Creating "the first sports coupe for young people", this is the goal and label that Yi Xuan gave himself. In the past, this sports sedan segment was dominated by the Honda Civic. Nowadays, independent brands have poured into this market segment, and the Honda Civic is the primary challenge to enter the market, and there are many strong players, and the Dongfeng Feng Shen Yi Xuan Mach Edition is the latest attacker.
Recently, the editor also went to experience a Dongfeng Feng Shen Yi Xuan Mach version. This car has been officially launched on October 29, with a total of 5 models launched and a price range of 64,900-93,900 yuan. The test drive is a 1.5T version of the model and the test drive location is the Nanao Island Ring Road in Shantou, Guangdong. This section of the road is characterized by multiple curves, which test the support of the vehicle when cornering.
As a new model, the Yixuan Mach version follows the positioning of the current model as compact, with a length, width and height of 4670/1812/1490mm and a wheelbase of 2680mm. In terms of appearance, the Yixuan Mach version adopts a "fighter-style front face" design, and the "track flag digital grille" extends from the middle to both sides of the LED headlights, which is highly recognizable. The side and rear sleek shape, 17-inch dark whirlwind sports wheels, colorful calipers and two-tone bodywork, rear through-through taillights, original rear wing, bilateral four-out exhaust and other detailed designs further highlight its sporty attributes.
Entering the car, you will be greeted by the black and yellow stitching design, and the huge color contrast has created a strong visual impact. Secondly, the size of the central control screen has been upgraded from the current 10.25 inches to 13 inches, with matching the 7-inch LCD instrument cluster, multi-function steering wheel, suede material materials, etc., to enhance the texture of the car. The main and co-pilot both support a number of electric adjustments, and the integrated sports seats have a good sense of support and wrapping. At the same time, the Yixuan Mach version has added more intelligent configurations, so that the sense of technology of the whole vehicle has been improved to a certain extent. The Yixuan Mach version is equipped with a new generation of WindLink X2.0 intelligent vehicle system, built-in AI voice assistant, which can achieve a variety of functions through voice control, and also supports Baidu online intelligent navigation, remote control, Bluetooth key and other functional functions.
The power upgrade is the biggest selling point of the Yixuan Mach version. The Mach version is equipped with Dongfeng Mach power as standard, and provides two power systems: Mach power 1.5T turbocharged version and Mach power 1.5L self-priming version. Among them, the 1.5T version has a maximum power of 145kW and a maximum torque of 300Nm, and is equipped with a Getrag 6DCT gearbox; The 1.5-liter version has a maximum power of 92 kW and a maximum torque of 158 Nm, and is available in both MT and 6DCT transmissions. Only from the book data, the Yixuan Mach version performs well, and the power data is slightly better than the MG 5 and Geely Binrui COOL at the same price, and can even be compared with individual joint venture brand models. But as a sporty car, driving on the road is the time to see the truth.
From tapping the throttle at rest to accelerating at full strength, the throttle response is more positive. When the engine is at 1200 rpm, the turbine begins to intervene, and the torque response is fast at low speeds of 30km-60km/h, the starting acceleration is very smooth, the power is still relatively heel, and you can also feel a certain push back feeling.
In terms of steering system, the Yixuan Mach version has precise steering, and with its shorter body, the rear of the car has better followability. On the Nanao Island ring road, which has played a lot, there is no chain drop. In the driving, you can clearly feel that the Yixuan Mach version is hard tuning, and the editor has previously test-driven its similar competitor MG 5 Scorpio, and the tuning is relatively soft.
The intentions and benefits of the Mach version are also obvious. When cornering, the Mach version of the Yixuan has a smoother overall steering and a clearer road feel during driving. This tuning method is derived from its CTCC track genes, and the front shock absorber tower roof is designed with a native anti-roll bar structure, which can ensure that the chassis has better dynamic response and support; BENTELER cold-formed closed variable-section rear axle pipe girder, reducing the weight of the chassis while also improving the structural strength. It is worth mentioning that in terms of NVH, the Yixuan Mach version controls wind noise and road noise stoves well, especially when driving on straight roads or at low speeds, the quietness performance exceeds expectations.
In addition, the Mach version of the Yixuan version of the assisted driving function is also worth trying. Although the highest price is less than 100,000 yuan, it is still equipped with auxiliary driving functions such as cruise control, BSD intelligent blind spot monitoring system, DOW intelligent door opening warning system, RCTA rear vehicle crossing intelligent warning system, 540° high-definition panoramic image intelligent driving assistance system, etc., which can be said to be full of sincerity.
Overall, whether it is cost-effective or product strength, the market competitiveness of Yixuan's new Mach version should not be underestimated. From the perspective of its positioning, the Yixuan Mach version will compete head-on with MG 5, Chery Arrizo GX, Arrizo 5 GT, Geely Binrui COOL, which are within 100,000 yuan or 100,000 yuan for the sports family sedan that has just started. If the price range is slightly relaxed, the Yixuan Mach version can also compete with models such as the Trumpchi Shadow Leopard and MG 6 with its own cost performance. Obviously, the 100,000-yuan entry-level family car market has been revitalized, and the Yixuan Mach version is also promising.
At present, Dongfeng Fengshen is creating Yixuan with a "big single product strategy". From the advent of Yixuan in 2019, to the successive launch of Yixuan GS and track version models in 2020, the launch of Yixuan MAX in 2021, and then to Mach Power in 2022, which has successively empowered Yixuan MAX and Yixuan, the product matrix of the "Yixuan family" is getting bigger and bigger. Its price range covers 60,000-140,000, which realizes the coverage of different needs, and Yixuan has gradually become the core product and sales pillar of Fengshen.
Data show that from January to September, the cumulative sales of the Yixuan family were 55,346 units, with an average monthly sales of 6,149 units, which is a popular product in the market segment of sports family sedans, and its impact on the entire family car market has gradually emerged. In contrast, the Trumpchi Shadow Leopard, which once singled out the Honda Civic, sold only 34,429 units from January to September this year. Thanks to the help of the Yixuan family, from January to September this year, the cumulative sales of Dongfeng Fengshen exceeded 150,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 81%, exceeding the peak of 150,000 units in 2016. In the coming months, Dongfeng Fengshen will move towards the annual sales mark of 200,000 vehicles.