Nowadays, the technical battle of China's new energy vehicles can be described as a fight between the gods, and each brand has its own magic and technology. But what dares to be called "the strongest" from the marketing level seems to be the only DMH super hybrid technology of SAIC Roewe, so where does this confidence come from? On May 10, the Roewe DMH Technology Brand Conference gave the answer.
DMH: Super Fusion, Simplicity
In 2010, SAIC Motor made a forward-looking layout in the field of plug-in hybrid technology, and regarded it as a technology worthy of long-term investment. In 2013, SAIC Motor obtained the patent related to the first-generation EDU electric drive system, and mass-produced on the Roewe e550, its hybrid system adopts P1+P2 dual motor and 2-speed transmission mechanism, and the car has also become China's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car. In 2017, the system also won the second prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award, which was the only automotive project among the award-winning projects that year, and it was also the first time that new energy technology won a national science and technology award.
In 2019, SAIC's second-generation EDU hybrid system was launched, removing the P1 motor and adopting the DHT structure, becoming the world's only 10-speed EDU intelligent electric drive transmission. In 2020, the system was iterated to EDU G2 Plus, which is shorter in structure and improves space utilization.
By 2023, SAIC's hybrid technology will evolve, and the all-new DMH super hybrid system will be installed on the Roewe D7 DMH for the first time, using a more efficient hybrid engine, a more streamlined P1+P3 dual-motor single-speed direct drive, as well as a five-in-one PICU power domain integrated control and a high-efficiency and long-life battery dedicated to superhybrid, with the characteristics of high integration, high performance and high efficiency.
More critically, I think the price advantage of the new DMH super hybrid system is more obvious. The Roewe D7 DMH power performance and pure electric endurance equipped with this system are basically benchmarked against BYD's Qin PLUS DM-i 120km version, and the starting price of the two remains the same after the price reduction, but the space size of the Roewe D7 DMH has reached the level of a medium-sized car, and it is also equipped with a single rear wheel suspension, which shows the cost performance.
This is mainly due to the DMH super hybrid technology, which is more integrated and intelligent.
Among them, the special gearbox for dual-motor high-efficiency hybrid is one of the highlights of the DMH super hybrid system. It adopts a P1/P3 dual-motor system, a dual-motor controller, a high-efficiency drivetrain, a hydraulic control system, a fuel supply module, and a hybrid control strategy. Simplify the complex, improve the power and economy of the vehicle, but also reduce noise and vibration, and make the ride more comfortable and quiet.
Another highlight is the high-efficiency hybrid engine, which has a maximum power of 82 kW, a thermal efficiency of 43 percent, ultra-low frictional losses and efficient fast combustion technology. Intelligent thermal management technology, deep Atkins cycle + external cooling EGR technology and 18 friction reduction technologies reduce energy loss and improve engine life.
The key innovation of DMH super hybrid technology is the five-in-one PICU power domain integrated controller, which is the industry's first hybrid control brain, which can realize the "five-in-one" functional control of motor, engine, hybrid transmission, air conditioning thermal management and battery thermal management.
The benefits are mainly reflected in the fast computing speed of the system and the low network load, which is reflected in the fast response of power distribution in actual driving, bringing a smoother and more efficient driving experience.
It is worth mentioning that not long ago, the Roewe D7 DMH completed the endurance test, which can achieve an ultra-long range of 1962km and an average fuel consumption of 2.8L per 100km, which is quite strong, and the name of "the strongest" hybrid is indeed not exaggerated.
Not only that, according to the latest spoilers on the official, DMH technology will bring a DME-engine with a thermal efficiency of more than 46% in the next three years, a DMT-hybrid transmission with a dual coaxial solution, and a DMC-energy brain that can optimize the energy management and control of the whole car, with the goal of further improving efficiency by 10%.
The "Gorgeous Turnaround" of Technological Reverse Output
In the first quarter of 2024, 895,000 pure electric vehicles were sold, up 15.2% year-on-year, and plug-in hybrids were 423,000 units, up 75.9% year-on-year. In the first half of April this year, the penetration rate of new energy vehicles in China exceeded 50% for the first time, proving that today's consumers' enthusiasm for new energy vehicles has surpassed that of gasoline vehicles, and Chinese brands have played a large role in this.
Because plug-in hybrid models have the all-round advantages of both pure electric and traditional fuel vehicles, they are more in line with the Chinese market environment and user needs.
However, not everyone can do a good job in plug-in hybrid technology, and further, perhaps only Chinese car companies can do a good job.
The Japanese was once known as the king of hybrids, the development of hybrid technology earlier, the fuel economy of the model is outstanding, but limited by the limited charging facilities in the local market, only in the field of HEV has advantages, from the domestic Japanese PHEV models can be seen, its cost control ability is far less than its own HEV models.
As for European and American brands, the U.S. market is highly dependent on engines, while the European market is not prominent in terms of endurance and energy supplement, and both lack the rigid demand for plug-in hybrid products, so the research and development of plug-in hybrid vehicles is particularly sluggish.
Now, with the rapid electrification of the global automotive market and the growing demand for plug-in hybrid models in the global market, it is natural that it is time for Chinese brands to show their strengths in plug-in hybrid technology.
It is understood that relying on leading technological innovation, SAIC has basically completed the "turnaround" from technology introduction to technology reverse output, and will begin to feed the joint venture brand with its own brand technology in 2024 and export to overseas markets. This is enough to reflect the leading position of SAIC's own brand in terms of innovative technology, and also help China's new energy vehicle industry to develop healthily towards high quality and high level.
From the first-generation EDU to today's DMH super hybrid, SAIC has gone through a 13-year technological upgrade route, which is also a microcosm of domestic car companies' exploration of hybrid technology. Despite today's highly homogeneous new energy market, SAIC still has embarked on a unique and leading route. In the next two years, SAIC's full range of independent brands will face the global market and accelerate the launch of more than 10 hybrid vehicle products, fully covering sedans, SUVs, MPVs and other models, among which the Roewe D5X DMH will be launched on May 20, and the third model of DMH will also be launched in the fourth quarter of this year to meet the needs of different market segments.