In recent years, the sales structure of new energy vehicles in China has generally shown a “dumbbell-shaped” trend. Looking at the overall camps, various brands often compete in the market for pure electric A00 level vehicles below 100,000 RMB and high-end pure electric vehicles above 300,000 RMB.
Last year, with the introduction of A-level vehicles by various manufacturers for around 150,000 RMB, the “dumbbell-shaped” sales structure began to be filled. Now, the mid-to-high-end market for 200,000 RMB has become the next breakthrough point to fill the market gap.
In mid-2022, four models, the Leapmotor C01, BYD HaiPao, Chang’an Shenlan C385, and NIO ES7, will successively enter the 200,000 RMB pure electric vehicle market.
On May 10th, Leapmotor C01 started this battle with a pre-sale price range of 180,000 to 270,000 RMB. At the same time, our community also launched a fierce discussion. Today, I will take you to see the differences between Leapmotor C01 and the other heavyweight competitors as a pioneer.
One Comfort Line and Three Sports Lines
In terms of appearance, the overall design of Leapmotor C01 continues the rounded and technological design of C11. Whether it’s the linked front and rear taillight group or the smooth curves on the body, you can see the shadow of C11. So at this point, Leapmotor finally has its own family design language.
This time, Leapmotor C01 has also made up for a small regret in C11 on the front face. The linked decorative strip on the front finally evolved into a linked light strip design in C01, which can also achieve more lighting language functions.
After inheriting the successful design of C11, as a sedan-style vehicle, C01 still has its unique highlights among its counterparts. Compared with BYD HaiPao, Chang’an Shenlan C385, and NIO ES7, which are all designed to pursue a sporty style, the posture of Leapmotor C01 is the most elegant. The competitors use more sharp lines to outline their sporty attributes.
Looking from the side view, it is not difficult to find that Leapmotor C01 has the longest body length among the four models. Its 5,050mm length is 200 mm longer than the other three models, and even exceeds the length of domestically extended Audi A6L and BMW 5 Series Li, which are both medium-to-large cars. Therefore, the wheelbase has also reached the largest in the field at 2,920 mm.
However, among the four cars, the C01 with the same wheelbase as the C11 does not have a significant advantage in terms of wheelbase. The wheelbase of the other three cars is also above the level of 2,900 mm.
From the side view, it can also be seen that the front and rear overhangs of the C01 are longer than those of the competitors, and there is no obvious short front overhang design like a rear-wheel drive car, so the body posture is not as sporty as the other three cars. The benefit is that the trunk space is increased. What makes me more curious is how much the front trunk space will improve after sacrificing the short front overhang design.
All four cars use the popular through-type taillights, and the difference is that the C01’s through-type light strip illuminates the English badge of “Leapmotor”, which has excellent recognition at night.
The taillight design of the C01 and C385 also strongly echoes the headlights. Among the four cars, the rear of the car with the most personality is undoubtedly the Changan Deep Blue C385. The unique tail wing and huge color diffuser give the Changan Deep Blue C385 a full sense of sports, but it also produces a slightly overdone feeling.
The BYD Dolphin also continues the family-style design, and the rear is similar to the newly modified Han. The low-profile design of the NETA S will also be favored by many consumers.
Looking at it from a 45-degree angle from behind, the streamlined design of the Leapmotor C01 reminds me of the coupe-like design of the Mercedes C Coupe, both of which have a similar elegant posture. I believe that everyone already has the answer in their hearts as to which car’s design is more in line with their aesthetic among the four cars.
Interior design continues its own style
Smart cockpit
In recent years, everyone has been pursuing the minimalist style in interior design. The method is to cancel a large number of physical buttons and stack screens on the center console. This seemingly simple operation actually poses a greater challenge to the design and aesthetic skills of various manufacturers.
From the interior pictures of the four cars that have been exposed, the overall interior design style of the ORA C01 continues to use the style of the C11, consisting of three large screens. In terms of the number of screens, the NIO ES8 Plus is the most abundant. In addition to the LCD instrument panel and central control, there is also a passenger entertainment screen and AR-HUD. Next is the ORA C01 without HUD, the Changan Blue C385 without the passenger screen, and the BYD Dolphin.
The entertainment screen is still very useful in practical experience. In daily life, when driving, it is very easy to create a sense of warmth in the family by playing TV dramas or animations for your wife, children or elders in the passenger seat. Even by selecting a song through the passenger screen or setting navigation, communication between people naturally occurs. On the C11, ORA comes with a wireless Bluetooth headset, and I don’t know if this feature will continue on the C01. In addition, the high-end model of the C01 has front seat heating, ventilation, and massage functions, making it a perfect first-class travel experience with a movie.
