In the process of transforming automobiles from fuel to new energy, extended-range models shine because of their low fuel consumption and long battery life, and have become a rising "new star" in the new energy vehicle market.
Recently, the Xingtu brand and the Ideal brand have successively brought new models with extended range: on April 15, the Xingtu Epoch ET officially opened pre-sale, and on April 18, the Ideal L6 was officially launched. The former has the precision and rigor of traditional car companies, and the latter is the "Internet celebrity" of the new energy era.
Two models in 3 days, and the extended-range model has become a new outlet in the market
The car sales data for the first quarter of 2024 shows that the new energy market is continuing to expand, especially the extended-range hybrid model, which has become a star in the new energy vehicle market with its amazing growth rate.
In March 2024, sales of pure electric models reached 504,000 units, up 10.6% year-on-year, plug-in hybrid sales reached 229,000 units, up 84% year-on-year, and extended-range hybrid models reached 76,000 units, up 103% year-on-year.
This growth trend has been evident since 2023: in 2023, the growth rate of pure electric vehicles in China will be 28.2%, the growth rate of plug-in hybrid vehicles will be 69%, and the sales growth rate of extended-range hybrid models will be as high as 181%.
In the high-end new energy market, the performance of extended-range models is more eye-catching and more "involution". In order to attract the attention of consumers, some people practice the "Six-Vein Divine Sword", and some people practice the "Golden Bell Hood Iron Cloth Shirt...... The ideal of "refrigerator color TV sofa", the question of intelligent driving far ahead, and the star era with thoughtful safety chassis were born.
Recently, following the pre-sale of Xingtu Star Era ET on April 15, the ideal L6 was officially launched on April 18, which shows the competitiveness of the "hot new track".
It's all range-extenders, what's so special about the Star Era ET of the Polytechnic Man?
From the price point of view, cost performance is one of the biggest killer features of Star Era ET. According to the official release, the new car focuses on gasoline and electric "all-in-one", providing two types of power, pure electric and extended range, and 8 configuration models, of which the pre-sale price range of the extended range version is 199,000-239,000 yuan. At the time of the official launch, the price of the Star Era ET is expected to drop again.
In addition, Epoch ET has launched seven pre-sale gifts, including [Expansion Gift] 2,000 yuan deposit to 5,000 yuan for car purchase, [Trial Gift] during the pre-sale period to enjoy an additional 3,000-8,000 yuan cash subsidy and other real cash discounts, the entry threshold will be further reduced, and it will be more competitive in the mainstream market.
On the other hand, the Ideal L6 has two configuration versions - the L6 Pro version is priced at 249,800 yuan, and the L6 Max version is priced at 279,800 yuan. And this price is already the official listing price, which is much higher than the Star Era ET.
It is worth mentioning that in addition to the price advantage, in terms of product performance, Star Era ET is also remarkable. As the first SUV model of the Xingtu Epoch series, the Epoch ET not only has the popular intelligent driving and fashionable elements in the new power period, but also the technical foundation and rigorous attitude in the traditional fuel vehicle era.
Range extension technology depends on the engine manufacturer
Compared to plug-in hybrids, the range extender technology does not have a gearbox, the construction of the range extender is simpler than the engine, and the platform can be shared with pure electric vehicles, which is lower cost. An industry insider said: "The reason why the ideal can stand out in the price range of 300,000 yuan is that the cost saved in the power system is converted to the configuration of refrigerators, color TVs, large sofas and other configurations." "
However, at a time when the range extension market is becoming more and more involuted, consumers' requirements for power systems are getting higher and higher. In this context, from the perspective of mileage, engine performance and other aspects, the ideal brand no longer has a leading edge.
Taking the Epoch ET as an example, the new car is based on the Chery E0X platform, aiming at the medium and large SUV market, and provides two power systems of pure electric and extended range to meet the needs of different users, among them, the pure electric version uses an 800V high-voltage platform, and the extended range version uses a 400V architecture.
It is understood that the E0X platform is the foundation for Chery to build high-end electric vehicles, using high-intelligence electronic and electrical architecture EEA5.0, supporting high-computing hardware architecture, SOA double decoupling software architecture, high-bandwidth secure communication architecture and high-speed OTA iteration, meeting the laws and regulations of more than 50 countries around the world, and supporting global languages and voices.
From these details, it can be seen that the E0X platform has greatly improved the intelligence and globalization in the product attributes. While absorbing the advantages of the platform, the Epoch ET is equipped with the latest technology in the industry, such as UWB physical key, Lion AI large model voice and DHS smart health monitoring, etc., to create a personalized luxury and intelligent new experience for users.
In terms of intelligent driving assistance, Epoch ET is also not stingy with cost, intelligent driving hardware is full, equipped with 30 high-performance sensors and up to 508TOPS computing power NVIDIA Drive Orin chip, which can achieve safer NEP full-scene intelligent driving assistance, covering high-speed pilot assistance, city pilot assistance, intelligent parking, etc.
