Author: CUO Meizong
Humans’ joy and sorrow are not the same, and adults’ breakdowns do not require an audience. What is the last straw that breaks your back?
I always thought I was a homebody, that staying indoors wouldn’t affect me. When I was quarantined at home, I watched variety shows, dramas, and read novels every day, played VR and ping-pong, feeling very happy. But now I am very frustrated and sad. I checked the calendar and realized that the last time I left Beijing was in September. As Spring Festival approaches, I still haven’t been able to grab a ticket to go home. I also have to drive for hours and cover hundreds of kilometers to help my boss deliver cars for three projects. Is life always this hard?
At this moment, the song “Leaving the Earth’s Surface” by Mayday rings in my ears. “The heart is pounding wildly, all worries forgotten in an instant. I left the earth, the earth left me, the higher I jump, the better.” Suddenly, a desire to run away fills my brain. When I relax, the world seems wide open.
I decided to leave. At 3 a.m., I got into a taxi heading to the airport, and at 6 a.m., I boarded a plane headed south. Hainan, here I come!
H-DOG Series
Lying on a beach chair by the beach, listening to the waves, and feeling the sea breeze, I felt very comfortable. What brought me here was the latest H-DOG series launched by Haval in early January, the Haval Big Dog 2nd generation with a hybrid system.
This is the third car in the Haval Dog series after the Cool Dog and Big Dog. At that time, I didn’t know the English name of this car was H-DOG, and people online were also talking about it. Some said it should be called Wild Dog, while others said since it’s a hybrid, why not call it Chuan’er (which means a type of food made of meat on skewers)? It was truly innovative.
As the name suggests, the second-generation Haval Big Dog (Da Gou) inherits the city SUV + light off-road positioning of its predecessors Kugou and Big Dog. However, while the second-generation Big Dog has increased in wheelbase and size, its appearance has relatively converged and added many fashion elements, making it better fit for city commuting.
The round headlights and taillights on the front echo each other, consisting of 92 LED lights. The traditional black wheel arches with bolts of the Haval Dog series highlight its off-road temperament, and the blue logo tells people its identity as a new energy plug-in hybrid. Looking at it from the side, the square car front is very powerful, and the upturned waistline makes the whole car look more forward-leaning, bringing a sense of eager to try sports. Perhaps this is also the reason why everyone thinks this car has a stronger wildness.
Due to the use of a 1.5T engine plus a two-gear DHT hybrid system, the performance of the second-generation Big Dog has greatly improved compared to its predecessors Kugou and Big Dog. The total power reaches 240kW and the total torque is 530N·m, reaching the power level of part of the 2.5T mid-sized SUV. Of course, even if the wheelbase of this car is upgraded, the 2810mm wheelbase still has a strong combat effectiveness.
I have previously experienced this hybrid system on the Haval H6 plug-in hybrid version. The most direct feeling after the experience is that it is a system that takes a very long time to measure fuel consumption and endurance. Haval announced at the second-generation Big Dog launch event that the NEDC standard pure electric endurance of this car is 105 kilometers, and the whole-car energy consumption under the WLTC standard is 5.52 liters per hundred kilometers, and the NEDC comprehensive endurance exceeds 1000 kilometers. Therefore, this is also a system that takes a very long time to measure fuel consumption and endurance.## Interior and Technology
With the intensifying competition of new energy vehicle models and the internal competition of intelligent systems for domestic vehicles, the Haval H6 EV SUV also utilizes the industry-leading vehicle-grade chip. The advanced chip naturally makes the entire car system very smooth, with a very responsive sliding effect.
The 9-inch HUD has an exclusive snow mode, which can make the white display of the ordinary mode appear in blue, making it more eye-catching in snowy scenes.
At the same time, the Haval H6 EV SUV is equipped with 12 ultrasonic radars, 2 millimeter-wave radars, and 5 cameras, which boasts Level 2 autonomous driving assistance, as well as 360-degree panoramas and transparent bottom view functions. It brings great help whether it is for off-road obstacle avoidance or daily commuting, and can greatly enhance driving confidence and reduce driving pressure.
