Writing: Liang Zhihao
The power of rumors should not be underestimated.
Despite the power outage affecting the Sichuan-Chongqing region, the Chengdu International Auto Show 2022 continued as scheduled today, as the first A-level auto exhibition in China this year. As a result, the show naturally became the main battleground for many automakers to release heavyweight new cars.
As the most popular automaker in China, BYD naturally didn’t miss this great opportunity for the auto show. Finally, their first mid-size SUV, the BYD Guardian 07, under their Ocean Network, unveiled its mystery as its first public appearance with the pre-sale price announced.
Ocean Aesthetic Design
Friends familiar with BYD should know that in order to play a combination punch, BYD’s product line is divided into two major sales networks: Ocean Network and Wangchao Network. While Wangchao Network follows a more traditional 4S store model, Ocean Network not only focuses on the new energy field from the start but also has different channels and marketing methods. Moreover, it will be more “new energy” style in terms of services.
As a new car under the Ocean Network, the mid-size SUV Guardian 07 adopts the “Ocean Aesthetic Design” of BYD in its design, with a similar style of running lights across the front grille as the Destroyer 05. Also, as a brand new model, the Guardian 07 uses BYD’s new LOGO, which makes the entire front appearance more international.
Like the Destroyer 05, we can also see some more rugged design elements on the Guardian 07, such as the sharp waistline and muscular front and rear wheel arches. The plastic protective strip at the bottom and the chrome trim inlaid on the rear bumper create a “diving” visual sense, and the dynamic presented on the entire side is stronger than that of the similarly sized Tang.
You may think that, like the relationship between the Destroyer 05 and the Qin, the all-new Guardian 07 is only a twin model of the Tang, but it’s not actually the case.
Firstly, in terms of overall size, the dimensions of the Huyue 07 will be more restrained compared to the Tang with a body size of 4820x1920x1750mm, which is smaller than the Tang’s by one circle (the Tang’s body length is 4870mm, width is 1950mm), however, both have a wheelbase of 2820mm. In addition, unlike the Tang’s three-row seating, according to the information currently known, the Huyue 07 may only provide a five-seater model for consumers to choose from.
Main Hybrid Power
In terms of power, the Huyue 07 and Tang both have two powertrain systems which respectively focus on fuel economy and strong power. Both are equipped with the self-developed 1.5T engine for plug-in hybrids made by BYD, with a maximum power output of 139 horsepower. Furthermore, the Huyue 07 will also offer two purely electric models, one with a range of 100 km and the other with a range of 200 km, to meet the needs of different consumers.
On the DM-i version, the maximum power output of the front electric motor is 197 horsepower. For the DM-p version, the double front and rear electric motors can release a maximum power output of 401 horsepower and accelerate the vehicle from 0 to 100km/h in under 4.7 seconds. It is unclear whether they will be releasing an all-electric version of the Huyue 07 and might have a plan in the future.
More Popular Choices?
After the craze of seven-seater cars faded away in the past two years, Chinese consumers have begun to realize that the third row seats in commonly sized or even larger SUVs have mediocre passenger comfort or utility. Consequently, various “forgotten” five-seater SUVs have been gaining popularity among consumers.
And the appearance of the Escort 07 is just filling the gap in BYD’s market. At the auto show, BYD also announced the pre-sale information of this new car, with a pre-sale price range of 220,000-280,000 yuan, and the new car will be launched as early as the fourth quarter of this year. It can be foreseen that it targets the niche area between the Song PLUS DM-i and the Tang DM-i, those who find the size of the Song PLUS not big enough, and think that the three rows of seats and large size of Tang are relatively mediocre, now have a better choice.
With the debut of Escort 07, BYD’s product matrix on the Ocean Network has also been basically completed– in the entry-level market, besides the popular Dolphin series and e2, BYD will also launch an A0-class electric small car in the near future. Then there are the Destroyer 05, Song PLUS series, Sealion series, and the newly launched Escort 07. Unconsciously, the richness of product selection on the Ocean Network is no worse than that of the Wangchao Network.
Of course, the reason why BYD dares to launch various finely divided models is mainly due to their strong sales performance in recent months, which has given them confidence. Unconsciously, BYD has become the sales champion among independent brands for multiple consecutive months.
And a rich variety of finely divided car models and strong word of mouth also ensures that they can attract enough customers. In this wave of new energy boom, BYD seems to be an invincible existence. After the Escort 07 is officially launched, perhaps we will see another BYD SUV become a frequent visitor on the monthly sales list.
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.