In 2023, hybrid and pure fuel will play a game in the Chinese market, and the offense and defense will shift. In the same year, the situation of Japanese cars dominating the hybrid field will also come to an end. In 2022, the sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles in mainland China will be 1.5148 million, a year-on-year increase of more than 1.5 times, and the market share will far exceed that of hybrid vehicles (HEV). In 2023, plug-in hybrid models of various configurations have fully covered various market segments such as SUVs, family cars, and MPVs. The plug-in hybrid technology of the "China Plan" not only conquers the domestic market, but also aims at the global market.
Shortlisted models waiting for the judges' static evaluation
On October 28, the "China Heart" 2023 Top Ten Engine and Hybrid System Selection Real Car Test, sponsored by Automobile and Sports Magazine and co-organized by Gaoyou Municipal Government, kicked off at the Jialian Automobile Proving Ground in Gaoyou City. The engines and hybrid systems of 15 automakers from Dongfeng Nissan, Great Wall Motor, SAIC Roewe, Changan Automobile, Geely Automobile, BYD, Chery Automobile, Dongfeng Motor, SAIC-GM, FAW Hongqi, Guangqi Honda, SAIC Volkswagen, BMW Brilliance, Changan Ford, and Changan Mazda were shortlisted for this year's real-world vehicle test. Of the 15 models shortlisted this year, there are 9 plug-in hybrid systems and 1 hybrid system. In 2022, there are only 3 plug-in hybrid systems and 1 hybrid system.
Yang Jianjun, editor-in-chief of Automotive & Sports Magazine, introduced the shortlisted power systems
"This year is the year of the explosion of plug-in hybrid systems of our own brands. There are 9 plug-in hybrid systems, 1 hybrid system, and 5 gasoline engines, of which 8 models are from domestic brands and 7 are from joint venture brands. Yang Jianjun, editor-in-chief of Automobile and Sports Magazine, introduced that in addition to the conventional series-parallel single-gear and multi-gear hybrid systems, some companies continue to innovate and upgrade on the basis of the original series-parallel hybrid technology, forming the characteristics of their own technical attributes, and the diversified configuration has formed a leading trend in the industry. In the field of pure fuel engines, joint venture brands still have high-quality models shortlisted, which is obviously different from the direction of independent brands.
The number of original technologies has increased, and the R&D strength of local car companies has been demonstrated
This year, the number of original powertrain technologies shortlisted has increased, which has brought many surprises to the expert judges. "In the past, when enterprise engineers introduced products or technologies, they liked to say: where we are better than others, but now people often say: which technologies are original to us." Lan He, a senior automotive media person, said in one sentence the distinctive characteristics of this year's shortlisted power system.
Lan He, a senior automotive media person, talks about the power system shortlisted this year
And that's exactly what happened. In this year's hot plug-in hybrid market, most car companies have begun to focus on creating products with more distinctive technical characteristics based on the market demand for complete vehicles and market demand. For example, Great Wall Motor's Hi4 plug-in hybrid technology, through configuration innovation, provides consumers with cost-effective products with four-wheel drive functions at the price of two-wheel drive; The FAW Hongqi 20TD hybrid engine fully considers the needs of high-end brand vehicles for power and comfort, and achieves breakthroughs in high efficiency, high comfort, high intelligence and high leanness; Chery Kunpeng's ultra-high-performance electric hybrid C-DM was developed simultaneously in both domestic and foreign markets at the beginning of its research and development. BYD, as always, adheres to the "electric-based" plug-in hybrid solution, and has created a DMO super hybrid off-road platform specifically for the off-road market, completely releasing the imagination space of "electricity", and reconstructing the existing off-road market pattern and technical benchmark with stronger electric drive force and off-road performance.
Dongfeng R&D team at the test site
What's even more rare is that Dongfeng Motor's Mach electric hybrid DH-i third-generation hybrid technology adopts the industry's first "series-parallel + power shunt" configuration, which has found a new way in configuration innovation, simplified the complex, creatively used power shunt for gear shifting, and achieved non-inductive shift without using clutch and complex shift mechanism, which can achieve the ultimate balance of fuel consumption, power, NVH and other performance in all road conditions and full speed range, and realize the most challenging hybrid technology route recognized as the most challenging in the industry. In this evaluation, Dongfeng's young R&D team was unanimously praised by the judges.
Professor and doctoral supervisor of the School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, the selection of the top ten engines and hybrid systems of the year by "China Heart".
This year's shortlisted technical routes and technical characteristics of engines and hybrid systems have reflected the company's complete, rational and mature R&D ideas in terms of development positioning, technical route determination and future product planning. "Even in the case of the same plug-in hybrid technology route of independent car companies, they also have their own characteristics in technical details." Yao Chunde, a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Mechanical Engineering of Tianjin University, and deputy director of the expert review committee for the selection of the top ten engines and hybrid systems of the year "China Heart", said that we have seen different technical means in the same EGR and thermal management technologies. Some companies have adopted material innovation, some have adopted configuration design innovation, and some have made great efforts in calibration.
Judges and guests from car companies discussed on the spot
"At present, there are more and more plug-in hybrid models on the market, and in this field, independent car companies are ahead of joint venture brands, and many companies have established unique hybrid routes, branding their own hybrid technologies with technical DNA." Han Zhiyu, a professor at Tongji University and a fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers International, said.
The cost is gradually leveling down, and the plug-in hybrid is fully crushing the fuel
Among the shortlisted pure fuel models, there is also a good power system. SAIC-GM's Cadillac CT6 equipped with a 2.0T gasoline engine is generally believed by experts in test drives to be full of power, sensitive response to the accelerator pedal, and excellent NVH performance. SAIC-GM's calibration method that combines software and hardware has been affirmed by experts.
