is excellent, and the gap in the vehicle is small, even if the gap between the trunk and the left and right rear fenders is higher than that of other parts, but it is also within a reasonable range. On the whole, the body process of the car is excellent, better than the tested models of the same class.
In the paint film level test, through the test results, it can be found that the average thickness of the paint film of the new GS8 is about 148.2 μm, although it exceeds the standard value of the advanced car (120 μm -150 μm). Judging from the test data of each key part, the average thickness of the paint film at most test points is about 150μm, and the average thickness of the paint film at the roof is slightly lower, but it still exceeds the standard value of the high-end car, and on the whole, the paint film level of the car is not only at the upstream level compared with the tested self-owned brand models of the same level, but even better than the performance of some joint venture brand models.
In the in-vehicle air quality testing link, the vehicle is placed in the internal surface parking lot with fewer vehicles, and the formaldehyde component is not detected in the new GS8 vehicle, and the content of inhalable particulate matter is also low, which is in line with the relevant standards in the "Guidelines for Air Quality Evaluation in Passenger Vehicles" (National Standard OF THE People's Republic of China GB/T 27630-2011) jointly issued by the former Ministry of Environmental Protection and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China since March 1, 2012.
In the static noise test, the new GS8 measured 30dB in the vehicle noise value at rest, which has reached the minimum value of the test instrument. Then start the vehicle, because the car uses a gasoline-electric hybrid system, the engine does not intervene in the idle state when the power is sufficient, so the noise value in the incoming car is consistent with the stationary state, still 30dB. In addition, also due to the reason of the hybrid system, the middle of the full liquid crystal instrument mainly to the energy consumption meter to display the power output status, although the digital tachometer is provided, but the engine can not maintain the speed stable at 2000 rpm and 3000 rpm in the idling state, so it is impossible to measure the accurate noise value of the engine into the car.
In the air conditioning noise test, the test instrument is placed at a position of about 10cm from the air conditioner outlet, and then the air conditioning air volume is adjusted from small to large, and the noise value of the driver's position in different gears is measured. After actual measurement, the air conditioning air volume of the new GS8 has a total of 7 gears, the noise value of the air volume is 38.5dB when the air volume is in the starting gear, and the measured noise value is 72.8dB when the highest grade is opened, and the overall noise test performance is at an average level compared with the tested models of the same level.
After actual measurement, in the idle state, the new GS8 for the engine into the car vibration suppression performance is decent, the steering wheel test point in the idle speed and air conditioning load two states measured data are about 0.1mm / s and 0.4mm / s, the front seats in the two states measured data are about 0.2mm / s and 0.3mm / s, the rear seats are about 0.3mm / s and 0.4mm / s. It is worth mentioning that the engine did not intervene in the idle state, so on the whole, the overall test results are at an average level in the same class.
In addition, we tested parking radar, lights/vision, control systems, tire hubs, sunroofs, seats, and trunks. Although the new GS8 is equipped with a full-vehicle radar, only the rear radar is a common four-stage type, and the front radar is a two-stage type, which is prone to untimely reminders of obstacles in front. In addition, although the new car is equipped with a large 20-inch rim, the flat ratio can still reach 50, taking into account both beauty and comfort.
Second, subjective feelings
The project was subjectively evaluated by a number of reviewers on the actual performance of the new car in terms of static and dynamics. Among them, the static aspect includes four parts: exterior, interior, space and human-computer interaction; the dynamic aspect includes acceleration, braking, steering, driving experience and driving safety. Finally, the total score is given with reference to the subjective evaluation opinions given by the judges, so as to reflect the actual performance of the new car in terms of commerciality from the perspective of subjective feelings.
In the external feeling evaluation, the new GS8 top version of the test drive is equipped with a headlight called the Eye of Conquest, when the daytime light is turned on, the four LED light sources will weaken the brightness and connect with the LED light strip below, just like exquisite decorations, and when the far/low beam lights are turned on at night, the four LEDs will gradually brighten up, which is more functional at this time.
In addition, the new GS8 performs equally well in terms of engine compartment opening, engine compartment interior layout and configuration. The opening of the engine hatch only needs to continuously pull the inner handle of the car twice, and then cooperate with the double hydraulic support rod to directly lift the opening, which is practical and in line with the positioning of its high-end SUV.
In the interior section, the exquisite design of the new GS8 and the excellent materials show a strong texture. The huge 14.6-inch multimedia touch screen concentrates almost all functions here, with a simple UI design, full of technology. However, because of this, many functions need to be familiar to get started. For example, if you want to turn off the front air conditioner, it is impossible to only click on the air volume icon below the screen, and the air volume can only be adjusted to 1 gear at the minimum, and it cannot be completely turned off. The correct way to operate is to click on the temperature icon and enter the air conditioning interface before you can operate. At the same time, the main menu of the multimedia system does not provide a separate icon for the air conditioning control interface, which is slightly difficult for people who are not familiar with this operating system.
