In recent years, with the active layout and continuous innovation of major car companies, there has been no shortage of star models in the luxury MPV market. Especially at the moment when new energy is popular, luxury electric hybrid MPV has become a must for car companies. With the perfect combination of business and home attributes, this type of car not only shows a low-key and elegant temperament, but also fully considers practicality. In addition, a breakthrough has been achieved in the power system, which is in line with the trend of environmental protection, and has advanced in endurance, effectively solving the endurance anxiety of long-distance travel. With the gradual recovery of the MPV market and the diversification of usage scenarios and needs, luxury electric hybrid MPVs just meet consumers' needs for high quality, high performance and high safety.
As the opening award of 2024, at the 2024 Beijing International Auto Show held not long ago, a luxury electric hybrid MPV attracted the attention of Che Xiaowei. It is the Hongqi HQ9 PHEV. Relying on the fact that the Hongqi booth is already full of traffic, it can still shine on its own and attract countless eyes. It can be seen that the Chinese cars with super rows have come.
In order to have a more objective understanding of the actual situation of such a luxury electric hybrid MPV, we also moved out the old MPV king Buick GL8 to compete with it.
As we all know, among the mid-to-high-end MPV models, the status of Buick GL8 is undoubted. Whether it is the "age" of nearly 30 years or the sales volume in the market segment, it is a familiar model.
The benchmark model this time is the GL8 ES, let's take a look.
Body shape: Whoever is more comfortable is king
As an MPV, comfort is the key to consideration. The space and comfort of the luxury cabin are important criteria for assessment.
Judging from the shape of the two cars alone, we can easily see the clues.
| Models | 红旗HQ9 PHEV | Buick GL8 ES |
| Length (mm) | 5222 | 5219 |
| Width (mm) | 2005 | 1878 |
| Height (mm) | 1935 | 1799/1805 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 3200 | 3088 |
The data shows that the body size of the Hongqi HQ9 PHEV can be said to be ahead of the Buick GL8 ES, and its large and wide-body design can make the interior space performance particularly gratifying. The longest wheelbase in its class also highlights the advantages. In particular, the MPV pays more attention to the space and design of the second row, and the third row is not crowded. The Hongqi HQ9 PHEV has two or three rows of through-type long slide seats, with a total sliding length of 2030mm, and is also equipped with an independent armrest screen, and two zero-gravity seats support including 173° reclining, 16-way adjustment, 20-way pneumatic hot stone massage, and one-key negotiation/rest mode. And its third-row seats support 95°-135° adjustment to meet the comfort of the whole car's drivers and passengers. In the case of the third row reversed, the maximum volume of the trunk reached 1700L. Business car or home travel, a good helper.
Let's look at the old king Buick GL8 ES, although the body size is not as large as the Hongqi HQ9 PHEV, but after all, it is an old MPV, and the performance in the second row is also very good. The two seats are integrated aviation seats, which support 10 electric adjustments, and can also electrically adjust the distance between the front and rear through the front and rear slides, lift the electric leg rest, and fold down the seat, which is also very comfortable to ride.
When it comes to body shape, everyone must have opinions about the shape of the two cars. However, with the growing popularity of the national tide led by Hongqi, the appearance of Hongqi HQ9 PHEV has also begun to be sought after by more young people. Large-size waterfall grille, split headlight shape, and the first few items are covered with raised red flags...... It's all adrenaline-pumping.
In comparison, Buick GL8 ES has never made much breakthrough, and it is still a decent business style.
Kinetic energy: Hybrid is the king of cost performance
In addition to comfort, the performance and kinetic energy of an MPV are also the key to whether it can dominate the market segment.
The reason why Buick GL8 can always occupy an irreplaceable position in the MPV segment is that its performance and kinetic energy performance are also remarkable. The stalk of "GL8 with 800 kilometers expedited and 4 hours to retrieve the official seal" is the best proof.
As the flagship MPV model of the Buick brand, the application of the new generation of 2.0T+9AT+48V mild hybrid power combination has made the GL8 ES Luzun reach a new height in terms of power output and smoothness. Whether on city roads or highways, the GL8 ES delivers surging power and stable driving performance. According to the data, the maximum horsepower of the car is 237Ps, the maximum torque is 350N·m, and the acceleration time of 100 kilometers is 9.8 seconds.
However, another thing that is well known is that this most successful MPV model in the United States is also a proper "oil tiger".
In this way, the advantages of the Hongqi HQ9 PHEV are highlighted.
The Hongqi HQ9 PHEV is equipped with a 2.0T hybrid engine + high-efficiency dual-motor hybrid transmission, combined with a standard four-wheel drive system and drive motor hybrid energy recovery technology, with a maximum output of 300kW, a maximum torque of 820Nm, and a comprehensive fuel consumption as low as 2.2L/100km. The system not only provides strong power output, but also has excellent performance in terms of energy efficiency and environmental protection. Coupled with the excellent performance of the Hongqi brand's battery management and energy recovery technology, the range of the HQ9 PHEV has been greatly improved. According to official data, the HQ9 PHEV can provide a CLTC pure electric range of up to 73 kilometers when the battery is fully charged, which meets the needs of daily commuting and short trips, and its WLTC combined range also reaches 833 kilometers. At the same time, it only takes about 25 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%, which greatly shortens the waiting time for charging and brings more convenience to the driver.
Sense of security: the threshold of the luxury king
Considering the use scenario of MPV, safety is an important threshold for this type of model.
Hongqi HQ9 applies the full-chain AI security system, with all-weather cloud monitoring technology, real-time attention to the health of the battery, and the active spray technology pioneered by Hongqi to accurately and quickly cool down abnormal battery cells, eliminate thermal runaway, and allow users to travel safely. In addition, Hongqi HQ9 PHEV strictly adheres to the 21st version of the five-star safety standard, with a "9H" solid armor body + 68% high-strength steel ratio, and is equipped with a 6s ultra-long pressure-holding side air curtain energy-absorbing bumper + spider web hair cover, etc., to create the highest standard of business safety travel experience. In addition, Hongqi HQ9 PHEV also uses 0 formaldehyde material, all from natural plants, and can achieve 100% recycling, the seats and door trim in the car, the use of nano-level leather technology, can achieve ecological negative oxygen ions.
In terms of safety performance, the Buick GL8 ES Luzun also performs well. It is equipped with an advanced active and passive safety system, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and other functions, providing comprehensive safety for drivers. At the same time, the application of aluminum alloy body and ultra-high-strength steel also greatly improves the crash resistance and structural stability of the vehicle.
Write at the end
I have to say that at the 2024 Beijing International Auto Show, we have a deeper sense of honor brought by "China's noodles".
In the long river of development of the automobile industry, Chinese brands are fortunate to overtake in the field of new energy vehicles, and even lead some market segments, which is worth remembering.
Chinese cars, made in China, we can not only be atmospheric and high-grade, but also understand that comfort will save money. And when it comes to security, there is no ambiguity. The Hongqi HQ9 PHEV is a prime example of this.