"Chery is a gambler-like company that does not consider the cost of technology research and development; Chery company is also a very critical company, we are very critical in terms of clothing, food, housing and transportation. ”
At the mass production event of Chery's super hybrid engine and gearbox held recently, Yin Tongyue, secretary of the party committee and chairman of Chery Holding Group, said.
Speaking of the research and development of the powertrain, Yin Tongyue was full of emotion, he recalled that when he returned to Wuhu to start a business, the old leader of FAW once told him: "China's automobile industry goes around the engine, see if you have the ability to understand the engine." ”
Therefore, the first company Chery did at that time was actually an engine company, and the first workshop it did was the engine workshop. In this regard, Yin Tongyue said jokingly: "Chery is not actually a car company, but an engine company, a powertrain technology company." ”
Nowadays, Chery has indeed reached the world's leading level in engine technology, and in terms of performance, fuel economy, etc., it can fully benchmark foreign car companies such as Volkswagen and "Two Fields", and even some places can do better. At present, Chery has won the title of "China Heart" Top Ten Engines for more than 10 engines, which shows Chery's strong advantages in engine technology.
Chery's technology in traditional engines is indeed very strong, but some voices believe that under the wave of electrification, engines are becoming less and less important, and will Chery's core competitiveness no longer exist?
The answer is obviously not, in the current hybrid new energy market, the status of the engine is also crucial. As an important part of hybrid systems, the engine remains the key to success in the field of hybrid technology.
Let's take a look at Chery's latest hybrid system, the Kunpeng ultra-performance hybrid C-DM system? What are the technical highlights of its hybrid special engine?
Kunpeng Super Performance Hybrid C-DM: Two gold CP combinations
In fact, Chery hybrid technology has been accumulated for 18 years. As early as 2005, Chery established the National Environmental Protection Automobile Engineering Center; In 2016, the first generation of hybrid technology, ESS technology, was launched and mass production was achieved. In 2020, Chery launched the second-generation hybrid technology hybrid e+.
After three generations of technology iterations, its global high-performance and continuous high-energy-saving technical advantages make it not inferior to competitors in the hybrid field.
Specifically, this Kunpeng Super Performance Electric Hybrid C-DM consists of an electric hybrid special engine, an electric hybrid special gearbox, and an electric hybrid special battery management system. Among them, the hybrid special gearbox includes two sets of three-speed super electric hybrid DHT and stepless super electric hybrid DHT, and the fifth-generation ACTECO 1.5TGDI high-efficiency hybrid special engine forms a hybrid "two golden CP combinations", matching different levels of models.
1. The third generation 1.5TGDI hybrid special engine
Let's take a look at the fifth generation ACTECO 1.5TGDI high-efficiency hybrid special engine, which adopts six core technologies: deep miller cycle, fourth-generation i-HEC intelligent combustion system, HTC high-efficiency boosting system, LS intelligent lubrication system, i-HTM intelligent thermal management system, and HiDS high-dilution system, which can finally achieve thermal efficiency greater than 44.5%.
What is the level of thermal efficiency? For comparison, the thermal efficiency of the Xiaoyun-plug-in hybrid 1.5L engine of BYD's DM-i hybrid, which has been mass-produced and loaded, is 43.04%, and the thermal efficiency of the Geely Ray Shenzhiqing Hi· The DHE15 engine of the X Hybrid has a thermal efficiency of 43.32%.
As for Toyota's proud 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, its thermal efficiency is 41%, and Mazda's SKYACTIV-X engine has a thermal efficiency of 43%.
It can be seen that in the field of engine thermal efficiency in the world, Chery's fifth-generation ACTECO 1.5TGDI high-efficiency hybrid special engine has reached the world's top level.
In terms of power performance, the maximum power of this engine is 115kW and the peak torque is 220Nm, which is the mainstream level in the same class of 1.5T hybrid special engines. It is worth mentioning that this engine can use 92 gasoline, and the maintenance interval has been extended to 10,000 km / time. In addition, the design of bending dual-mode TVD and high-precision dual-EIS system is adopted in the development process, which can bring better operation and quiet performance.
2. Three-speed super electric hybrid DHT
As we all know, the current plug-in hybrid has two main camps, one is single-speed DHT, and the other is multi-speed DHT.
The former is represented by BYD's DM-i technology, the drive motor has a single-speed reducer, and the engine is connected to the drive shaft through the clutch, which is equivalent to only one gear. The advantages of this type of hybrid are high fuel efficiency, and the disadvantage is that the engine power is small and the power is insufficient under extreme working conditions.