In addition, although the overall design of the new GS8 car engine system is reasonable, in actual use, it will be found that there is a tailing phenomenon in the left and right sliding screens, and there will be delays when some functions are started, and there is room for improvement in the fluency of the system. There is also a one-button start button located on the left side of the barrier, which is not ideal in position design and is prone to accidental touch.
In terms of seating space, the new GS8 six-seater version of the test drive can provide every passenger with a spacious and comfortable riding experience, with sufficient space in the car and no serious crowding. However, although the second row of seats is equipped with a one-button quick folding function, the passage in and out of the third row is still relatively narrow. At the same time, in terms of storage space, the number and volume of storage slots in the car are remarkable, but some storage slots are slightly inconvenient to use, such as the front USB and 12V power interfaces are located in the storage slots below the hierarchical central channel, which will block the line of sight when used, and the convenience is not high.
In terms of human-computer interaction system, it can be awakened by "Hello, Xiaoqi" or "Xiaoqi, Hello" voice, and does not support custom change of wake-up word. The overall experience of the voice function is excellent, the dialect recognition rate is high, and the function control is also very comprehensive, not only can the software parts in the control system, such as radio, navigation, etc., but also control the hardware facilities such as window lifting and sunroof opening. At the same time, the new GS8 also supports facial recognition functions, such as when the driver's gaze deviates from the front, the system voice assistant will immediately give prompts, which is very humane. However, the recognition rate of this function is not high, sometimes looking at the road ahead is reminded by the system to be inattentive, and sometimes even if the attention and line of sight are all on the multimedia screen, the system does not respond at all.
In terms of dynamics, the new GS8 hybrid version of GAC Trumpchi, which was test-driven this time, is equipped with Toyota's fourth-generation THS hybrid and is equipped with an electronic four-wheel drive system. When driving at low speeds, as long as the system has electricity, it can be driven by electric power, thus solving the drawbacks of poor power at low speed of the fuel engine. In the initial stage, the throttle is lightly pressed, and with the electric drive, the acceleration response is very agile. As the speed of the car climbed, the gasoline engine also began to intervene, although it was not amazing, but the whole speed-up process was full of confidence, and the overtaking acceleration was more than enough.
In terms of braking performance, the initial stage of the braking force release of the new GS8 is more abrupt, the braking force is insufficient, and it is not very good to grasp the strength when approaching the braking stop during the driving process, and it is easy to "nod" the phenomenon. In addition, the braking force and foot feel are still remarkable.
The steering sensation is in line with the expectations of the expert jury, and the steering force supports a variety of mode adjustments, which can be found in the multimedia system, which is worth affirming. In comfort mode, the steering wheel is lighter, even female drivers can easily operate, low-speed moving car will not feel heavy hands, while turning the steering wheel can also feel the delicate damping feeling, can create a high-level subjective feeling for the driver.
In terms of driving experience, the new GS8 suspension tuning is still biased towards comfort, coupled with thick and soft seats, which can give people a good impression. For the filtration of road bumps, the suspension is fully absorbed, coupled with the texture of the button, which gives it a very good driving sense. Of course, it is not only "soft", it is also unambiguous when it should have toughness and support, and the high-speed stability and the roll control of the corner are just right, which can give the driver confidence.
At the same time, the gasoline engine of this hybrid system is not from Toyota, but from GAC Trumpchi's own 2.0T engine. When driving in everyday life, its task is to act as a supporting role for the hybrid system and strive for a smooth power output. Its value is reflected in the rapid acceleration, not only the acceleration force is stronger, but the noise suppression is also better, and the car will not be too much nuisance.
The new GS8, which was tested, is equipped with a full-speed adaptive cruise function, which starts and brakes more naturally, giving the driver full confidence when following the car. Millimeter-wave radar can detect the movement of the vehicle in front of it in real time, and when the system recognizes that the vehicle in front of it is slowing down, it will quickly make a braking action. When driving through a corner, lane departure assistance automatically helps the driver correct the direction, thus completing the turn within the current lane line.
summary
Based on the above test results, it was concluded that GAC Trumpchi's new GS8 met the expectations of the expert jury in terms of objective data and subjective feelings. At the objective data level, the excellent body seams and the level of paint film highlight the high level of craftsmanship. At the level of subjective feelings, the blessing of Toyota's fourth-generation THS hybrid system and the advanced driving texture are easy to make people feel good, but in terms of details such as parking radar, multimedia system logic and the sensitivity of the initial stage of the braking system, it can be further optimized, after all, for a high-end car, the details are the winners and losers who decide success or failure. On the whole, the commercial performance of GAC Trumpchi's new GS8 is at the upstream level among the same class models tested.