The all-new third-generation Roewe RX5 series is set to launch its pre-sale in June, and the hybrid technology of the eRX5 was revealed on May 26.
Different from the current self-owned brands that are pushing out double-motor series-parallel schemes, the all-new third-generation Roewe eRX5 hybrid technology adopts a plan of a single-motor ten-gear gearbox.
The entire hybrid system uses the new generation GS61 1.5T direct-injection engine with a turbo and electronic drive unit (EDU) G2 Plus, with a maximum power of 432 horsepower and a maximum comprehensive torque of 570N·m, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds, and single-person test being as low as 5.9 seconds. According to Roewe engineers, the vehicle is equipped with a 12.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, and its pure electric range is up to 61 km according to NEDC testing standards, with a comprehensive fuel consumption rate of NEDC 4.8 L/100km.
Power
The entire hybrid power system has relatively impressive power performance. As for the engine, Roewe uses the new generation GS61 1.5T engine with a maximum power of 138 kW and a torque of 300 N·m.
As for the electric motor, Roewe uses a high-performance permanent magnet synchronous motor with a new five-layer I-pin flat wire winding technology, with a maximum power of 180 kW, maximum torque of 270N·m, maximum efficiency of 97\%, and a motor maximum speed of 16,000 rpm. Roughly speaking, this motor power level is roughly equivalent to the main stream 2.0T engine’s power.
The motor uses oil cooling technology, which is the first mass-produced application among self-owned brands. The peak power duration of the oil cooling plan is 10 seconds more than that of the water cooling plan, almost doubling it.
Overall, the levels of the engine and electric motor are very high, with the system’s maximum comprehensive power reaching 318 kW and the maximum comprehensive torque of 570 N·m, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds, and a top speed of 200 km/h.
SmoothnessThe eRX5 hybrid system’s transmission system consists of the primary components of the electrically-controlled clutch system and the electrically-controlled selection and shifting mechanism, officially named the Super Electric Drive Unit (EDU) G2 Plus 2×5 Intelligent Transmission. With its innovative adaptive shifting technology, it mechanically uncouples the two-speed electric motor and the five-speed engine, enabling 10-speed shifting (2×5).
The electronically controlled clutch system, developed by SAIC and Germany’s Schaeffler, achieves first-rate hardware design standards, featuring high-precision torque modeling based on numerous parameters such as temperature, hysteresis, and speed, and noticeably improving the response time performance over traditional DCT. The electric shifting system can achieve intelligent coordination control of multiple gears under a gear interlock layout, completing the shift and mode switching in one step.
During the shifting process, the decrease in engine-side input torque is compensated by an increase in electric motor torque, maintaining constant torque on the wheel side throughout the entire shift process, which, coupled with the greater number of gear options, also brings about better NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) effects during high-speed operation.
Safety
The all-new third-generation Roewe eRX5 employs lithium iron phosphate batteries and new national standard acupuncture design to achieve “zero combustion” level; the battery pack design meets the most stringent international safety standards UL2580 requirements and passes eight key safety tests, achieving the highest civilian waterproof and dustproof rating of IP68. It is equipped with a “Super Escort” cooling system control to ensure that the system will activate the maximum power water cooling, ensuring battery safety even in the event of BMS failure.
An absorbing material is placed between the battery cells to compensate for any long-term expansion gaps of the cells, ensuring longer module life and safety.
The battery pack uses a molded battery under-tray to achieve lightweighting and improve overall structural stiffness, providing more protection for the battery cells in case of a collision. The overall safety performance is at a high level.
Economy
# The 3rd Generation Roewe eRX5 with Adjustable Energy Recovery and Driving Modes
The brand new 3rd generation Roewe eRX5 is equipped with adjustable energy recovery with three levels of intensity (low, medium, high) and two driving modes (economic and sport).
To be specific, thanks to the “IEM Intelligent Energy Management System”, which includes functions such as intelligent power system adjustment, intelligent electricity management, and intelligent HMI prompt, this hybrid SUV can achieve optimized fuel efficiency of 0.5-1 L/100 km and a range of over 1,050 km based on NEDC while ensuring excellent performance on the road.
For example, before departure, intelligent electricity management can be performed to recommend optimal routes, display routes with the lowest energy consumption, and achieve the best fuel and electricity utilization. During driving, the power response can be adjusted intelligently to improve the energy recovery efficiency of the system and driving convenience. After arrival, the travel summary can be completed intelligently to display “comprehensive mileage increase” and the reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
Final Thoughts
With the background of multiple independent brands adopting dual-motor series-parallel hybrid systems and receiving good market responses, the single-motor ten-speed hybrid solution from SAIC seems to be coming late and not very conforming. However, in fact, SAIC has been making efforts in the field of hybrid power early on. It has been almost ten years since SAIC launched the dual-motor hybrid system, making it one of the leaders in the self-owned brand hybrid field.
The hybrid system installed on the brand new 3rd generation Roewe eRX5 gives priority to power while also considering fuel economy to a certain extent. It has achieved excellent results in smoothness. However, the specific user experience, especially whether the fuel consumption can reach an excellent level, is expected to be shared with everyone after further testing.
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.