There is a line in a TV series that goes like this: This is not an ordinary Jeep, this is a Land Rover, a special car for the British royal family. You think it is ugly, but I think it is the best looking car in the car. As long as the driver is bloody, he wants to own a Land Rover. "
This line speaks to the hearts of most men, but the reality is that for the vast majority of ordinary people, Land Rover is still a spiritual totem-like model.
However, with the rise of new energy in China, there are not a few replacement models with tough appearance and hard-core strength. The second-generation big dog with Hi4 technology that we test drive today is such a model.
Replace with a new power system
First of all, let’s take a look at the evolution of the second-generation big dog power system. The car went on sale at the end of February last year, but the Hi4 hybrid system was officially released in March, and it was officially applied to the mass-produced new car Xiaolong MAX in May. However, for such a wild-looking style, without four-wheel drive, it is really just a game.
After market research and the voice of netizens, after a year, we are looking forward to the second generation of Haval big dog Hi4 finally arrived as scheduled, the new car has been listed, the new car is currently only launched a configuration version, priced at 179,800 yuan.
Compared with the previous fuel version and DHT version, the size, appearance, and interior are basically the same, and the core difference is the power system.
Therefore, at the beginning of this article, let’s start directly with its driving section.
Comfortable orientation, motivation at any time
The route of our test drive this time allows us to fully experience the comprehensive working conditions of this Haval Hi4 electric four-wheel drive, including high-speed sections, national highway sections, rural road sections, and off-road sections, basically covering all scenarios used by consumers.
Looking at the parameters first, the second-generation big dog technology is actually very familiar, the same as the Haval Raptor. 1.5T engine + front and rear dual motors, a total of three power sources.
The maximum output power of the engine is 123kW and the peak torque is 243N · m.
The maximum output power of the front motor is 70kW, and the peak torque is 160N · m.
The maximum power of the rear motor is 150kW, and the peak torque is 350N · m.
So, when you need power, with full throttle, all three power sources exert force at the same time, and the maximum power of the system can reach 278kW.
The combined torque is 750 N · m, and the zero-hundred can reach 6.3 seconds.
The new car provides a total of three driving mode adjustments, namely pure electric, pure electric priority, and intelligent hybrid. Usually commuting in urban areas, when the battery is sufficient, it is more willing to put it in pure electric mode. One is that the cost of driving is low, and the other is that it will have better comfort.
But for long runs, I still prefer to place it in an intelligent hybrid, where the system can automatically match the most suitable power mode according to the throttle opening and current road conditions, thus keeping the power online.
In actual experience, even if the power is below 25%, there will be no dilemma of "one dragon with electricity, one worm without electricity". The two-speed gearbox structure can be intervened at a speed of 40km/h. When there is a demand for power, the system will switch to the parallel mode, the three power sources will exert force at the same time, and the high-speed re-acceleration ability is also strong.
In addition, its long-distance comfort is very good, the rear seat legroom and leg support are in place, and it is also equipped with an open and close sunroof with sunshade, as well as a rear side window sunshade. The road noise and wind noise are well isolated, which is rare in an SUV.
However, it is regrettable that even if the kinetic energy recovery is placed under the weak option, the adjustment of the brakes is still sensitive, and a tap will have an obvious braking reaction, which can easily cause the phenomenon of brake nodding.
For the rear passengers, it will affect the comfort. This requires the driver to get used to it a little and control their footwork reasonably.
The off-road expert in the city SUV
In addition to the confidence in city driving, Haval’s second-generation big dog Hi4 off-road capability is also a highlight.
The first is the off-road hard data. The second-generation big dog offers an approach angle of 24 °, a departure angle of 30 °, a longitudinal pass angle of 19 °, and a minimum ground clearance of 200mm. Its chassis passability is much higher than that of most urban SUVs.
In comparison, the Subaru Forester, the originator of urban off-road, has an approach angle of 21.5 degrees, a departure angle of 25.8 degrees, and a minimum ground clearance of 220mm.
In response to off-road conditions, we provide four different off-road escape modes: snow, four-wheel drive, mud and sand. In this rainforest crossing, I used the mud mode throughout the process.
In the rainy season in Guangdong, the road is filled with mud and unpaved roads, which is almost the limit of a city SUV. We also use a Kumho road tire, which is a test of four-wheel drive capability and torque vector control system.
During the entire process, in fact, I only need to stabilize my direction and step on the accelerator lightly, and I can basically pass easily.
According to the official introduction, the second-generation big dog Hi4 can pass through single rear wheel, cross shaft, single front axle, single rear axle pulley block, and can climb 60% of the ramp at Xushui Proving Ground, while the ramp starting angle can reach 40%.
Haval’s second-generation big dog uses Hi4 technology, which is an inevitable result of the development of Haval’s technology. The new car offers an excellent car experience in terms of fuel economy, off-road passability, and ride comfort.
Unfortunately, the Hi4 version only launched one configuration, and the price reached 179,800 yuan.
The configuration is rich enough, but for light off-road players, there are too many square box-shaped new cars now, and the second-generation big dog is quite competitive. But how to get a place? Price is important, Hi4 is also important.
I think we can make some trade-offs in the configuration later, and also apply Hi4 technology to launch a few more entry-level versions.
Only in this way can we truly achieve the "four-wheel drive experience, two-wheel drive price, four-wheel drive performance, and two-wheel drive energy consumption" promoted by Hi4.
