On June 21, the release of the Ideal L9 sparked widespread discussions. Among the many highlights, the most noticeable ones are the ride comfort and the third-row seating experience that Ideal has been emphasizing.
As a family-oriented vehicle, from the Ideal ONE to the Ideal L9, they have been pursuing a “versatile model”, a car that can meet almost all family travel needs. With this in mind, the six-seater Ideal ONE created a sales miracle in 2021 with an average monthly sales volume of over 9,400 units.
However, even though Ideal is striving for a “versatile” vehicle, limitations in the third-row seating space, accessibility, and adjustability of the second row still exist due to structural constraints. According to feedback from our team, although the L9 is much larger than the Ideal ONE, the comfort level of the third-row seating still falls slightly short compared to MPVs.
If we summarize consumer demands roughly, we can say that what they desire is a new energy source, a lot of space, and comfortable second and third-row seating. With this in mind, instead of focusing on SUV models, why not consider a more spacious and comfortable MPV model?
Let’s take a look at the Roewe iMAX8 EV.
Comfort and Luxury are the Key
MPVs should also have exquisite exteriors
The Roewe iMAX8 EV’s exterior adopts the common design techniques of luxury MPVs: a large grille and chrome decorations, which create an imposing impression for the entire front of the vehicle. The chrome decorations placed on the grille add a sense of visual hierarchy to the front of the car. Moreover, this front design style is distinctive for the EV version.
One detail is that not all of the iMAX8 EV’s chrome grille decorations are made entirely of chrome. Instead, the designer adds chrome decorations on the basis of the piano baked paint color. In this way, the exaggerated feeling brought by the chrome is restrained, while the multi-face three-dimensional decorations will reflect light and shadow changes, avoiding the greasy appearance that would result from too much chrome or the monotony that would result from plain piano baked paint. The millimeter-wave radar is also hidden perfectly, with no sense of disharmony, which would be difficult to discern without careful observation.
Regarding the vehicle’s lights, the iMAX8 EV employs LED light strips and LED light sources to outline the front of the vehicle while also elongating the visual width. When illuminated, the light effect of the LED light strip crossing the center grille is very soft and delicate, giving a high-end feel.
The front face of the MPV model is usually quite flat, and designers need to put in efforts on the details to avoid monotony. In the lower part of the front of the Roewe iMAX8 EV, you will find the air inlet on both sides is quite chic. Although the EV model closes the opening to reduce wind resistance, the level of the entire front face is elevated through the folded angle decorative panel painted the same color as the car.
Starting from the top, the front part of Roewe iMAX8 EV has a continuous LED headlamp, a stretched large area grille, a decorative strip embellished with patterns at the bottom, and two air inlets on both sides. I can’t help but associate it with the image of “dragon head” in traditional mythology.
Moving on to the side of the car, the electric opening of the Roewe iMAX8 EV’s double-sided sliding doors, together with the privacy glass of the second and third-row windows, not only enhances the sense of luxury but also achieves the visual sensation of a “suspended roof”. The chrome-plated strips surrounding the ABC pillar slide down and become thicker around the D pillar, solving the problem that the MPV body side is prone to looking cumbersome. The pattern on the D-pillar trim is consistent with the pattern at the bottom of the front face, which is a nice little detail.
The 18-inch wheels feature a petal pattern and the combination of high-gloss black and aluminum alloy silver looks very exquisite. The flatness ratio of 60 also ensures driving comfort.
The rear of the Roewe iMAX8 EV is very recognizable, with a horizontally spanning chrome-plated strip and LED taillights in the style of the Roewe family. The area of the rear windshield is larger than that of other MPV models, which not only optimizes the visual perception of the rear but also improves the lighting of the third row. In response to the front face, the bottom of the rear of the car also uses chrome-plated strips for embellishment. In traditional MPV models, the chrome-plated strip at the rear is just a simple decorative piece pasted on, while the Roewe iMAX8 EV creates a prominent three-dimensional effect here.
The green “EV” label at the end of the text marks the unique identity of the pure electric version. Overall, although the appearance and fuel version of the Roewe iMAX8 EV have not undergone major changes, the use of details highlights the difference. In summary, the main theme of this appearance is “exquisite”. Of course, for an MPV, the riding experience is the main event.
Wonderful Seats
Gently sliding the side door, the electric door slowly opens. The advantages of the MPV model begin to show when getting on the car: compared with an SUV, the ground clearance of the Roewe iMAX8 EV allows me to get on the car in a very natural posture. And the moment I sat on the second-row seat, I couldn’t help but exclaim: it’s really comfortable.
This set of Nappa leather seats are filled with soft material in the front and more supportive foaming material in the back. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Roewe iMAX8 EV’s seat padding, leather feel and height are just right, and once you sit on it, your back is completely wrapped, just like a thick massage chair. Even the second-row seats of the lowest configuration model have such functions and comfort, making me look forward to how comfortable the aviation seats in the middle and high-end configurations will be.
