This article is reproduced from the Autocarweekly public account
Author: Du Debiao
In every field and every stage of the automotive market, there will always be some new players emerging. In the past, the 100,000-level market was dominated by joint venture cars, especially SUVs, but now it has become the world of independent products. Although independent products often dominate the charts, there is still a need for some fresh air after being dominated by fuel engines such as 1.5T and 2.0T for a long time. We need a newcomer to shake things up.
However, independent products in the fuel economy sector are tough, as they rely on cost-effectiveness, and when joint venture cars can’t compete, they use “brand” as their selling point. Therefore, the traditional approach is not suitable, especially for the independent SUVs in the 100,000-plus price range. They are not like a heavyweight martial arts gym in Foshan invited by a Kung Fu master from Mount Emei. They are more like a group of highly skilled martial artists like Ip Man. So we need to find a new “entry point”.
The NETA U Pro from NETA Auto seems to have found it. It has the body of a joint venture car, the wheelbase of an independent compact car, a range comparable to a 200,000-yuan new energy product, and a series of intelligent configurations to protect the driver. SUVs in the 100,000-150,000 price range can take note.
From a strength perspective, the many factions in the new energy wave can be roughly divided into two types: those who ride the waves and those who chase the waves. The former relies on strength, while the latter relies on trendiness. The latter may have some individual strength, but the former relies on overall strength. The NETA brand under Volkswagen is not as aggressive as NIO or IDEAL, but starts from the basics, step by step, until it reaches the 100,000-150,000 price range, where its strength is relatively more comprehensive. When we say that the NETA U Pro can compete with fuel-powered cars, it is based on its strength, rather than relying on exaggerated background noise, which could easily become a suicidal attack.
How the 610km Range Came to Be
First of all, let’s talk about the range. The 2021 NETA U Pro, priced at 99,800 to 159,800 RMB, has three range levels for its four versions: 400 kilometers, 500 kilometers and 610 kilometers, which basically raises the range threshold set by the old and new forces in the industry by more than 100 kilometers. Especially the 610-kilometer range of the exploration version, which can basically compete with the 200,000-yuan new energy products. So the saying “why be afraid of nobles and courtiers” is not simply addressed to DNA.
And with the development of the power battery technology today, the breakthrough lies in reducing dependence on cobalt materials to lower costs while relying on improving the technical content of details and power battery management systems. Despite its controversy, Tesla’s focus on the “three electric” technologies and lightweight pursuit helps to reduce the burden on the battery pack in all aspects. This technical direction is worthy of recognition and reference.
# Translation
The NETA U Pro shares a similar design concept with the other electric vehicles in the market, which is to rely on multiple technologies to achieve a longer battery life. One of the technologies used in this vehicle is the battery temperature control system which is an intelligent heating and cooling center. During fast charging, when the core battery temperature rises to about 36℃, the system starts automatically cooling it down, keeping it within a safe level regardless of the changes in the charging current.
Another technology employed in the NETA U Pro is the power domain control system which integrates various systems such as the vehicle computer, battery management, and overall control systems. This system takes into account factors such as temperature and sensation to recommend the best power allocation options. For example, in cold or hot seasons, air conditioning can consume a lot of power. The power domain control system optimizes resource allocation based on factors such as temperature, ensuring the lowest possible energy consumption from the air conditioning.
Integrating intelligent technologies in electric vehicles greatly enhances their flexibility and makes them more energy-efficient. The NETA U Pro accomplishes this with a low-drag caliper and single-pedal driving mode, as these two modes reduce energy consumption, while the seat design in Tesla’s vehicles also sustains energy further.
Strong Conventional Indicators
During the Shanghai Auto Show, a CEO of an automobile company was asked about their self-driving capabilities compared to their competitors. He claimed that their product would achieve a comprehensive victory based on various strengths, not solely through one feature. For the NETA U Pro, long battery life sets it apart from other electric vehicles, but to achieve comprehensive success in the competitive automobile market, it must also have strong conventional indicators.
