Since its launch in July last year, Geely Xingyue L has quickly become a benchmark product for domestic compact SUVs with its atmospheric design, spacious space, cross-level size, and ultra-high cost performance of less than 140,000, with sales exceeding 50,000 units in less than half a year. However, the 2.0T engine that is standard in the entire Series of Star-Etsu L is obviously a bit of a luxury for those who pay attention to the cost of use.
So on March 30, Geely launched the Star-Vietnam L hybrid version equipped with the Thor hybrid system, and the new car launched a total of 2 models, priced at 17.17 and 183,700 yuan respectively. So how does the hybrid version of the Hoshikoshi L perform in terms of configuration? Is the difference between the 2.0T fuel version worth it? First give the conclusion, the value is exploding! Let's take a closer look at this popular family car!
The Xingyue L hybrid version basically follows the overall style of the fuel version in the shape design, but the central network has been replaced by a semi-closed design with the same color as the body, and there are also glowing decorative lights inside the middle network, the car logo can also be lit, and the front face looks more like a new energy vehicle. The rear of the car has changed relatively little, but the physical exhaust pipe has been eliminated.
The Hoshigoku L Hybrid Edition comes standard with 19-inch low-drag modeling wheels and a 235/50 R19 specification Goodyear silent energy-efficient tire. Compared to the 20-inch rims of the fuel-efficient model and the Goodyear Eagle F1 sport tires, the hybrid version is obviously more focused on the energy consumption performance of the vehicle.
Top: Default blue and white interior / Bottom: Optional suede interior
In terms of interior, the Star-Etsu L Hybrid Edition continues the style of the previous fuel version, and the three 12.3-inch screens are very eye-catching. In terms of interior color and material, the Star-Etsu L Hybrid Edition defaults to a blue-and-white interior, and the center console, seats, and door panels are all covered in leather. In addition, the vehicle can also spend 3,000 yuan to choose a dark gray suede interior, and the seats, door panels, center console, roof and other areas are covered with frosted suede.
The power system is actually the most core change of the hybrid version, the Hoshigoku L hybrid version is equipped with a set of Geely's self-developed Thor hybrid system, which mainly includes a 1.5T three-cylinder high-thermal efficiency engine codenamed DHE15, a generator, a drive motor, and a 3-speed DHT Pro transmission.
Among them, the 1.5T gasoline engine adopts Miller cycle, thermal efficiency is as high as 43.32%, maximum power is 150 horsepower, and maximum torque is 225N·m. The drive motor has a power parameter of 136 horsepower and 320N·m, coupled with the assistance of a 3AT gearbox, the whole system has a total maximum power of 245 horsepower and a maximum torque of 545N·m.
In terms of hybrid technology and logic, Geely's hybrid system is more like the enhanced version of the Honda i-MMD that we are familiar with, Geely has added a 3AT gearbox to the drive shaft, whether it is pure electricity, extended range, or parallel mode, the power output can be adjusted by the 3AT gearbox to ensure that the vehicle can take into account acceleration performance and fuel consumption at any speed. In terms of specific working logic, when the pure electric drive, the engine is turned off, and the battery pack directly supplies power to the drive motor (P2), at which time the 3AT gearbox can also assist in adjusting the load of the drive motor; when accelerating, the engine starts and drives the generator (P1) to generate electricity, transmits the electrical energy to the battery, and then drives the drive motor (P2) to accelerate, at this time the 3AT gearbox is still responsible for adjusting the output of the motor; at a uniform speed cruise, the engine can drive the wheels directly with the 3AT gearbox through a set of clutches. At the same time, it can also drive the generator (P1) to generate electricity, so that the drive motor (P2) drives the vehicle together with the engine, realizing the parallel mode. Interestingly, the Thor hybrid system does not switch the driving form at a fixed speed like the Honda i-MMD, but will automatically adjust the working mode of the hybrid system by learning the driver's driving habits.
According to our previous test drive experience, the hybrid system of The Star-Etsu L is very good at the smoothness of daily driving, the 3AT gearbox is completely unaware of the switching gear, and in the pure electric mode and hybrid mode switching, when the engine intervenes, there will be no obvious noise and vibration like the previous Toyota and Honda hybrids. In terms of fuel consumption performance, the vehicle's WLTC working condition fuel consumption is 4.79L/100km, and in the previous test drive process, the average speed of 40km/h comprehensive road condition table fuel consumption is as low as 4.1L/100km, which can be said to be very fuel-efficient.
As for performance, the 0-100km/h acceleration of the Hoshigoshi L Hybrid Edition is 7.9 seconds, which is basically the same as the 2.0T fuel version. And thanks to the existence of the 3AT gearbox, the high-speed performance of the vehicle is better than many hybrids, and the maximum speed can reach 190km/h. It should be known that the hybrid CR-V without a multi-gear transmission has a maximum speed of only 160km/h, and the RAV4 dual engine of the 2.5L hybrid system is only 180km/h. Although such a high speed has no practical significance, the existence of the 3AT gearbox is more helpful for the vehicle's high-speed re-acceleration capability and high-speed cruising fuel consumption.
After a brief review of the design and technical features of the Hoshigoe L Hybrid Edition, let's take a look at how the Hybrid Edition performs in terms of configuration and why it is more worth buying than the Fuel Edition!
The first is the hybrid low-end [Super Xun] version, priced at 171,700 yuan. Although it is a low configuration, after all, the price has reached 170,000, so there is no need to worry about the configuration. For example, in terms of scientific and technological configuration, the vehicle is equipped with three 12.3-inch large screens, L2 level driver assistance system, panoramic image, transparent chassis, reversing radar, Vehicle Networking, OTA upgrade, voice control and so on.