The latter is represented by the multi-speed DHT technology launched by Great Wall and Geely. For example, Great Wall's 2-speed DHT and Geely's 3-gear DHT. More gears allow the engine to participate in the power output as much as possible, while ensuring fuel saving while taking into account power.
Chery's hybrid route is more comprehensive, with both single-speed DHT and three-speed DHT.
First of all, Chery's 3-speed DHT, its drive motor is cleverly combined with 3-speed DHT. Among them, the first gear speed ratio setting is relatively large, mainly used to start acceleration. The three-gear speed ratio is very small, mainly to ensure that when driving at high speed, the engine speed is low, fuel consumption is low, and sound noise is reduced. The second gear speed ratio mainly takes into account the shift of the first and third gears to ensure the smoothness of the shift, and at the same time take into account the fuel consumption at medium and low speeds and medium and low speeds.
Thanks to the 3-speed transmission and dual-drive motor, the Kunpeng DHT system can derive 9 operating modes and 11 combined gears. Including: single motor pure electric mode, dual motor pure electric mode, series range extension mode, engine direct drive mode, parallel drive mode, parking charging mode, driving charging mode, single motor brake energy recovery, dual motor brake recovery.
In different working scenarios, the built-in control system calculates the optimal working gear in real time, which can achieve a balance of power, smoothness and economy.
In terms of parameters, under the empowerment of the "dual motor drive + 3-speed DHT" mode, the maximum output power of the drive motor can reach 165kW, the maximum input torque is 510N·m, the output torque of the wheel end can exceed 4000N·m, and the average speed of electric drive is >90%.
Not only that, but the combination also has a strong power output at full speed. Officials said that its acceleration per 100 kilometers is only 4.26s, and the limit speed reaches 240km/h, which is quite excellent for hybrid systems. In the face of the congestion of commuting in the city, it only takes 3s to accelerate from 30 km/h to 70 km/h, which not only does not fall behind with the car, but also makes overtaking easier; In a high-speed scene where you are running freely, it only takes 3.6s to accelerate from 90 km/h to 120 km/h.
3. Stepless super electric hybrid DHT
Stepless super electric hybrid DHT, which is what we often call single-speed DHT, adopts a P1+P3 hybrid structure, mainly based on the logic of electric drive, and is also a relatively mainstream hybrid route on the market.
This system can realize pure electric drive, series drive, parallel drive, energy recovery several working modes, the general urban working conditions to pure electric (sufficient power) or series drive (insufficient power) mainly, and high-speed driving can achieve efficient engine direct drive, when strong power can also be realized engine and motor parallel drive, switching between various modes can basically be senseless, smooth power output is also a major advantage of this hybrid system.
In terms of parameters, the maximum power of the drive motor is 150kW, the maximum speed reaches 16000 rpm, the output torque of the wheel end is greater than 3750N·m, the maximum efficiency of the motor is 98% (the industry average is 97%), and the comprehensive endurance can reach 1400+km, providing users with ultra-low energy consumption preferred configuration.
It can be seen that the focus of these two sets of hybrid systems is different, the combination of 1.5TGDI high-efficiency engine + 3-speed super electric hybrid DHT pays more attention to performance, which can be seen as BYD's DM-P king hybrid; The combination of 1.5TGDI high-efficiency engine + stepless super electric hybrid DHT is mainly "electric-based, oil-supplemented" logic, and pays more attention to fuel economy, which can be seen as a benchmark for BYD's DM-i super hybrid.
4. Hybrid battery management system
In terms of the electric hybrid special battery management system, the official said that C-DM introduced NP2.0 technology, with IP68 level water immersion protection, whether it is accidental collision, extreme weather, trekking mountains, can achieve 0 insulation risk, fast power failure within 10 milliseconds and 0 heat spread with electrical high safety control, no fire even under extreme conditions, no risk of electric shock.
At the same time, C-DM's battery management system also adopts a new material M3P, combined with self-heating and self-cooling technology, which can freely travel south and north in the temperature range of -35°C~60°C. It supports a 6.6kW V2L external discharge function, so you can easily use electrical appliances such as electric kettles and electric ovens when camping in the wilderness.
In terms of charging, the battery pack with C-DM supports national standard, European standard and American standard, covering the needs of all scenarios around the world. Officially, the 37-degree battery pack can last more than 165km on a single charge, and can be replenished to 80% in 18 minutes.