As a regular customer of the Ideal ONE, I can objectively say that the seat comfort and leg support of the Roewe iMAX8 EV are better than those of the Ideal ONE. As we can see from the following data, the vehicle height of the Ideal ONE is 33mm lower than that of the Roewe iMAX8 EV, and it should be noted that the high chassis of the SUV also causes the Ideal ONE to lose part of the longitudinal space in the car. Therefore, the improvement of the Roewe iMAX8 EV in longitudinal space is more than the 33mm shown in the data.
Reflected in the car interior design, the sufficient longitudinal space of the car allows the seat height to be increased, thereby improving the thigh support. In a situation where the exterior size is similar to that of the Ideal ONE, the Roewe iMAX8 EV has significantly improved the sense of openness in the car interior space. With sufficient space, comfortable configuration is also a necessary basic skill for an MPV.The nearly flat platform and the 360mm slide rails allow the second-row seats to move back to a very rearward position. The second-row backrest of the Roewe iMAX8 EV supports 69 degrees of electric adjustment and the legrest supports a 64-degree range of adjustment. With aviation headrests, seat heating, ventilation and eight-point seat massage, the comfort configuration is indeed quite sufficient.
After enjoying the second-row space, I adjusted the second-row seats to the position for daily use and entered the third row from the aisle. Regarding the experience of sitting in the third row, I mainly want to share the following points:
First of all, the nearly flat platform and sufficient longitudinal space make the head space in the third row ample. At the same time, the seat cushion position is high enough, and there is no feeling of sitting on a small bench in the Roewe iMAX8 EV. Secondly, everywhere the elbows can touch is covered with soft materials, and the rear passengers also have their own speakers. Finally, the third-row seats of the Roewe iMAX8 EV also have a 10-degree backrest angle that can be adjusted and can move back and forth by 200mm. Under the condition of normal seating in the second row, the author with a height of 178cm sat down, and there was still a fist’s distance of legroom. The comfort of the third row of the Roewe iMAX8 EV can completely meet long-distance travel needs.
Compared with that, due to the structural limitations of SUVs, even though the ideal ONE has done a very good job of space optimization, its third row cannot cope with long-term seating. In addition, the Roewe iMAX8 EV has a 7-seat layout. With the opening of the three-child policy, let’s imagine such a travel scenario: three children, parents, and grandparents all travel together. The limitation of the six-seat SUV without an extra seat is beginning to show.
What other surprises are there?
After reading about the seated experience of the car, I would like to talk about a few interesting points of the Roewe iMAX8 EV.
First, there is the “magic bar” located in the position of the first-row armrest. The Roewe iMAX8 EV ingeniously adds a dual-temperature silent refrigerator from 3-55 degrees here, without occupying other spaces in the car. In the hot summer, bring a few bottles of sparkling water for the children, or warm up a cup of milk in winter, the car refrigerator is a configuration that greatly enhances the sense of happiness. And you should know that there are very few new cars priced at 300,000 RMB that are equipped with a car refrigerator. What’s more interesting is that the bottom of this “magic bar” has an electric sliding rail. If the second and third-row passengers need to use the refrigerator, they can simply control it through the voice assistant. Doesn’t it feel like having a robot assistant?In addition, the Roewe iMAX8 EV has also made great efforts in noise reduction in the car: a large area of the car is covered with thick sound insulation materials, and the carpet is made of thick PU material, which can also absorb some noise and vibration. The most cost-effective part is the glass of the Roewe iMAX8 EV: the front windshield is made of double-layer sound insulation glass, the front windows are made of 5mm laminated sound insulation glass, and the rear windows are made of 4mm laminated soundproof glass. In addition, the Michelin Primacy 4’s quiet tires also contribute to the overall quietness of the car.
For a pure electric MPV, safety and endurance are equally important
Since it is a pure electric vehicle, the three electric systems naturally cannot be ignored. Let’s take a look at the relevant parameters of the Roewe iMAX8 EV:
- Battery capacity of 90 kWh, CLTC working condition endurance is between 550-570 km depending on the model;
- Support fast charging, 5-80% charge time is 40 minutes, and 30-80% charge time is 30 minutes;
- Maximum motor power of 180 kW (245 PS), maximum torque of 350 N·m;
- Supports a maximum external discharge power of 2,200 W.
It is necessary to talk about the efforts of Roewe iMAX8 EV in battery safety.
