Nowadays, Internet companies are full of “overachievers”. In a fast-paced work environment, once you slack off, someone else will ruthlessly surpass you. This is certainly not a good example of benign competition, but there is a type of achievement that car enthusiasts are all delighted to see – the circuit lap time leaderboard.
Two weeks ago, the IM L7 SP Performance Edition was still at the top of the Zhejiang Circuit lap time leaderboard with a time of 1 minute 42 seconds and 212 milliseconds, surpassing the AMG EQS and Porsche Taycan Turbo S, and becoming the “fastest mass-produced electric car in Zhejiang” on October 24.
However, in the blink of an eye, the Audi RS E-Tron GT surpassed the IM L7 SP Performance Edition with a time of 1 minute 41 seconds and 693 milliseconds to take the top spot.
At that time, I said: the circuit lap time leaderboard is a “dark forest”, and records created today may be broken tomorrow. But in any case, the fact that a Chinese brand can compete with the RS E-Tron GT is satisfying. The IM L7 Snake Performance still holds the title of the fastest Chinese brand on the leaderboard.
Let’s take a look at the price of the IM L7 SP Performance Edition: the two versions are priced at 478,800 and 578,800 yuan, respectively. The 478,800 yuan version started accepting orders on November 1st, while the 578,800 yuan version has a limited time and quantity for ordering.
# In the case of significant differences in brand volume, it is admirable that IM, a new force brand that burns money everywhere, is willing to make efforts in driving and control. We also had the opportunity to dynamically test drive this car at the Shanghai Tianma Circuit as soon as possible.
Get closer and see that it is indeed cool
Starting with the static view, the addition of matte paint makes the IM L7 SP Performance Edition look more fierce at first glance. The deep color also creates a sense of restrained yet high-profile conflict.
The sickle-shaped headlights are emphasized against the black body, making the car look more harmonious than the regular version.
On the side of the car, the addition of matte paint does not cover up all the details of the body like a pure black body would. The shadows of the IM L7 SP Performance Edition’s waistline and side contours are clearly delineated.
In terms of suspension, the IM L7 SP Performance Edition is equipped with Öhlins shock absorbers. The soft and hard, high and low adjustable shock absorbers can increase the damping by 20%-50%. Compared to the suspension of the regular version that considers comfort, this suspension is more focused on sports. Compared to the IM L7 regular version, the SP Performance Edition can lower the body posture by a maximum of 45 mm through the upgrade of the shock absorber, and the Lite version can lower it by 30 mm.
As the only part of the vehicle that comes into contact with the ground, tires cannot be taken lightly: the lightweight forged wheels with fine spokes, 20-inch performance version of IM L7 SP can reduce the weight of each wheel by 4.8 kg, and the reduction in unsprung mass contributes greatly to the handling performance improvement.
Moreover, the top-of-the-line model even comes with original semi-slick tires from Michelin: Cup 2R, with a width of terrifying 255mm and 305mm for the front and rear. As a comparison, the tire specification of Porsche 911 Carrera is 245mm for the front and 305mm for the rear.
In addition, the top configuration model does not miss out on large-size drilled and ventilated discs, LSD, front six rear four-piston calipers, and the combination has also increased the lateral grip limit G value of IM L7 SP performance version to 1.19 G. On the track, the powerful grip can give you an earlier exit time for each corner, 0.1 seconds faster for every corner, and 1 second faster for ten corners. Every second of improvement on the lap time chart is the result of details.
At the rear of the car, the complex lines of the Chery Smart L7 SP Performance Edition are also highlighted by the matte color of the body. The car paint shows a texture similar to skin texture. The through-type taillights are slightly upturned, echoing the bright bottom diffuser.
The frameless doors go well with this “performance kit”. The Chery Smart L7 regular version is already a “sporty style” among mid-to-large-sized sedans, and this combination is undoubtedly icing on the cake.
In terms of interior, the biggest highlight is that the Chery Smart L7 SP Performance Edition has a half-wrapped steering wheel, which is indeed more outstanding in visual effects than the regular version. However, since there is no adjustable steering ratio, the convenience of this steering wheel during low-speed driving will be affected.
