E-Car Original entered April, the overseas new car market is still hot, but there are not many Volkswagen-level family cars, mainly high-end luxury cars and niche personalized cars. This article will take you to see a number of sports models, including the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Toyota GR Corolla, Toyota's first pure electric SUV bZ4X, Peugeot 508 PSE and Porsche 911 2023 Limited Edition and other models, to see what kind of performance characteristics they have, and whether there are new cars worth looking forward to.
Volkswagen Polo GTI 2022: A small German steel gun that is faster than the Golf GTI
Speaking of GTI, the first thing that comes to mind may be golf, as for polo GTI, many people may not have heard of it, and the name is definitely not as loud as carnival ST, and it is short-lived in China. But it is undeniable that this is also a highly playable small steel cannon model, that is, too niche, senior fans will like, others may envy but really buy the price of fourteen or fifty thousand yuan can dissuade a large wave of people.
In terms of appearance, the 2022 Polo GTI basically continues the sixth generation polo design, the upper and lower grille inside is a honeycomb design, supplemented by a penetrating LED light strip, red trim and red GTI logo embellishment on the right side of the middle net, highlighting the identity of its performance car, with the black lower grille border trim, while enhancing the sporty atmosphere but also further improving the recognition of the vehicle. The new car also comes standard with the new IQ. Light LED matrix headlights, LED tail lights also for the first time introduced a flow of dynamic display directional lights.
The interior is also faithful to the design concept of the Volkswagen GTI model, and the roof and lining are heavily decorated with titanium black material, supplemented by red stitching and trim embellishments. The sports seats feature a classic 'Jacara' check pattern and are available with ArtVelours sports comfort seats.
Like the rest of the Polo series, gti's gauges and center control screen are located on a visual plane for easy observation, the 10.25-inch LCD gauge displays a wealth of information, the gauge panel uses a very eye-catching Kings Red Glossy standard color scheme, and users can also choose a softer dark iron gloss tone.
Of course, the core of every GTI is its engine, and so is the new Polo GTI. The new car is equipped with a 2.0T four-cylinder turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 207 PS and a maximum torque of 320 N·m, which can exert maximum torque in the 1500-4500 rpm speed range. The matching 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is responsive, allowing the new Volkswagen Polo GTI to accelerate in 100 kilometers in just 6.5 seconds, faster than the Golf GTI, with a top speed of 240 km/h.
Of course, handling is also a point of emphasis in GTI models, the new Volkswagen Polo GTI combines a dynamic chassis with a precision system, and upgraded mechanics include a larger front anti-roll bar, a more rigid front coupling bar and a stiffer shaft positioning mount at the rear. In addition, the GTI's body is reduced by 15 mm compared to other Polo models, which improves handling stability and extreme capability.
Finally, the new Polo GTI also comes standard with an XDS electronic differential lock that improves steering accuracy by controlling the braking force of the front wheels on the inside of the corners if necessary, thus preventing it from understeering and, in extreme cases, helping to prevent the vehicle from getting out of control.
Toyota bZ4X 2023: The first model in the Toyota bZ series
Recently, Toyota's new bZ4X made its global debut, which is also the first model in Toyota's Beyond Zero electric vehicle (BEV) series. The new car is based on the design and technology of its concept car unveiled earlier this year, jointly developed by Subaru and Toyota, and built on the exclusive e-TNGA pure electric platform.
In the appearance part, Toyota bZ4X adopts a relatively avant-garde design language, "Hi-Tech and Emotion" design theme under it has an atypical Toyota family characteristics, the body is more folded, the front surrounds the two sides of the narrow air intake can optimize aerodynamics, improve the dynamic performance of the vehicle. However, the design of the new car is obviously different from the Toyota model on sale, for example, the spindle-shaped mid-grid grid has been closed, and the identity of pure electric vehicles can be seen at a glance.
In terms of size, the bZ4X Japanese specification four-wheel drive version of the length, width and height are 4690mm * 1860mm * 1650mm, wheelbase 2850mm, the overall size is slightly larger than the RAV4 Rongfang, with a cross-level rear space performance close to the medium and large SUV.