Dean of the Institute of Automotive Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and an expert in the selection of the top ten engines and hybrid systems of the "China Heart".
However, there are also joint ventures that have been complained by many judges in this real car test. In the global market, Honda was the first car company to enter the plug-in hybrid market, but in this real-car test, the performance of Guangqi Honda's Haoying e:PHEV equipped with a 2.0-liter plug-in hybrid system is in stark contrast to its own brand products. "As Honda's fourth-generation hybrid technology, its power is obviously insufficient, and it is very different from domestic car companies in terms of NVH." Xu Min, dean of the Automotive Engineering Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and director of the expert review committee of the "China Heart" annual top ten engine and hybrid system selection, was blunt.
The cost competitiveness of plug-in hybrid products of Chinese car companies made the judges even more excited. Among the shortlisted models, the lowest price of Changan Automobile Qiyuan A05 is less than 90,000 yuan, which makes experts feel incredible. SAIC Roewe D7 and Chery Fengyun A8 have also attracted the attention of experts. Both plug-in hybrids, these three models have been highly praised by experts in terms of exterior design, interior configuration and power itself.
"Our plug-in hybrid products can make the price less than 90,000 yuan, whether in terms of advanced technology or cost, it has been fully crushed pure fuel vehicles. This means that we have a competitive advantage in the global market! Xin Jun, founder of Yisen Technology and co-founder of Huajian New Energy, said. Xin Jun also praised the SAIC Roewe D7 equipped with a 1.5L plug-in hybrid system: "In actual driving, the driving experience of traditional fuel vehicles and plug-in hybrid models is completely different. The switch from electricity to oil is very smooth, the power system is very well matched with the whole vehicle, and the acceleration performance of 100 kilometers is also very good. ”
"After test driving Fengyun A8, Equation Leopard, and Fengshen Haohan, I feel that the independent brand has improved the power system technology and manufacturing capacity of the entire industry to a new level through plug-in hybrid technology." Li Liguang, professor and doctoral supervisor of Tongji University, fellow of the International Society of Automotive Engineers, and deputy director of the expert review committee of the "China Heart" annual top ten engine and hybrid system selection, said.
"Although plug-in hybrid technology has more controllers, motors and other components than traditional internal combustion engines, the overall cost of hybrid technology in the whole industry has decreased, making its popularization possible. With the help of the electric motor, the engine can be subtracted and focused on improving energy performance. Zu Bingfeng, director of Tianjin Institute of Internal Combustion Engines, said.
In the interviews with the corporate guests on the day, we also learned that some of the joint venture partners of the enterprises have already discussed with them to cooperate on electrification technology. Whether it is the advancement of technology, the control of costs, the stability of quality, and the understanding of users, Chinese auto companies have shown their competitiveness in the field of plug-in hybrid.
Test site
Suddenly, like a night of spring breeze, thousands of trees and pear blossoms bloom. In 2023, plug-in hybrid products will emerge in the Chinese market and become the new leader in automobile sales. In January ~ August this year, the sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles in mainland China have exceeded that of last year, reaching 1.529 million units, a year-on-year increase of 86.9%. In the "China Heart" 2023 Top Ten Engines and Hybrid Systems Selection Shortlisted for the Real Vehicle Test, we really saw the hybrid technology route of a hundred flowers. We hope that these technologies will not only take root, but also flourish and create a new world.
Thanks to Jiangsu Weibo Power Technology Co., Ltd. and Wuxi Shengding Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. for their support to this event
Enhance understanding and promote development Seek cooperation opportunities for local governments and car companies
Different from previous years' selection, this year's "China Heart" activity has received strong support from the local Gaoyou Municipal Government. Zhou Wei, member of the Standing Committee of the Gaoyou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and Secretary of the Party Committee of Xiejia Town, said that Gaoyou has a certain foundation for the development of the automobile industry, and has initially formed an industrial chain integrating the R&D and production of low-speed electric vehicles, new energy vehicle thermal management systems, automotive lightweight parts, automobile wheels and other parts, and hopes that more car companies will invest in Gaoyou.
Zhou Wei, member of the Standing Committee of the Gaoyou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and Secretary of the Party Committee of Xiejia Town, delivered a speech
Shi Meishan, deputy mayor of Gaoyou City, introduced the industrial situation of Gaoyou City
Shi Meishan, deputy mayor of Gaoyou City, also promoted the industry of Gaoyou City to the participating car companies. "We hope to strengthen cooperation with domestic car companies in terms of new energy electric vehicles, automotive motors and drives, driving assistance systems, etc., and actively seek cooperation in the fields of technology transfer, equity grafting, product support, and manufacturing bases, so as to promote the development of more auto parts enterprises, power lithium batteries and energy storage systems, and hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers in Gaoyou City." Shi Meishan said that it will provide "more efficient" government services, "more satisfactory" policy support, a fair and just legal environment, and a social environment of respecting and loving business for enterprises that invest in Gaoyou.
At the event site, Gaoyou local parts enterprise exhibition area
Gui Junsong, editor-in-chief of China Automotive News, delivered a speech
Gui Junsong, editor-in-chief of China Automotive News, said that the selection of the top ten engines and hybrid systems of the year of "China Heart" is ranked as the world's top three engines along with the "Ward Top Ten Engines" and the "International Engine of the Year", and it is also the only domestic automobile power system selection, witnessing the history of China's automobile power development. "The 'China Heart' selection is not only a selection activity for the industry's driving force, but also a platform for technical exchanges and cooperation in the industry. It is hoped that in the future, the annual test activity of 'China Heart' can be used as an opportunity to let more automobile companies and auto parts companies have an in-depth understanding of Gaoyou, and create opportunities for mutual cooperation for all parties." He said.