The seat material is still semi-aniline leather, with a black color scheme, suede accents, and matte appearance that match with each other, completely different from the style of the white interior, enhancing the “cool” atmosphere.
Overall, the appearance of the IM L7 SP Performance Edition adopts a seemingly “low-key” matte gray color scheme. However, it is obviously not low-profile in style, with a low and sporty body curve, forged wheels, and exclusive subtle embellishments. As an original performance version model, such a design style is aggressive enough and has sufficient distinction from the regular version model.
Keep your distance, the venomous snake is out of its cage.Need to clarify that the Smart L7 SP Performance Edition will not be available for delivery until the first quarter of next year. The car we test drove at the Tianma Racetrack is the PT prototype car, and the appearance, interior and driving experience of the production version may differ.
On the track, let’s first talk about this Yoke steering wheel. As I said in the static part earlier, the Smart L7 SP Performance Edition did not add the corresponding variable steering ratio function after replacing the Yoke steering wheel, so it still feels a bit awkward at first, and it is also easy to lose traction in low-speed turns. However, the new Model S Yoke steering wheel also does not have a variable steering ratio, so it takes time to adapt.
As soon as you sit inside the car, the Smart L7 SP Performance Edition still feels familiar. But as soon as you start driving, you will feel the difference very clearly. Switching the driving mode to Sport, the pedal’s power output is not “light and airy”, the heavy foot feeling and gradual power output make you feel less pressure.
The steering of the Jac L7 SP Performance version deserves praise for its sharpness. After all, the hardware mentioned above is not to be underestimated. The road feedback is clearly transmitted to the driver’s hands, and the vehicle’s posture and lean angle are completely under control. However, the steering of this car is not as nervous as that of the Model 3P. If the Model 3P is a crazy mouse, then Jac L7 SP Performance version is indeed a silky attacking Black Mamba.
By using ultra-wide semi hot-melted tires, the lateral limit G-value of Jac L7 SP Performance version has been raised to 1.19 G. On the track, the powerful grip can enable the driver to make earlier exits from the corners. The most immediate feeling is the strong grip and four-wheel drive that make the car feel as if it’s being pressed onto the track. Although the car weighs over two tons, the battery pack in the belly does not feel like a burden. The whole car feels very light and agile in the corners, which is rare in electric cars.Upgrades to the power system are also crucial. The motor of the ijet L7 SP Performance Edition has been upgraded with a cooling system. Compared to the regular model, with a maximum power output of 425 kW, the SP Performance Edition can “overclock” to a maximum power output of 445 kW and achieve an acceleration time of 0.17 seconds faster at 3.7 seconds per 100 kilometers. To be honest, after driving electric cars with acceleration times of just over 3 seconds, I have become numb to the thrill of acceleration. What surprised me most about this car was the braking system.
After pushing the car around the track for a few laps, it was handed over to me when it was just beginning to warm up. The front and rear calipers with a 6:4 ratio, the large-diameter marked brake discs, and a firm and confident feel were all brought to a halt with a heavy foot on the brakes at the end of the straightaway, producing a violent “wall-crashing” sensation. And Endless brake pads can withstand heat fatigue well, and after several heavy brakes, the feeling is still solid and confident.
Conclusion
In my opinion, ijet is a brand that is obsessive. On top of creating a sufficient sense of luxury, they possess a determination to smash through the wall when it comes to handling. In the regular version of the car, the all-wheel-drive system, rear-wheel-drive-biased output characteristics, and the only rear-wheel steering setup in Chinese brands all embody this obsession with performance.
In addition to the handsome appearance, the performance of the ijet L7 SP Performance Edition on the Tianma circuit can be said to be at the top level of domestic electric cars. The ijet L7 SP Performance Edition possesses a quality that is rarely found on an electric car, a feeling of lightness.
In my opinion, the ijet L7 SP Performance Edition may not become a high-volume car model, but it does not diminish its significance – this car is the ijet brand’s totem. At the starting stage of new power brands, where money is spent lavishly, such dedication is heartening.
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.