With the popularity of new energy vehicles, it will be more acceptable for those potential consumers who are transitioning to choose a hybrid version of the model. And GAC Toyota Leling dual engine has grasped the pain points of consumers, in terms of economy, reliability, control, basically no competitors, which is also its hot sales killer feature.
However, in order to continue to seize the market segment of compact hybrid cars, GAC Trumpchi launched the Yingleopard hybrid version while the iron was hot, and the new car was equipped with GAC Trumpchi's second set of hybrid technology GMC 2.0 system. So how does it perform? Can it shake the king Lei Ling double engine? Let's compare them below.
Comparison of the basic information points of the two vehicles
What are the highlights of Trumpchi Julang Hybrid GMC 2.0 system?
I believe that everyone is no stranger to the Toyota THS II hybrid system equipped with the Leling dual engine, which creates the original PSD planetary gear "black technology" to realize intelligent hybrid driving at full speed and improve energy utilization in all aspects. The 1.8L Atkinson cycle engine has a thermal efficiency of up to 40%, which further improves energy saving performance and makes the fuel consumption of the Leling dual engine as low as 4.0L/100km.
So what are the highlights of GAC Trumpchi's Julang hybrid GMC 2.0 system? In fact, Trumpchi is currently the only Chinese brand in China with dual-route hybrid technology, and the GMC 2.0 series-parallel hybrid system and THS power shunt system jointly constitute GAC's Julang hybrid brand. The Toyota THS hybrid system mounted on the GS8 has had a lot of evaluation and interpretation in the year since its debut, so today we will focus on the GMC 2.0 system.
In fact, GAC started the research and development of hybrid models as early as 2009, and the Trumpchi GS4 PHEV launched in 2017 created a precedent for domestic dual-motor series-parallel DHT, and this system can be regarded as a GMC 1.0 system. The GMC 2.0 system launched this year adopts the latest technology, consisting of a 2.0ATK (Atkinson cycle) engine, an integrated dual-motor two-speed DHT, a power ternary lithium battery, and a full-speed and full-field intelligent energy management strategy.
This 2.0L Atkinson cycle engine is the fourth generation of high-efficiency naturally aspirated engine independently developed by GAC, which adopts GCCS combustion control system, intelligent thermal management, exhaust gas recirculation, noise reduction design and other technologies, and the highest thermal efficiency can reach 42.1%, which is higher than Toyota and Honda.
The integrated dual-motor DHT adopts a two-speed structure, and compared to systems such as the Honda i-MMD that use E-CVT, an additional gear allows the engine to work more efficiently and further improve fuel economy. The entire electromechanical coupling system of GMC 2.0 can achieve a thermal efficiency utilization rate ≥of 95.5% of the hybrid system under WLTC conditions.
The GMC 2.0 system can realize five modes: pure electric, series (range extender) mode, parallel, direct drive, and energy recovery, and through the full-speed domain and full-field intelligent energy management strategy, the system can intervene and optimize the working state of the system in advance according to real-time road conditions, vehicle status and other information, such as real-time adjustment of power planning according to the degree of congestion when the road is congested, so as to reduce the engine intervention in congested working conditions; It can also automatically recognize the following status, adjust the energy recovery intensity in real time, reduce the number of braking operations for the driver, and improve the driving experience and economy.
2.1 kWh ternary lithium battery adopts high-efficiency refrigerant direct cooling technology, air conditioning refrigerant directly into the battery to achieve direct cooling, in addition, it is also a power battery, when the power is more than 50%, it can last for 10 seconds to output a peak discharge power of 70kW, which can bring better acceleration performance than nickel-metal hydride batteries.
Who looks better?
In terms of appearance, the shadow leopard car does not need to be introduced too much, and the design of the fighter-style theme and the bright color matching are impressive. On the hybrid version, it has not changed too much, and still uses the entire design language, only some differences in local details. In addition, the hybrid version offers a new exclusive color - Super Star Silver.
The front face of the Leling dual engine still adopts the Toyota family design, the inverted trapezoidal grille area is large, and the interior is decorated with blackened honeycomb elements, which looks full of home. The main change in the sports series models is the front grille, the new car adopts a larger area and more visually striking polygonal grille, and the interior is still the familiar all-black honeycomb shape.