In terms of comfort configuration, the vehicle is equipped with electric adjustment of front seats, main driver seat memory, front seat heating, main driver seat ventilation, rear backrest angle adjustment, front soundproof glass, leather steering wheel, leather seat, etc., and the comfort of daily use can be fully guaranteed.
In terms of convenience configuration, the vehicle is equipped with mobile phone wireless charging, matrix LED headlights, dual temperature zone automatic air conditioning, automatic wipers, interior mood lights, electric memory tailgate, induction opening tailgate, Bluetooth key, etc., I believe that even if you have high requirements for the configuration of the vehicle, you will not complain about the standard equipment of The Star More L. In addition, if you like to listen to music, you can also add 3000 yuan optional 10-speaker BOSE sound, and comes with an ANC active noise reduction system.
If compared with the 2.0T version of the model, the hybrid low-end model priced at 171,700 is very close to the 2.0T two-wheel drive premium configuration priced at 155,200, and the difference between the two is 16,000 yuan, and the main difference is in the power system.
As for the high-end [Super Rui] version, the price is 183,700 yuan, which is 12,000 yuan more expensive than the low-matching. In terms of configuration, it has added parallel assist, reversing side warning, HUD head-up display, active noise reduction, BOSE audio, passenger seat ventilation, rear privacy glass, rear independent air conditioning and other configurations. Compared with the difference of 12,000, these configuration increases are reasonable, but considering that the guidance price of the vehicle has exceeded 180,000 at this time, we only recommend it to those users who have a good budget and pay attention to detail.
If you compare the hybrid high-end model with the 2.0T fuel version, its configuration level is basically equivalent to the 2.0T two-wheel drive flagship model priced at 165,200, and the difference between the two is 18,000, and the main difference is the power system. In simple terms, the hybrid version of the Star Etsu L is about 16,000 yuan more expensive than the 2.0T front-drive version with a similar configuration. In addition to the more advanced and smooth driving experience of the hybrid system mentioned earlier, in fact, the gap with the fuel version in terms of the cost of use is the absolute advantage of the hybrid system!
The reason why many people are entangled between hybrid vehicles and fuel vehicles is mainly in the calculation of the money spent when buying a car, whether it can be saved in the later stage. Here we choose the 155,200 yuan Star-More L 2.0T two-wheel drive premium model as a reference, this version is the highest selling version of the Star-More L car series, and it is also the version with the longest measured mileage of the official owner of the Bear fuel consumption, which is very representative. It is equipped with a 2.0T low-power engine with a maximum power of 218 horsepower and a maximum torque of 325 N·m, matched with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive, and accelerates from 0-100 km/h for 7.9 seconds. But it should be noted that this 2.0T engine from the Volvo Drive-E series needs to be added with 95 gasoline.
The hybrid version of the model, we choose the Super Xun version with a price of 171,700 yuan similar to its configuration, equipped with a 1.5T hybrid system, the comprehensive maximum power of 245 horsepower, 27 horsepower more than the 2.0T low-power engine, but because the hybrid version weighs 110kg, plus itself is biased towards low fuel consumption orientation, so the 0-100km/h acceleration is also 7.9 seconds. But it should be noted that the hybrid version of the 1.5T engine only needs to add 92 gasoline.
In terms of fuel consumption values, the 2.0T model we take the bear fuel consumption data as a reference, and the measured average fuel consumption given by the owner is 9.3L/100km. The hybrid version of the model has just been listed, and there is no large-scale data statistics. However, considering the 4.1L/100km fuel consumption performance we opened at the previous hybrid Star-Vietnam L test drive, and the official WLTC working condition of 4.79L/100km fuel consumption data, we are temporarily comparing the hybrid version of 5L/100km as an estimated fuel consumption.
After calculation, the difference in the cost of use between the two is surprising! We assume that we travel 20,000 kilometers per year, according to the official oil price in Beijing on March 31 as a calculation basis, the annual fuel cost of the 1.5T hybrid version is 8650 yuan, while the 2.0T version reaches 17130 yuan, which is almost double the cost of use of the hybrid version! And as we mentioned earlier, the price of the hybrid version of the model is 16,000 yuan more expensive than the same configuration of 2.0T models, and at the current oil price, it only takes 40,000 kilometers to earn back the difference! And the longer it is used, the more obvious the cost advantage of the hybrid vehicle will be.
Therefore, if you are ready to buy the Hoshikoshi L, we recommend that you no longer have to think about the 2.0T front-drive model, but instead buy the 1.5T hybrid version. Unless your budget is particularly tight and you can only get stuck around 150,000, spending more than 10,000 to buy hybrids is definitely a great value for money option. Because this 10,000-plus price difference can not only be returned in about two years, but also you can enjoy the excellent smoothness and power response of the hybrid system at all times in the entire car cycle, and in the face of the rise and fall of gasoline prices, you can also do no waves in your heart, this calm and comfortable car experience is the real killer of hybrid vehicles.
With the launch of the hybrid version of the model, Xingyue L has completed the main puzzle of the entire car series, and the price range of the entire car series also covers 137,200-18.52 million yuan. Next, we may expect a PHEV version based on a 1.5T hybrid system, increased battery capacity, and increased external charging. After all, for users who have the conditions to install charging piles, short-distance electricity consumption further saves expenses, and long-distance oil avoids mileage anxiety, which is the most ideal way to use the car at present. Of course, the suspense left at present is that Geely's Thor hybrid system is a new technology that has just been released for less than 1 year, and the durability and reliability of long-term use are also worth paying attention to, and this will be left to time to verify.