In the interior part, the bZ4X adopts the "Activity Hub" design concept, the style is also very sci-fi, and the instrument panel adopts a wrap-around design to create an immersive cockpit feeling. But the original intention of this design concept is to provide a comfortable mobile space, so you can find a lot of details in the car that are more in line with the comfort of the occupants, such as the center console or retain some of the physical buttons, technology and practical design are perfectly combined.
In terms of performance, the single-motor front-drive version of the bZ4X drives a motor with a power of 150 kW and a torque of 265 N·m, which can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 160 km/h. The dual-motor 4WD version of the electric motor has a maximum power of 162 kW, a torque of 336 N·m, and an acceleration of only 7.7 seconds from 100 km/h.
The power battery part, after domestic production, will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack jointly developed with THE CALT Ningde era, and will be produced in Toyota's exclusive production line, with a battery capacity of 71.4kWh, a WLTC working condition of about 450km, an AC slow charge maximum power of 6.6kW, a DC fast charge maximum power of 150 kW, a 30-minute charge of 80%, and it is expected that an 11kW charger will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2022. The battery is said to ensure that it will retain more than 90% of its capacity after 10 years (or 240,000 kilometers).
Of course, another inherent advantage of the model as an e-TNGA platform is structural optimization, for example, the overall height of the bZ4X is 85mm lower than that of the RAV4, the overhang is shorter, the wheelbase is 160mm longer, the height of the engine cover line is also reduced by 50 mm, the turning radius is only 5.7 meters, and the vehicle is absolutely ahead of the curve.
It is worth mentioning that the bZ4X is also Toyota's first production model to provide a steer-by-wire steering system, one Motion Grip, the traditional steering wheel is replaced by a single movement grip control, steering is smoother, easier, and saves legroom in the front row, while drivers will still get the road sense feedback they want, and the system will be launched later in Europe.
Toyota GR Corolla: The fourth model of the Toyota High Performance Sports brand
You should have heard a network passage: "The three mothers of the road: Lei Ling Xuan Yi Corolla", which means that these three types of cars usually run slower on the road. But in fact, the Corolla also has a model that can run the track, that is, the GR Corolla. Officially released on April 1 this year, the new car is also the fourth model of Toyota's high-performance sports brand GAZOO Racing after the GR SUPRA, GR YARiS and GR 86.
The new car will be available in two versions, core and Circuit Edition, with core edition expected to hit the U.S. market by the end of 2022 and Circuit Edition in 2023.
In terms of appearance, the new car is based on the Corolla hatchback version upgrade, and the front face has greatly increased its combat power value after undergoing the "surgery" of the GR department. The large mid-mesh is not only fierce, but also provides sufficient heat dissipation for the engine. The air intakes on both sides create a wide body effect, and with the spoiler of the front lip, it gives the impression of a "bad" fierce character.
Looking from the side, the body is a bit like the Civic Type-R, with 18-inch rims that match the Michelin PS4 series tires and are sized at 235/40 ZR18. Shark's gilt vents are available at the fenders to dissipate heat from the brakes, and the "GR-Four" logo has been added to the side skirt to advertise its four-wheel drive system.
More creative is the new car tail with a three-vent layout, with a diffuser design, the visual effect is quite stunning. The premiere model will also feature a larger spoiler and carbon-fibre roof to further enhance the sporty image.
In terms of interior, the new car is in line with the Corolla (overseas model) as a whole, and the sense of sportiness in the car is enhanced by the pure black color scheme, barrel seats, and GR steering wheel. The seats are made of leather + Alcantara + weaving panels and are equipped with heating for the front seats. In addition, a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument is also equipped, which has a GR instrument with 4WD mode, turbo pressure, gear indicator and tachometer, and a comprehensive display of various power information. Adaptive cruise and lane keeping are also available for daily commuting.