However, it is slightly regrettable that the UI design style of the vehicle setting interface is somewhat outdated compared to that of new models.
Following the physical air conditioning buttons below the screen, the most attractive is the electronic shift lever with hardcore off-road temperament, and the seat ventilation buttons for the driver and front passenger are on both sides. The vacant position may be reserved for the lock of future high-end models.
Compared to the relatively pure black interior, I prefer this two-tone color scheme, which gives a more premium feel.
My friends who know me well know that I suffer from serious phone battery anxiety, so I pay a lot of attention to the charging ports in cars. The second-generation Haval Big Dog has an extremely powerful 50W wireless fast charging port, which is very surprising. However, at the same time, there is only one USB port in the front and one in the back, and they are both Type-A, which is a bit disappointing.
Consistent with the off-road temperament of its exterior, the interior of the second-generation Haval Big Dog also creates a strong off-road atmosphere. The groove on the top of the glove box can not only temporarily store items, but also become a grip handle for the front passenger when driving on bumpy roads, which is very practical.
Several off-road handles reinforced with rivets can withstand a maximum pulling force of 45kg, which not only looks off-road, but also improves the confidence and stability of the driver and passengers when encountering more difficult road conditions.
The four anchor points in the trunk are convenient for securing large luggage, protecting the vehicle and luggage during bumpy and winding mountain roads, and increasing safety in emergency braking and rear-end collisions.
It can be said that the entire car is labeled with “off-road” from the inside out.## Light Off-Road
As I sat in the car, the intense off-road atmosphere made me feel “armed and dangerous,” no, it’s actually “with reins in hand, I dare to bind the dragon,” and it made me even more excited about the day ahead to intimately connect with nature.
Soon, guided by second-generation Big Dog, we arrived in a beautiful mountain valley. Green mountains and clear waters, with tall grass and singing birds, it was truly good weather for outdoor camping and recreation.
After a short rest, driving the Haval second-generation Big Dog easily climbed a gravel and muddy road, passing through the rainforest. Throughout the driving process, I felt that the Haval second-generation Big Dog was very suitable for this kind of non-extreme “light” off-road scene, with a 24-degree approach angle, 30-degree departure angle, and a minimum ground clearance of 200 mm, giving it strong off-road capabilities, perfect for novice drivers like me to participate in weekend suburban self-driving and camping activities.
Similarly, the narrow and rugged roads provided a stage for the second-generation Big Dog to perform. The narrow roads showcased the practicality of the 360-degree surround view and transparent chassis, while the rough terrain highlighted its advantage of higher ground clearance. The electric power response and kinetic energy recovery during downhill driving brought a great driving experience.
Starting Again
After experiencing the close encounter with nature’s crossing journey, I returned to the steel and concrete forest of the city. Even though it was only a short two-day trip, it still felt like things have changed so much. The benefits of this trip were obvious: the rest by the beach and the crossing of the rainforest injected me with energy, making me face the busy reality world with full vitality.
With a 1,000 km range, it can meet 5 days of commuting needs, and its light off-road performance can satisfy 2 days of suburban self-driving and camping on the weekends. The plug-in hybrid brings 105 km of pure electric range. When you put all of these together, it is Haval’s declaration of “5+2+e,” a comfortable and wild car life.
Believing that Haval Second Generation Big Dog, a “commuting + light off-road” SUV, can meet the needs of many groups for personal presentation. The key to consumption is not owning goods, but self-display. You are not just choosing a car, but a way of life. Business or death, life is always struggling to gain meaning and strength.
The joys and sorrows of humans are not common, and the collapse of adults does not require an audience. When you feel overwhelmed, take the opportunity to rest, replenish your energy and start over.
Wish you can find your own lifestyle in the new year, and may you achieve success like a rabbit with money, and achieve grandeur like a rabbit!
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.