In terms of screen layout, the NIO ES8 Plus chooses a vertical layout, which is convenient for navigation, but when it comes to watching movies, the visual experience is even worse than an iPad, with large black borders top and bottom. It is imaginable how uncomfortable it is. Here, the BYD Dolphin has an advantage. The central control screen that can rotate horizontally and vertically can achieve both navigation and entertainment. I’m particularly curious about how it works when pushed hard.
The Changan Blue C385 places an electric motor in the screen, which can rotate left and right. Changan Blue calls this feature the Sunflower Screen, which is more convenient for the driver to operate when it leans towards the driver’s side, and provides a better entertainment experience for the passenger when it leans towards the passenger’s side. This feature is similar to the latest Tesla Model S.
An excellent cabin user experience not only requires outstanding screen visual effects but also crucial human-computer interaction. The fluidity of the car’s infotainment system is one of the most intuitive experiences for users. It’s pretty annoying when it takes forever to complete an operation, and it affects driving safety as well.
To share the R&D costs, the three large screens on the center control of Leapmotor C01 are shared with Leapmotor C11, so the infotainment chip used is also the mainstream Snapdragon 8155 infotainment chip.
For now, there is still room for optimization on the 8155 chip in C11’s default interface, which feels slightly sluggish in actual experience. However, it runs smoother on third-party software. We don’t know whether this issue can be further improved on C01 after delivery.
The good news is that according to the Leapmotor CEO Zhu Jiangming mentioned at the press conference, they will upgrade to the 8295 infotainment chip next year-end or early the following year to further enhance the infotainment experience.
Although the design of the three screens, even the air outlet, center console, and armrest box, is very similar to C11’s cabin, Leapmotor did not copy all of C11’s designs.
Carefully comparing them, C01 still has some minor differences from C11. For example, the way the car door opens has changed from an electronic button similar to Model 3 to an electronic unlock button like NIO ET7; the material and details of the center console cover are improved. Overall, the differences between the two cars are not significant. Many places, such as the air outlet, cup holder, and armrest box, can be recognized as an interior of Leapmotor at a glance.
Overall, all four cars have their own characteristics in the cabin. Leapmotor C01 with a passenger entertainment screen and NETA S do provide better care for members in the car, which is also a compensation for the vertical screen center control on NETA S. Changan Blue Whale C385’s sunflower screen is a unique design, and the addition of AR-HUD head-up display further improves the driving experience. Although the other three companies have not completely disclosed their cabin configurations, 2022 is an era where smooth infotainment and intelligent voice are at a basic level. Let’s look forward to the actual user experience after these four cars are officially delivered.
Rear SeatsFrom the currently released images, it can be seen that the NIO’s Zero Run C01 takes the best care of rear seat passengers, with rare configurations at this level such as the rear air pillows and power-adjustable boss seat in the rear row.
According to NIO’s official introduction, when the boss seat is moved forward 10 cm, the seat back will also tilt back 10 degrees, transforming the seating position from a sitting position to a semi-reclining position, which will be a blessing for passengers in this position.
In addition, the C01 rear row also has a small LCD control panel to realize the air conditioning zone operation, volume adjustment, and music switching functions. Looking at the control panel, there seems to be a control button similar to a sun visor on the left side, but no such function was found in the actual car, we can leave this small doubt to be verified in the actual car.
The actual effect diagram of the NETA S also shows that the LCD screen will be adopted in the rear row. However, from the actual experience of the ET7’s rear LCD screen, it is found that it is not very convenient to operate by setting an LCD screen at the air outlet of the air conditioner.
When the vehicle is in motion, you need to switch from a semi-reclining position to a bent over position to operate it, and you may be shaken during the clicking process as the vehicle is driven. In this regard, it would be more reasonable for traditional BBA to set operation buttons at the rear armrest or equip a small tablet.
After the battery was combined with the chassis using CTC technology, the Zero Run C01 theoretically could reduce the thickness of the vehicle body and improve the height of the interior space. Moreover, all four models are equipped with a glass roof to “steal space”, and the C01 has the highest body height among them, which theoretically guarantees a good headspace.
Judging from the thickness of the C01 cushions and the angle of the seat backs, it seems to be in a relatively comfortable state, and we look forward to verifying our guesses in actual experience.
