Author: Tian Hui

Broad Auto’s bragging has come true.

On the evening of January 5th, the AION LX Plus from Broad Auto’s AIWAYS was released. Four configurations were launched, with the top-of-the-line model boasting a range of 1000 kilometers. In terms of driver assistance functions, the AION LX Plus offers the 80D Max version, which comes with laser radar and automatic driving computing power of up to 200TOPS.

On January 15th, 2021, Ancient Kui-Nan, the general manager of Broad Auto’s AIWAYS, stated at the Hundred People Forum that the company’s electric vehicles with a range of 1000 kilometers are expected to be gradually mass-produced within the year.

Now, Broad Auto has fulfilled its promise. In mid-November 2021, the AION LX Plus 1000-kilometer version made its debut, and on January 5th, it was officially launched, living up to its word.

In the discussions among the industry and consumers regarding the 1000-kilometer range, one answer has emerged with the release of the AION LX Plus.

Sponge-Silicon Negative Electrode Plate Battery Technology

144.4 kWh is the power battery capacity of the AION LX Plus 1000-kilometer range version, with the CLTC working range reaching 1008 kilometers.

Such a high power battery capacity poses significant challenges to the energy density and safety of the power battery.

Broad Auto’s AIWAYS has pioneered the Sponge-Silicon Negative Electrode Plate Battery Technology in response. The technology is named “sponge” because the silicon negative electrode inside the battery is soft and elastic like a sponge, which limits and cushions the expansion and contraction of the silicon during the charging and discharging process and keeps it from breaking. At the same time, it also enables the silicon negative electrode to store more energy by acting like a sponge that absorbs water.

This battery also has nearly 50 patented technologies, including “nano-combined silicon technology,” “self-repairing adhesive technology,” and “gradient composite coating technology.”

The nano-combined silicon technology keeps the silicon particles intact during expansion and contraction.

The self-repairing adhesive technology allows the electrode sheet to repair the damaged area during expansion and contraction.

The gradient composite coating technology enhances the bond between the electrode sheet and the foil, suppressing the expansion of the electrode sheet.Thanks to sponge silicon negative electrode battery technology, the AION LX Plus battery pack achieves an energy density of over 205Wh/kg and a total energy of 144.4kWh, providing a range of 1008km. The volume and weight of the power battery unit are reduced by 20% and 14% respectively with the sponge silicon negative electrode battery technology under the same amount of electricity.

Lidar + 200TOPS Computing Power

Without Lidar, it’s hard to call a car a luxury intelligent vehicle in 2022.

Most configuration versions of the GAC AION LX Plus exceed RMB 300,000, which has entered the luxury car market. Without Lidar, it cannot meet consumer demand.

Therefore, in terms of intelligent driving assistance, GAC AION LX Plus spares no effort. In the 80Dmax version priced at RMB 409,600, there are three second-generation intelligent variable-focus Lidar sensors, and the total number of intelligent sensing hardware on the vehicle reaches up to 35, including:

3 Lidars
6 high-precision millimeter wave radars
12 ultrasonic sensors
4 surround-view cameras
8 intelligent driving high-definition cameras
Capacitive (HOD) steering wheel
High-precision positioning unit

The combination of three second-generation Lidars has a 300° cross-overlapping field of view, as well as dynamic adjustment of environmental perception refresh rate of 10-30Hz and dynamic adjustment of vertical resolution of 0.2-0.05°. In daily use, the perception field of view of AION LX Plus is wider, the perception reaction speed is faster, and it can accurately identify small obstacles at long distances.

In terms of intelligent driving computing platform, the high computing power driving computing platform adopted by the AION LX Plus 80D Max version has a total computing power of 200TOPS.

In terms of software, AION LX Plus can support ADiGo 4.0 intelligent driving assistance system, which has NDA intelligent navigation assistance functions for both highway and urban roads, achieving full coverage of high-speed and urban areas.

In terms of parking assistance, the AION LX Plus 80D flagship version and 80D Max version also support HAVP ultra-long distance memory parking, PAVP high-precision map autonomous parking, and interfloor parking functions.

Aesthetic Evolution Upgrade

The interior and exterior of AION LX Plus have also undergone evolutionary upgrades.

AION LX Plus has added a “Morning Star” white-themed interior design to cater to the preferences of urban new elites. According to official sources, the design is inspired by the scene where the morning star rises in the morning sky, “with a purple sky and a bright white morning star”.

In terms of interior material and configuration, the AION LX Plus is equipped with Nappa leather seats, second-row seats with leg rests, and a 10-speaker Alpine master-level specially calibrated sound system and other luxury configurations.

In terms of human-machine interaction, the AION LX Plus is equipped with a 15.6-inch high-definition central control screen and the latest ADiGO 4.0 intelligent connectivity system, which adds voice-controlled driving mode, energy recovery, vehicle control, and other functions, significantly improving the human-machine interaction experience. At the same time, the new car also upgrades to include IBCM seamless start, a brand new AR real-scene navigation, and DMS+OMS cabin monitoring and other intelligent cabin functions.

In terms of exterior design, the AION LX Plus draws inspiration from “Star Ark” and uses “Stormy Plasticity” design language to achieve a perfect fusion of dynamic posture, large space, and ultra-low wind resistance.

In terms of exterior color matching, two fashionable body colors, Sky Gray and Pulse Blue, have been added. It is noteworthy that the Sky Gray colored body can present different colors under different lighting angles, showing color changes with the light.

Launching Pay-for-Value-Added Services

Service is a standard configuration for luxury cars.

With the launch of the AION LX Plus, GAC Aion has also introduced multiple services and provided pay-for-service package purchases to consumers.

In terms of basic services, the AION LX Plus provides many lifelong free services, including lifelong free quality assurance for the “Big Three” (vehicle, battery, electronic control) and the entire vehicle, as well as lifelong free basic maintenance, allowing consumers to have a worry-free driving experience. In addition, the AION LX Plus also provides lifelong free data traffic and free road rescue services, allowing car owners to have a more reassuring driving experience.

What is particularly special is that AION LX Plus also provides car owners with door-to-door smart driving private teaching services. Car owners can enjoy one-to-one teaching at home, and easily learn the usage of intelligent driving assistance systems, making travel more convenient.

On top of basic services, the AION LX Plus also introduces two pay-for-service packages for high-end consumers to provide a more premium service experience.

A 1000-km range meets the needs but not necessities for everyone.

Is 1000 km range necessary?

For car manufacturers, it is obviously necessary. The launch of a 1000 km range vehicle model showcases the manufacturer’s technical capabilities.

However, for an individual consumer, a 1000 km range is not necessary for everyone and is destined to be a choice for a small number of people. Nevertheless, offering multiple range and advanced driver assistance options for consumers to choose from is a smart approach for manufacturers.

As demonstrated by the AION LX Plus from GAC Aion, which boasts a 1000 km range but is not solely focused on this feature, providing multiple range and advanced driver assistance versions to meet the needs of different consumers is the way to go.

While GAC Aion is not fixated on offering the richest configuration for their 1000 km range vehicle model, which is also the most expensive version, they understand that for daily usage, a vehicle with long range or super-long range can provide a better driving experience, but a high price can hinder the popularization of the 1000 km range model.

GAC Aion clearly understands this principle, which is why they offer higher levels of intelligent driver assistance and a standard range version of 650 km for consumers to choose from, despite emphasizing the 1000 km range in their AION LX Plus during the launch.

Therefore, there is now an answer to the question at the beginning about whether a 1000 km range is necessary.

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.