In terms of body size, the length, width and height of the shadow leopard hybrid are 4700/1850/1440mm, and the wheelbase is 2736mm, although it is positioned as a compact car, but this size and wheelbase, ten years ago, was already a B-class car. The length, width and height of the Leling dual engine are 4640/1780/1435mm, and the wheelbase is 2700mm.
In addition, the bottom of the shadow leopard hybrid adopts a diffuser design and a bilateral four-out exhaust, which looks full of performance, but because it is a hybrid body, this exhaust is not so passionate. In contrast, the exhaust layout of the Leling dual engine adopts a hidden design, which is relatively low-key.
In terms of appearance, the shadow leopard hybrid design is very radical and dynamic, and the overall design sense is very strong and very personal; The Lei Ling dual engine runs through Toyota's low-key style, and the front face adopts a variety of unconventional design lines, which will look more homely and attractive overall. Of course, whether it looks good or not varies from person to person, and what you like is the best.
Whose cockpit is smarter?
The shadow leopard hybrid cockpit also retains the entire design on the fuel version, but adds a blue and white color scheme exclusive to the hybrid version. The interior enhances the quality of technology while incorporating more sporty elements, making it still stand out in family cars. In the configuration part, dual LCD screens, sports instruments, Huawei Hi Car interconnection system, and support CarPlay and Carlife mobile phone interconnection and other mainstream functions.
Lei Ling dual engine still adopts a more classic "T" shaped layout, the layout is reasonable, there is no particularly outstanding place, everything is based on functionality, which is also the attitude that a family car should have. The Aggressive and Leading editions add Apple CarPlay and Huawei HiCar features, and the Deluxe, Sport, Technology and Premium editions add the color of the Skyrim body-in-white.
The interior design of the two cars has its own advantages, compared with the interior layout of Lei Ling's dual engine home first, the shadow leopard hybrid will be better in the creation of a sense of technology and other caring configurations.
Who has the richer configuration?
Whether you want to buy a coupe or a family scooter, the configuration will be a place for consumers to consider. Below, we have selected two models with little price difference for comparison.
It can be seen from the above table that the configuration of the shadow leopard hybrid in the two models with similar prices will be richer, and compared with the Leling dual engine, there are more active noise reduction systems, automatic downturn in rearview mirror reversing, delayed turn-off of headlights, trunk induction on and other functions.
Who has more space?
Although in terms of body size, the Shadow Leopard Hybrid will have a more advantage than the Lei Ling dual engine. However, the two cars are positioned in a compact class, so the actual seating space should not be too different. However, the size of the seating space is only one aspect that affects the riding experience, and objective factors such as reasonable layout, seat material/wrapping, etc. will also affect the riding experience.
It can be seen that in terms of seat comfort configuration of the two roof versions, the Leling dual engine will be more dominant. In terms of actual seating space, the following effects are for reference only due to factors such as the height and weight of the experiencers.
Comparison of power/ride performance of the two vehicles
In terms of power, the Yingleopard Hybrid is equipped with GAC's self-developed GMC2.0 hybrid system, including GAC's fourth-generation 2.0ATK engine and GMC2.0 electromechanical coupling system, and the WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption is 4.33L/100km.
The Ralink dual engine is equipped with Toyota's latest THS Toyota hybrid system, which consists of a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated engine, an energy control unit ECU, a new nickel-metal hydride battery pack, and a pair of newly designed parallel shaft motors. Paired with this is the E-CVT gearbox. NEDC fuel consumption is 4.0L/100km.
Shadow Leopard hybrid version driving performance:
In fact, we have already experienced this GMC 2.0 system as early as April this year, when it was mounted on the shadow leopard, and the whole car was still in the PT1 trial car, but its power performance, smoothness and quietness were all very impressed to me. The Shadow Leopard Hybrid we test-drove this time is a PT2 stage test installation car, which is very close to mass production.
Like other HEV models, it adopts a pure electric drive when starting with a light step on the accelerator, avoiding the low-speed conditions where the engine is most fuel-consuming. If you start with a big foot throttle, the system will recognize your power needs, and the engine will work together with the drive motor to give you a more powerful power feeling.
The 2.0ATK engine equipped on the Shadow Leopard Hybrid has a maximum power of 105 kW, 180 Nm, and the drive motor power is 134 kW and 300 Nm, which is very close to the Honda Civic e:HEV, but the total power of the system, the Civic e:HEV is 149kW, and the Shadow Leopard Hybrid reaches 175kW. How is it done? The main reason is that the power battery used in the GMC2.0 system has a larger capacity of 2.1kWh, and the maximum discharge power reaches 70kW, which has a stronger acceleration explosive power.
