On June 24, 2025, at 18:00, Great Wall Automobile held the first session of the “Hi4 Talk” series, capturing the attention of numerous car enthusiasts. The event was hosted by the Bilibili influencer “Bodyguard’s Garage” and featured a discussion about the Hi4 technology system with Great Wall Automobile’s CTO Weixiao Wu and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Center Chao Wang. The Hi4 technology is an intelligent four-wheel-drive hybrid system introduced by Great Wall Automobile, aimed at providing hybrid solutions for various models and driving scenarios.
At the heart of the Hi4 technology system is its intelligent four-wheel-drive hybrid architecture, where H stands for Hybrid, i represents Intelligent, and 4 signifies Four-wheel-drive. Great Wall Automobile has developed several versions of Hi4 technology to meet diverse customer needs, including Hi4 for mid-sized cars, Hi4 Performance for larger vehicles, Hi4-Z for all-terrain vehicles, Hi4-T for heavy off-road vehicles, and Hi4-G tailored for heavy trucks. “Bodyguard’s Garage” posed a critical question: why doesn’t Great Wall Automobile opt for range-extending technology? In response, Chao Wang explained that range-extension is essentially a mode of Hi4, but Hi4 includes an engine direct-drive mode, which is more economical and efficient in medium to high-speed scenarios.
Weixiao Wu noted that in extreme conditions such as high-speed lane changes and sudden evasive maneuvers, Hi4 can fully leverage the synergy between the quick response of the electric motor and the efficient drive of the engine. Moreover, the reliability of Hi4 is also a key focus. Wu referenced the insights of Xiaofeng Chen, Chief Scientist in Powertrain at Great Wall Automobile, highlighting that Hi4’s multiple modes contribute to its durability. In the Dongchedi winter test earlier this year, the new Wei brand Lanshan equipped with Hi4 Performance claimed double titles: first in the “North American Extreme Endurance Challenge” and first in lap timing for SUVs at the “Nordic Extreme Ice and Snow Rally.”
Through the innovation of Hi4 technology, Great Wall Automobile has reduced the cost and energy consumption of four-wheel-drive vehicles while enhancing travel safety.
This article is a translation by AI of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.