Accelerated the full hybridization, and launched 20+ new hybrid vehicles
In recent years, the development of new energy vehicles has been rapid, and the sales of new energy vehicles in the first quarter of 2023 were 1.586 million units, a year-on-year increase of 26.2%, and the market share reached 26.1%, of which hybrid vehicles sold 433,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 74.1%, and the growth rate is strong, which shows the importance of hybrid systems, so each company is also launching corresponding models.
With the blessing of Kunpeng's ultra-performance electric hybrid C-DM, the three major brands of Chery, Xingtu and Jietu will be fully hybridized. Officials said that from 2023 to 2024, Chery Group will have more than 20 products equipped with Kunpeng ultra-performance electric hybrid C-DM, which basically covers the rhythm of full coverage.
Among them, Arrizo 8C-DM, as the first model of the Chery brand to ride the Kunpeng ultra-performance electric hybrid C-DM, will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2023. It is expected that by 2025, the Chery brand will bring more than 10 C-DM models to realize the comprehensive new energy of products.
As for Xingtu Automobile, the Yaoguang C-DM, which was unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023, will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2023. It is expected that by 2025, Xingtu will bring four hybrid models to fully hybridize fuel vehicles.
In addition, JIT Motors has also started a full hybridization of new products such as JIT Traveler, as well as existing products, and will simultaneously launch hybrid products, and achieve full new energy by 2024. Among them, the hybrid version of the Jietu Traveler will be equipped with Chery Kunpeng's ultra-performance electric hybrid C-DM technology, and it is expected that by 2024, 6 models of the Jietu will be equipped with this technology.
Incarnated as the "God of Gambling", how does Chery win the new energy war?
As the "technical house" of Chinese automobile brands, Chery has always had its own persistence and persistence in technology.
At the press conference, Gu Chunshan, executive director of Chery Power System Technology Center, shared a case. In 2002, Chery took out almost all its family resources to cooperate with Austrian AVL, and finally had the first domestic car engine of Chinese brand, achieving a breakthrough of Chinese brand from 0 to 1.
From this point, it can be seen that Chery's dedication to independent research and development of technology, and even willing to block all wealth for technology. Therefore, Yin Tongyue's statement that Chery is a "gambler" company is not an exaggeration. And now it seems that Chery is obviously "gambling" right.
According to the latest data released by Chery Automobile, Chery brand sold 92,252 vehicles in April this year, a year-on-year increase of 120.3%, and the cumulative sales from January to April were 330,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 54.4%; Xingtu brand sales in April were 8,102 units, a year-on-year increase of 339.6%, and cumulative sales from January to April were 24,368 units, a year-on-year increase of 98.7%. The sales volume of the Jietu brand in April was 19,005 units, a year-on-year increase of 145.7%, and the sales volume from January to April was 70,953 units, a year-on-year increase of 105.7%.
In addition to the rapid growth of sales, from the ranking point of view, Chery not only once again beat SAIC Volkswagen, ranking third. That's right, again. And in the current independent brands, Chery is second only to BYD, surpassing the "independent three" in one fell swoop: Geely, Changan and Great Wall.
Chery's ability to overtake the three independent is inseparable from the "big bet" of its helmsman Yin Tongyue. Yin Tongyue, who came from a technical background, worked in the front line of FAW Technology for more than ten years before joining Chery, and he knows the importance of technology. Therefore, since Yin Tongyue established Chery, it has deeply rooted its independent research and development in the brand gene and car manufacturing concept, and won Chery the reputation of "science and engineering man".
Now, in the face of the "new track", Chery has once again opened the "gambler" mode and chose ALL IN New Energy. Among them, in addition to launching the third-generation hybrid technology, Kunpeng Super Performance Electric Hybrid C-DM, Chery has also focused on multiple core technology areas such as Mars architecture, Lion Technology, and Galaxy Ecology, covering a number of core technologies such as new energy powertrain, software and hardware platform architecture, intelligent cockpit and driving.
It can be seen that Chery's core competitive advantage is not only the engine, but also has deep technology accumulation in the new track of new energy.
Of course, the premise of "stud" new energy requires a strong "principal". In this regard, last year Chery announced that it plans to invest more than 100 billion yuan in the next five years, train more than 20,000 R&D talents, establish 300 Yaoguang laboratories, relying on the heritage of technology self-research, Chery will continue to lead through core technologies and occupy a favorable position in the era of new energy electrified vehicles.
As the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way. Chery, which regards technology as the soul of the enterprise, will be able to spread its wings and soar to 90,000 li!