The power part, the new car is based on the improved TNGA GA-C platform, equipped with a 1.6-liter in-line three-cylinder turbo engine code-named G16E-GTS, with a maximum power of 300Ps horsepower and a maximum torque of 370N·m. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and the car also has a deflection automatic refueling function. In addition, GR Corolla is also equipped with GR-FOUR four-wheel drive system, combined with the power output of Normar, Track and Sport mode, can achieve 60/40, 50/50, 30/70 front and rear power output distribution ratio, so that the driver can more easily control the driving state of the vehicle.
Although Toyota has not announced the 0-100 km / h acceleration time of the GR Corolla, but from the gr Yaris equipped with the same engine, and the same four-wheel drive system, the maximum power of 272Ps, the maximum torque of 360 N· m, the curb weight of 1280 kg, and the ability to accelerate 5.5 seconds per 100 km/h, even if the GR Corolla has an overall quality of 1474 kg, the acceleration performance should be about 6 seconds, the level of a small steel gun.
Finally, to achieve the performance goals of gr corolla, Toyota has built a dedicated GR production line at its plant in Motocho, Japan, which is the birthplace of legendary models such as the Lexus LFA and Supra A80, and is now also home to the first GR production line, where GR Corolla and GR Yaris will be manufactured.
Peugeot 508 PSE: The Most Powerful "Lion King" mass-produced by Peugeot
In the eyes of many fans, French cars represent romance, but many of the designs on the car do not meet the tastes of our public, such as Peugeot, the little lion, in China's road is more bumpy, but it is undeniable that its model technology and reputation are good, in the world arena it is a fierce lion.
Recently, the little lion also brought the most powerful production car ever, the new Peugeot 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered (508 PSE), which was built by Peugeot Sports, equipped with a plug-in hybrid system, and offered two body styles, including a hatchback coupe and a station wagon. At the same time, Peugeot announced that it will return to the World Endurance Championship at Le Mans from 2022.
In the exterior part, the Peugeot 508 PSE plug-in hybrid version has its own body kit, the front face black grille with black 508 logo, and the small fangs of the day running light decoration; the side black samurai wheel is replaced with multi-piston fluorescent green calipers, the brake disc size is larger, and it is also equipped with a 20-inch rim, which greatly improves the sense of sport. The new car is available in three exterior colors (selenium gray, Nera black and pearl white).
In the interior part, the Peugeot 508 PSE plug-in hybrid version basically maintains the classic design of the current 508, the concept of layering the center console is very advanced, a large number of geometric lines are very direct, and even the multi-function steering wheel is also very technological. The hovering navigation screen is biased towards the driver's side, the front of the central armrest box has been added wood grain decoration, the front row has been changed to one-piece racing seats, and wrapped in flipped fur material, the texture is not inferior to the BBA peers.
At the same time, the technology is rich, including a 10-inch central control display, i-cockpit, head-up display, advanced audio system and heated seat with massage function, as well as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, night vision system and other functions.
In the power part, the Peugeot 508 PSE plug-in hybrid version is equipped with a power system composed of a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and two electric motors, with a total output of 265 kW and an output torque of 520 N·m. The drivetrain is matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system, and the official said that its 0-100km/h acceleration time is only 5.2 seconds, and the top speed is 250km/h, which is the most powerful mass production car in Peugeot's history, and the pure electric endurance is 42 kilometers under WLTP conditions.
In addition, the driving experience has always been at the heart of Peugeot's DNA, and the Peugeot Sports division has also optimized the chassis section of the 508 PSE, such as the variable three-mode shock absorption (comfort/hybrid/sport), reduced center of gravity, wider front and rear tracks, 380mm diameter front brake discs and fixed four-piston calipers, and 20-inch alloy rims with Michelin? Pilot Sport 4S tires and specially tuned steering settings make the new car's sporty performance and agility even more outstanding.
Unfortunately, the price of the Peugeot 508 PSE PHEV is really difficult to accept, the hatchback model starts at 66,640 euros (equivalent to 525,000 yuan) (including tax), the price of the station wagon is 67,940 euros (about 536,000 yuan), this price can buy bmw 5 series, but it is only Peugeot after all, the Chinese people buy a car not only value the appearance of power, brand face is also extremely important.