After all four doors use electronic opening, the C01 also equipped with mechanical opening locks for all four doors. Even if the vehicle suffers a complete power outage, passengers can still open the doors using the mechanical method to ensure safety.
The wheelbase of the four cars is greater than 2,900 mm, which is at the same level as the extended 34C, so there is no need to worry too much about legroom. Deng Chenghao, CEO of Changan Shenlan, was able to easily cross his legs in the back seat while testing the C385’s space.
The rear seat space of NETA S has not been announced yet. From the interior image provided by the official website, it uses aviation headrests like Leapmotor C01, and the roof material is similar to suede or ultra-fine velvet. This material greatly improves the luxury feel of the whole car in terms of visual and tactile experience. I have a friend who buys Porsches, and even if it costs an extra 20,000 RMB, he chooses Alcantara fabric for the car roof. It’s still worth that for a car priced at 200,000 RMB.
It is worth mentioning that NETA S is also equipped with loudspeakers in the headrest, and the total number of speakers in the whole car reaches 21, providing a better experience for comfortable riding. Byton Dolphin is equipped with a B&W stereo system in its high-end models, which is equally impressive.
Of course, this also poses a higher challenge to the sound insulation of NETA S, Changan C385 and Leapmotor C01, where even the best sound quality is useless in poor sound insulation. This is just like how the sound quality experience of AirPods 3 on airplanes is not better than that of AirPods Pro.
Fortunately, the aerodynamic drag coefficients of these cars are relatively good, which is a guarantee for vehicle quietness. Among them, the drag coefficient of Byton Dolphin reaches 0.219 Cd, even 0.01 Cd lower than the Porsche Taycan.
In terms of comfort for the rear seats, as the Zero Run is the product with the largest wheelbase and the only vehicle with a length exceeding 5 meters, its rear seats should also be the best among these cars. In addition, the configuration of CTC technology + high body, boss seat, and rear independent control area makes the C01 stand out from its competitors in terms of the rear seats.
Performance configuration, everyone is on the same level
Endurance Performance
With an excellent drag coefficient, the Zero Run C01 has achieved excellent results in both endurance and power performance. Since most of the vehicle’s energy is used to overcome air resistance during high-speed driving, the C01 with a drag coefficient of 0.226 Cd can achieve a maximum CLTC range of 717 km with a 90 kWh battery. Of course, this is the result of the 200 kW single-motor rear-wheel drive version, and the 400 kW dual-motor version can achieve a maximum of CLTC 630 km, which is also a relatively good performance.
Currently, the Zero Run C01 offers 4 ranges: CLTC 500 km, 606 km, 717 km for single-motor versions, and CLTC 630 km for dual-motor versions. The expected battery capacities are 78.5 kWh and 90 kWh, and the 500 standard range version is expected to be equipped with a smaller battery pack.
From the data published by the other three competitors, the range will be divided into multiple versions according to the different power configurations. Generally, the maximum range of single-motor versions is up to 700 km, a number that could not have been thought of a few years ago. Now, even when facing winter depreciation, a relatively comfortable journey can be guaranteed with the improvement of motor efficiency, the increase in battery pack energy, and the reduction of drag coefficient.
Power Performance
The Zero Run C01 is not only the largest vehicle in the field, but also the fastest vehicle in terms of 0-100 km/h acceleration time according to the currently publicized data. The C01 uses self-developed motors from the C11, with a maximum power of 400 kW, a maximum torque of 720 N·m, and a fastest 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.66 seconds, a performance faster than that of the recently delivered NIO ET7.
When it comes to this point, I am a bit worried whether the chassis tuning of the C01 can handle such a powerful engine. Like the C11, the Lynk & Co Zero C01 also uses the front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension form, both of which are made of aluminum alloy. After seeing this, do you think that the C01 is worth the price?
However, after driving the C11 last year, I first felt that the steering feeling of the C11 was more inclined towards daily comfort, and the feeling of electronic power assist was also more obvious, lacking feedback from the road surface. Secondly, the chassis tuning is also softer and more stable, which will produce relatively large side tilt during intense driving. I hope that the handling tuning of the C01 can bring us more surprises.
Speaking of the parameters, both the BYD Dolphin and NIO ES8 have motor power exceeding 300 kW and acceleration to 100 km/h within 3 seconds. Both also use the front double wishbone suspension form. It’s unimaginable 5 years ago that a car priced at 200,000 yuan can achieve the level of RS, M, and even AMG cars.