In fact, it is indeed obvious that the power of this GMC2.0 system is quite good, even in energy-saving mode, relying on pure electric drive, acceleration is still very light. In the sport mode, it is even more rapid, the engine and motor are driven in parallel at the same time, the push back feeling is quite sufficient, and the power level of the whole system is equivalent to the 2.0T engine.
According to official information, the acceleration time of the Shadow Leopard Hybrid from 0 to 60km/h is only 3.4 seconds, which is faster than other models in the same class. As for the actual acceleration results and zero hundred acceleration time, we need to use professional equipment for testing in the future.
In addition to being very pleasant to drive, the quietness of this system is also very good, due to the double hydraulic suspension of the engine, the start-stop action is extremely slight, and it is difficult to detect without looking at the tachometer. And even at high revs it is quite quiet and smooth, you can hear the sound of the engine running at high speed, but it is not noisy.
The smoothness of this system is also worth mentioning. The hybrid systems of Toyota, Honda and BYD are all "gearless" and belong to E-CVT or single-speed structure, while the dual-motor parallel shaft series-parallel system pioneered by GMC2.0 adopts a two-speed DHT structure.
Why not use three gears like Geely or Chery's hybrid system? This is the best solution after weighing many factors, and the two-speed structure allows the engine to operate efficiently over a wider range and avoid the increase in volume, weight, and frustration caused by too many gears.
In actual driving, you can indeed feel that whether it is continuous acceleration or stop-and-go, this transmission mechanism will not bring any frustration, and it is indeed smoother than some three-speed DHTs of other brands.
In terms of chassis, the shadow leopard adopts the front MacPherson rear multi-link four-wheel independent suspension, compared to other models of the same price model torsion beam non-independent rear overhang, the shadow leopard is indeed more willing to pay in this regard. As a car that emphasizes sports fun, the multi-link rear suspension does have a higher sports limit than the non-single suspension, and the tire will have better adhesion to cope with different road conditions.
In addition, due to the lower arrangement of the power system and power battery, the center of gravity of the vehicle is 12mm lower than that of the fuel version, so the stability will also be improved when cornering. In terms of shock filtering, the shadow leopard also has a relatively good performance, after bumpy roads, the shock absorbing reed barrel can fully absorb the impact, the rebound is relatively crisp, and the overall chassis texture is worthy of recognition.
Lei Ling dual engine driving performance:
The start of the Leling dual engine is mainly driven by the intervention of the motor, and the response speed of the motor is not only very fast, but also very quiet. If the oil is started slowly, the power system will keep the motor in one direction until the speed exceeds 30km/h or the power is insufficient, and the engine will not intervene significantly.
The new balance shaft twin motor and engine are commendable. Whether it accelerates slowly or sharply, the entire powertrain gives a satisfactory power response, neither procrastinate nor abrupt, and feels just right.
The Link's dual engine still offers three driving mode options, namely ECO, NORMAL and SPORT. When switching, just press the small button with square area of the handlebar, and the specific mode can be displayed on the instrument screen.
The steering feeling is still a tough setting, there is no sense of anti-habit when the child is fluttering, the sports texture is indeed more obvious, and it is more stable when driving at high speeds.
The new rear independent suspension equipped with the Leling dual engine significantly optimizes the riding feeling in the rear of the vehicle, even in the case of bumpy roads, the damping setting of the shock absorber cylinder can also dissolve the jumping, try to make the rear wheels grasp the ground well, and do not throw the rear passengers to the roof.
Full text summary
When Trumpchi Shadow Leopard was launched, with its hardcore styling design and good power, just like the Civic and Focus of the year, they used the price of traditional family cars to give more sporty performance and handling, so that more young people who are not rich in funds can enjoy the driving pleasure they want, and the launch of the Shadow Leopard hybrid version, in addition to conforming to the development of the new energy market, has further enriched the choices of consumers.
Of course, Leling dual engine is not a fuel-saving lamp, it has always had a high reputation and good sales in this segment of the domestic market, and importantly, Toyota also has a high retention rate in the used car market. If you have a distinct personality and want to have more driving pleasure, the Shadow Leopard Hybrid is worth recommending; If you just want to choose a more reliable and fuel-efficient family car, the Leling dual engine will be a good choice. As for how to choose two cars, I believe everyone has their own answer!