Porsche 911 Sport Classic 2023: The most powerful manual 911 available today
Accustomed to seeing the home-level sports model is not a little tired, then give you a town building car - Porsche 911 Sport Classic 2023 model, I believe that even people who are not familiar with sports cars should have heard of the porsche 911 name, it is indeed a classic sports car. The new 911 Sport Classic is the second of four pieces from Porsche's collection based on its traditional design strategy (the first is the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Edition), limited to 1,250 units worldwide.
In terms of appearance, the new car will recreate the style of the 1960s and early 1970s, and like its predecessor, the 997th generation 911 Sport Classic, introduced in 2009, retains the wide-body design of the 911Turbo, the most obvious change in appearance is the use of a retro ducktail spoiler, paying homage to the famous 911 Carrera RS 2.7 of the early 1970s.
Other unique design elements of this limited edition model include lip spoilers, black LED matrix headlights, gold badges and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) hoods that the 911 Turbo model doesn't have.
The body color is painted in exclusive sports gray metallic paint similar to that of the old model, with two light gray stripes on the top, which is a feature of sport Classic, but will also be available in pure black, agate metallic gray and gentian metallic blue exterior colors. In addition, there are the words "Porsche" on both sides of the body and the digital decals in the style of racing. The good news is that in addition to being able to specify numbers between 1 and 99, the numbers are appliquéd rather than painted, which means you can tear them off at any time.
The interior section was also targeted with upgrades, with the iconic Pepita Chiidori patterned seats, in contrast to the light-coloured classic Cognac leather, which was also used to decorate the lower part of the instrument panel and door panels. Other features that set things apart include a five-barreled instrument cluster with white hands, a Sport Chrono clock in green lettering, and a Porsche logo-embossed headrest.
The power side will feature a custom engine, with the 3.7-litre twin-turbo horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine delivering its 405 kW (550 Ps hp) of power to the road via the rear wheels alone. In terms of transmission, a seven-speed manual transmission is used, which has an automatic anti-bump function, which can compensate for the engine speed drop between gears with a short speed burst when downshifting.
Although Porsche has not yet released performance data for the new car, considering its power configuration, it is certain that although the body weight is lighter, its zero hundred acceleration performance will lag behind the 911 Turbo (100 km/h acceleration time is about 2.7 seconds). Essentially, the 911 Sport Classic is somewhere between the GTS and Turbo models in terms of performance, but that still doesn't stop it from being the most powerful manual Porsche 911 available today.
Other performance features include an adjusted version of Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), ceramic compound brakes, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), rear axle steering, Sport Chrono components and a specially improved sport exhaust system (which sounds louder), with a 10mm lower suspension over the 911 Turbo and lower theoretical limits for a lower center of gravity.
Finally, the new 911 Sport Classic will be available in July, starting at €272714 (about RMB 1.9 million), ready to order now, with deliveries available at Porsche Centre Europe from July 2022 and launches in other markets. But as we all know, this is a collection-level work, I don't know how many units can be allocated in China, presumably it will be snapped up just after it was launched! Just take a look.
Editor's comments: Among the five models in this article, in addition to the Toyota bZ4X, which is determined to be domestically produced within the year, several other models may be difficult to see in China, and everyone will look fresh. As for Toyota bZ4X, the current overseas version of the price is equivalent to about 350,000-440,000 yuan, not cheap, if the price can be reduced to less than 300,000 yuan after domestic production, it is still very worth looking forward to, because there is a Toyota endorsement quality guarantee, as well as advanced technologies such as wire control steering, compared with the current market peers have their own unique advantages.
From the perspective of the popularity of new energy models of the E-car App, the popularity of GAC Toyota bZ4X ranks 37th, which is higher than the popularity of weilai ES6, which shows that the market pays attention to many users, if you want more information, please check the e-car APP.