Overall, at the level of individual battery cells, the Roewe iMAX8 EV mainly achieves the safety of individual battery cells through high-temperature-resistant cathodes, high-safety electrolytes, aviation-grade thermal resistance materials, high-demand production processes, etc. Specifically, the Roewe iMAX8 EV also uses additional “five-fold progressive protection”, referring to the following aspects:
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The first is to monitor the battery cell status, including battery cell voltage, temperature, and other information, in real-time for 24 hours through the cloud platform. On this cloud platform, Roewe can predict the battery cell status in advance through the model established based on hundreds of thousands of pure electric vehicles in the past;
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The second is to actively dissipate heat with maximum power when abnormal battery temperature is detected through the cloud platform;
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The third is the SAIC’s unique “lying battery cell layout”, in which battery cells are laid flat and each side of each battery cell has a heat-insulating plate. In this mode, each battery cell is isolated, and there is no possibility of heat propagation;
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The fourth is to use high-temperature ceramic flame-retardant materials to physically isolate the battery cells and between the battery cells, which also eliminates the possibility of heat propagation;
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The fifth is to design an automatic pressure relief and explosion-proof valve inside the battery pack, which can actively release pressure, release heat, and prevent gas injection. Even in the case of thermal runaway, the discharged smoke will not burn people or generate an open flame.Equipped with these safety measures, the probability of thermal runaway of the battery pack in Roewe iMAX8 EV has been reduced to zero. In addition, Roewe iMAX8 EV battery has achieved IP68 and IP69K waterproof ratings, making it risk-free even in urban waterlogging.
In terms of battery packaging strategy, the current mainstream strategy is the standardized module battery pack (CTM) technology. CTM assembles cells into modules, then multiple modules are assembled into a battery pack with the shell, and finally the battery pack is packaged on the vehicle. The existence of modules simplifies the technical requirements and assembly of battery packs, but the obvious drawback is that modules and shells occupy a large volume, resulting in low space utilization.
Roewe iMAX8 EV uses CTP (Cell To Pack) technology. Compared with CTM, CTP integrates cells directly into the battery pack without modules, reducing or eliminating the space occupied by battery modules, and integrates the battery pack into the vehicle floor as a part of the vehicle structure.
This form improves the volume utilization rate and reduces the number of parts. While reducing costs, it also provides more spacious seating space and longer range for the fixed-volume battery pack. Roewe iMAX8 EV’s 90 kWh large battery pack and excellent range of 550-570 km under CTLC conditions, are more than sufficient for urban driving or long-distance travel. Meanwhile, CTP technology almost does not intrude on the interior space.
In addition, pure electric drive brings excellent silence and effectively reduces operating costs for Roewe iMAX8 EV. With home charging available, the operating cost of Roewe iMAX8 EV approaches 5 RMB per 100 km, which is particularly cost-effective in the face of the rising oil prices.
The best proposition for a pure electric MPV or family car
According to the China Passenger Car Association’s statistics in 2021, all TOP 10 MPV models are either gasoline or hybrid models, in sharp contrast to the diversity of pure electric sedans and SUVs. Currently, aside from Roewe iMAX8 EV, there is no pure electric MPV in the current 300,000-yuan market.
The problem of high prices, weak power, and low configuration of Japanese hybrid MPVs has long been criticized, and the trend of rising oil prices also makes it difficult for other consumers. ROEWE iMAX8 EV seizes this pain point and enters the sub-market of pure electric MPVs priced at around 300,000 yuan.
Here’s another question: in the era of new energy, if you have a budget of 300,000 yuan for purchasing a family new energy vehicle, would you choose an SUV or an MPV?
In the first few years when most families had only one child, an SUV could indeed meet most of their travel needs. The higher ground clearance could also meet the demands for various driving scenarios. But with the opening up of the two-child and three-child policies and the upgrading of family consumption, an SUV is no longer perfect. The limitations of the car body structure mean that the third row of a six-seat SUV can only be used as an emergency seat, which cannot guarantee comfort for long-distance travel. Therefore, in 90% of cases, you are actually driving a four-seater car.
Nowadays, this problem is glaringly obvious to families, and the answer is self-evident. When they were young, men’s first dream car was a combination of beauty and power. They valued the fierce experience of acceleration and emphasized driving fun. After becoming the pillar of the whole family in middle age, they have to take care of the needs of the elderly, children, and loved ones. Family-oriented men are more willing to pay for the ideal life of the whole family.
They hope to spend more time with their families and go on trips together to make family travel more comfortable and convenient. This is the key demand of family-oriented men when buying a car.
In comparison, a seven-seat MPV with a large space can bring the three generations of a large family together for a trip. The abundant seats allow the whole family to stretch freely. Even on long journeys, the comfortable experience of sitting in the third row will make family members enjoy the journey rather than being tortured by a “small stool”. When grandparents play with their grandchildren and the whole family enjoys themselves, this is the greatest happiness of family travel and also the ultimate mission of a car.
In addition, the excellent second-row seating comfort and spaciousness of the ROEWE iMAX8 EV are difficult for an SUV to achieve. Coupled with features such as the “Magic Bar” refrigerator, seat ventilation/heating/massage, and electric leg rest, this car is almost a jack of all trades: it can provide a very relaxing experience for family use and is also no less than an executive luxury car for business receptions.
Finally, let’s imagine that the ROEWE iMAX8 EV also has a decent trunk storage space and a 2,200W external discharge power. During the holidays, you can comfortably take your family or friends for a wilderness camping trip, temporarily escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can set up a tent and cook hot pot on an induction cooker. How wonderful is that!
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.