The NETA U Pro is designed to be compact and lightweight, making it easier to handle and reduce weight. Although it is smaller than internal combustion engine (ICE) competitors, it still reaches 4,530mm in length, equivalent to compact SUV requirements, and has a wheelbase of 2,770mm, meeting the medium-SUV threshold. Additionally, it features a unique suspension system with front and rear multi-link independent suspension, and disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, which is contrary to the usual ICE vehicles’ structure. Hardcore ICE vehicle enthusiasts may find it unfamiliar while browsing the SUV configuration charts.The entire range of standard features is extensive. Except for features like automatic parking and camera systems, the entire suite of safety systems that start from the 129,800 RMB base model is also included at lower levels. Additionally, the 18-inch wheels on the base model, 19-inch wheels on higher models, full-range adaptive cruise control, electric and sensory rear trunk, and built-in driving recorder are all included as part of a generous package available on mid-low models. Among the almost gift-like options on the configuration sheet, the lighting system is the most moving one. As a modification enthusiast who loves lighting technology and understands its safety significance, when I saw the full set of LED headlights with adaptive high and low beams, my eyes became moist.
This car is ready to compete.
Specialized Intelligent Technology
Well, let’s tidy up our appearance and keep discussing intelligent technology. After all, this is a new energy product that is inseparable from technology and an essential part of a systematic approach to operations.
Let’s not talk much about autonomous driving, which is L2+ and capable of automatic following and start/stop. In the future, it will be able to achieve higher levels as regulations are relaxed, but I won’t go into detail about it. Let’s talk about something new.
For example, the transparent A-pillar. It’s not entirely transparent, but it’s clearer than real transparency and synchronized, so you can synchronize the blind spots on both sides of the A-pillar while the vehicle is moving. Moreover, the imaging on the A-pillar isn’t just a connection between an OLED screen and an exterior camera, but it also takes into account the angle between the driver’s eyes and the A-pillar when reading the images. Therefore, the in-car camera captures the driver’s eyes and calculates the optimal viewing angle for the driver’s current position when reading the exterior of the A-pillar using an algorithm.
That’s what I call professionalism. Why did I say that the phrase “systematic operations” only applies to half of it earlier? It’s because in addition to having excellent comprehensive strength, you also need specialized proficiency. The transparent A-pillar can be considered one of the signature features of the NETA series. In the past, other models could only follow the blind-spot detection, but now NETA has moved the imaging system to both sides of the A-pillar, which looks high-tech and resembles…. naked-eye 3D?
Of course, in terms of intelligent configuration, there are also similar configurations like in other models. For example, the in-car camera not only has face recognition but also incorporates seat memory function, which provides different care for frequent passengers. In addition, some manufacturers have developed a vital sign monitoring system using only cameras, but NETA U Pro uses more accurate sensors to monitor respiratory concentration and coordinates with the entire vehicle to detect biological residues inside the vehicle.
The solution is even more interesting. After detecting anomalies, it will not only notify the car owner via an app or phone but also automatically turn the air conditioning on for ventilation. Nevertheless, I hope that under such comprehensive high-tech protection, NETA U Pro owners in the future will not be too complacent.The feature of the NETA U Pro’s intelligent configuration is to refine different scenarios and then solve them. Otherwise, configuration is just configuration, and practicality is restricted. For example, the sentry mode is somewhat like the extension of a driving recorder, but it is much more practical. For instance, after the car is locked, if an anonymous collision occurs, the 360-degree camera can capture the situation in all directions and then notify the car owner. Also, the car finding function has opened up another track, allowing remote activation of the 360-degree panoramic camera to take photos of the surroundings, interact through the APP, and then find the car.
You can see that after imagination is used, the 360-degree panoramic function is more than just used for full panorama image parking functions. Based on this refinement, although we did not discuss autonomous driving just now, we can still discuss automatic parking at the end. In specific situations and special populations, it is more useful than autonomous driving at this stage.
For example, car owners can park and unpark their vehicles with one click by using the APP. The required space in the horizontal direction (lateral parking) is the length of the car plus 0.8 meters. If the 0.8 meters are divided into front and rear distances, they are 0.4 meters. It is not a problem for experienced drivers, but can solve quite a few problems for new female drivers, and has much broader parking conditions than many models on the market.
Meeting higher difficulty scene requirements is due to the narrow beam technology of the ultrasonic radar carried by the NETA U Pro, which has a higher limit and thus enhanced practicality. Therefore, although variety is always a good thing, it is more practical to deepen the development of technology.
Summary
Nowadays, traditional fuel vehicles are also striving in the direction of intelligent technology. Both sides have consensus but seek common ground while reserving their differences. It is premature to talk about complete replacement, but the NETA U Pro’s breakthrough, especially in getting rid of range anxiety, has its own characteristics in intelligent technology, which are not stereotypical. Traditional indicators such as chassis, space, and workmanship also have the generosity familiar to independent models, making it a relatively routine description of a powerful intelligent and new energy vehicle that can harden fuel products.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.