In addition, Epoch ET also integrates intelligent driving and intelligent cockpit AI large model, so that users can talk to virtual voice assistants in intelligent driving to complete intelligent driving control and create super intelligence.
In addition to the exclusive platform, the market-proven engine technology also makes the Epoch ET stand out from the crowd of range extender products.
Because of the technology-oriented concept of car manufacturing, Chery has always been known as the science and engineering man in the automobile circle, and its engine technology has won many awards at home and abroad. The Epoch ET Extended Range Edition adopts Chery's self-developed industry-mass-produced special engine with the highest thermal efficiency of 44.5% extended range, with a rated power of 115kW, a 1L oil power generation of 3.65kWh, a WLTC feed fuel consumption of 5.2L/100km, and a comprehensive range of 1500km+, defining the "golden range extension" with ultra-low energy consumption and ultra-long battery life.
In terms of power performance, with the blessing of 800V ultra-efficient electric drive and intelligent torque control system, the Epoch ET has a total power of 413kW, a maximum torque of 8000N·m, and an acceleration of 100 kilometers in 3 seconds.
In comparison, the ideal L6 is weaker than the interstellar ET in terms of endurance, performance and other parameters. According to the official release of the ideal L6, in terms of battery life, the comprehensive range of the ideal L6 is 1390 km, with a 1.5T four-cylinder range extender, and the WLTC fuel consumption is 6.9 liters / 100 km. In terms of power performance, the Ideal L6 has a total power of 300 kW and a total torque of 529 Nm, and an acceleration time of 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.
"Refrigerator color TV sofa" is no longer exclusive to new forces
As the leading brand in the new car-making forces, the "refrigerator color TV sofa" used to be an ideal label and signboard. However, with the comprehensive transformation of traditional car companies, the control of details is also rising.
Walking into the car, the Epoch ET comfortable seats are made of Nuprima micro-velvet matte leather, with ultra-wide luxury audio headrests, 16-way electric float zero-gravity passenger seat and industry-leading four-way power-adjustable rear seats, which can sit or lie down, and can take care of every family member in the car.
At the same time, the Epoch ET adopts intelligent air management and intelligent thermal management system, which can actively monitor the PM2.5 concentration in the car and purify the air in the car, and is equipped with the only movable star moving bar in the same class, a million-level silent space and a Lion Melody master-level audio system, creatively using the industry's only 5 subwoofers bass matrix design, integrating comfort into every detail of the driving and riding.
In addition, thanks to the advantages of the E0X platform and the design concept of "large space/small public pool", the length, width and height of the Epoch ET are 4955*1975*1698mm, the wheelbase is 3000mm, and the effective cabin space is 3.45m³. While improving the comfort of the driver and passengers, the Epoch ET is equipped with 36 storage spaces and a 1.57-square-meter canopy area, which can isolate 98.5% infrared rays and 99.9% ultraviolet rays, which is more comfortable and convenient while improving the utilization of space.
Looking at the ideal L6, its vehicle size is not small in the same class of SUVs, with a length×width and height of 49251960×1735mm, and a wheelbase of 2920mm, but it is slightly behind the Star Era ET. Not only that, but the Ideal L6 is not equipped with zero-gravity seats and other configurations, and the comfort is also slightly inferior.
Maserati's platform with the Star Era technology goes international
Behind a series of parameter advantages, Chery's E0X platform has also bloomed on the international stage.
Previously, Yin Tongyue, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Chery Holding Group, said in the live broadcast of the Star Era ET crowd test: "I will start a trip to Europe on April 16, and the main purpose of going is to talk about 4, and now there is a high probability that two European luxury brands want to use our platform, and this time I am ready to sign one, which is a brand that is much more luxurious than us, and there are two more that are being discussed." "
He proudly said: "Our technology platform is highly recognized. At the same time, a person familiar with the matter revealed that the luxury brand that is currently about to sign is Maserati, and the next step may be Alfa Romeo.
After the news came out, many netizens said: "At a time when many brands are looking for a transformation route, Chery has gone international with its technology and achieved reverse output." "
While exporting technology, Chery is also making every effort to create its own high-end products, and the Star Era ET is its representative work.
Dr. Gao Xinhua, Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. and CTO of Chery Automobile Engineering Technology R&D Institute, said at the pre-sale meeting: "Epoch ET is the representative of Chery Group's 'upward, new and future-oriented', and is the latest achievement of technological innovation, system innovation and user concept innovation. "
Zhang Guozhong, Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., said: "We will build the Xingtu brand into a luxury brand loved by the world, become the most competitive 'BBA', and lead the entire Chery Group brand upward." "
He emphasized: "Chery Group will focus on the 'upward dimension' and reduce the 'downward involution', on the one hand, it must be bold in innovation, have the courage to pursue subversive breakthroughs, and constantly write new chapters and create new possibilities with new technologies and new models, and on the other hand, it must honestly do a good job in quality, build a system and build a brand." With the two-wheel drive of technological innovation and user demand, we continue to polish the ultimate product power and bring a new experience of ultra-comfortable high-end new energy travel to global users. "