The Changan Blue Whale C385 currently only has a rear motor with a power of 190 kW, and can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds with this parameter. It is expected to have more advantages in lightweight design. Even if the C01 with 200 kW motor, its acceleration time will still be 7-8 seconds. However, the Changan C385 may also launch a dual-motor four-wheel drive version in the future. It will be interesting to have a straight-line acceleration race between these four cars, and to see how durable they are with a few more comparisons.
Advanced Driver Assistance System
Advanced driver assistance system is also a key focus of China’s domestic brands. The C01 still uses the C11’s hardware and scheme for advanced driver assistance, equipped with two Lingxian 01 chips jointly developed with Dahua, with a total computing power of 8.4 TOPS. Matched with 28 perception hardware to complete 23 advanced driving assistance functions, including intelligent cruise assistance and high-speed assistance.# Comparison of Assistance Driving Capabilities of Four Electric Vehicles
For the specific assistance driving capabilities of the LINGPAI C01, we can refer to the already released LINGPAI C11. However, currently not all 23 assistance driving functions have been delivered to the users in C11. The automatic lane change and highway assistance are still in a testing phase. We can expect whether they will be available on the C01 and OTA to all C11 in September/October.
If we really want to compare the computing platforms, based on the known information, the Huawei MDC610 computing platform loaded on the NEzha S can be considered a leader among the four. With 200 TOPS of computing power and two lidars, it can provide stronger assistance driving capabilities.
BYD and Changan Shenlan have not yet disclosed their specific assistance driving information. BYD is expected to be equipped with DiPilot 4.0, and the Changan Shenlan C385 is expected to be equipped with 4D millimeter-wave radar to increase sensor clarity and recognition rate, and to enhance assistance driving capabilities. Changan Shenlan stated that it can achieve the highest L4 level assistance driving capability.
Facing the mainstream competitors in the 200,000 RMB level, the LINGPAI 01 jointly developed by LINGPAI and Dahua appears to be weaker. Last year, LINGPAI CEO Zhu Jiangming also stated that the LINGPAI 01 currently meets the computing power requirements of Dahua vision sensors and L2 assistance driving, but for L4 level assistance driving, third-party hardware platform must be chosen. At the C01 launch event, Zhu Jiangming mentioned that Orin-X chip will be used in 2024 to meet higher levels of assistance driving capabilities.
Conclusion
After comparing these four pure electric products entering the 200,000 RMB mid-to-high end market, it is not difficult to find that they have all brought out their latest technologies and capabilities to promote themselves, and to attract higher-level customers.
During the press conference, Lingzhi C01 targeted a wide range of users, including young people of two generations, middle-aged group with both elderly and young members, and people with business needs.
By comparing the configuration and design, it’s easy to see that Lingzhi C01 adds its business attributes through large space, boss key, suede roof, and four interior colors of green, gray, brown, and black, becoming a product that can be used for both business and home. Compared with three other models, BYD Dolphin, Changan Deep Blue C385, and NETA S, although they can compete with C01 in terms of configuration, the three models’ more sporty design will obviously be more favored by young consumers.
Actually, whether it’s Lingzhi C01, NETA S, BYD Dolphin from the Ocean series, or Changan’s newly established Deep Blue brand, they all try to change people’s traditional concept of these four brands by launching higher-priced and higher-positioned products, especially among young consumers.
Therefore, transformation becomes the key for these four brands in the marathon, and at the release conference of Lingzhi C01, its price between 180,000 to 270,000 yuan still showed a high performance-price ratio. With a starting price of 180,000 yuan, mid-range models priced between 230,000 to 240,000 yuan, and a top-spec model costing 270,000 yuan can attract consumers who pursue comprehensive features and enhance the company’s brand image.
As a contender in the 200,000 yuan pure electric vehicle market, Lingzhi C01 confidently claimed during the press conference that C01 would become the sales benchmark and value standard in the 150,000 to 300,000 yuan sedan market. We don’t know if C01’s presale price will affect the other three competitors’ pricing. At the same time, these four pure electric sedans will also face tough competition and strive for success against heavyweights such as the XPeng P7 and the Tesla Model 3 in the whole market.
After four hours of presales, Lingzhi C01 received 20,764 orders, partly due to the factor of “0 yuan deposit” and partly due to more and more consumers’ recognition of Lingzhi’s performance-price ratio strategy. After the other three models’ pricing is released, we believe that the competition in this subdivided market will be extremely fierce.
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.