This article is reproduced from the public account of autocarweekly
Author: Xue Yafu
2021 is definitely a year of technological innovation. With breakthroughs in battery technology and accelerated innovation in autonomous driving, and further exploration of AI intelligence and networking, the evolution of the automotive industry seems to be a community with only one focus – smart cars.
So this year’s auto show can truly be called “everyone on stage, each vying for attention”. This sense of expectation and freshness, it can be said, has been absent for too long. Compared with the monotony and boredom of the auto show in the past two years, I want to say that cars are much more attractive than girls.
The most sci-fi luxury electric vehicle: Mercedes Benz EQS
As the pioneer representative of this year’s auto show, the first impression of EQS is like a brilliant pearl, lighting up the entire starry sky once it is turned on.
When the inventor of the car seriously builds an electric car, the appearance of EQS is not intended to target anyone, but to become an industry benchmark that is difficult to surpass.
Although EQS is not the first pure electric model to enter the Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle market, as the first pure electric sedan, the technological significance of it is certainly worthy of the name of “S-Class”. Just imagine, the interior is fully covered with screens, and even the air conditioning vents are directly embedded in it. Not only that, the front passenger also has a separate screen as well. This is something that only Mercedes-Benz, who is good at interior design, dare to challenge.
Of course, EQS’s technology is much more than that. In terms of hardware strength for power batteries and autonomous driving, EQS throws out a series of data, such as 385 kW, 828 Nm and 770 kilometers. Even if we skip over the mystery of the appearance, there are still a large number of sensors hidden under its futuristic appearance, including lidar, mmWave radar and ultrasonic radar, and other hardware combinations. By combining high-precision maps, high-level autonomous driving technology can be achieved.
Never underestimate the strength of traditional manufacturers. It is not that they do not make electric cars, but once they do so seriously, it proves the saying: you only know who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.
The most practical seven-seat electric SUV: Volkswagen ID.6
Similarly, the Volkswagen ID series is also striving to open up new territory in the pure electric market.The previously released ID.4 has already allowed everyone to experience its interesting and stubborn side. At least before the release of MACH-E and Polestar 1, ID.4 was recognized as a traditional automaker model with the ability to hunt down Tesla. The war smoke has not really ignited yet. At this year’s Shanghai Auto Show, Volkswagen immediately launched the ID.6.
In fact, there are not many 7-seat pure electric SUVs on the market. Looking at the sub-segment of the same-class pure electric SUV market, the Ideal ONE (corresponding to 328,000 yuan), NIO ES8 (corresponding to 468,000-624,000 yuan), and Tesla Model Y (corresponding to 347,900-377,900 yuan) are basically benchmarked against the Highlander (239,800-325,800 yuan). Therefore, the remaining 300,000-350,000 yuan became a blank market, directly giving ID.6 an opportunity.
Moreover, large 6/7-seat SUVs themselves have flexible and variable space utilization and are particularly suitable for family use. Referring to the automaker’s own Touareg, with monthly sales of 5,000 units, there is a huge demand in the market.
Secondly, Volkswagen’s electric ambitions cannot be underestimated. In 2020, Volkswagen delivered 212,000 electrified models worldwide, of which 134,000 were pure electric vehicles. It is planned that by the end of 2023, Volkswagen will launch 8 ID models in the Chinese market. It is expected that by 2025, Volkswagen’s global production capacity of electric vehicles will reach 1.5 million units per year.
This corresponds to the saying that Volkswagen says, “You go to deal with Tesla, I just want to make money.”
The Most Technologically Advanced Electric Car: NIO ET7
Looking at the NIO ET7, the most topical automated driving sedan at the end of last year.
# Solid-State Batteries, LiDARs and High-Performance Computing Platforms: Key to the Second Half Transformation of the Automotive Industry
Almost every technology-driven automotive company hopes to take the lead in the field of autonomous driving through solid-state batteries, LiDARs, and high-performance computing platforms. It is therefore clear that autonomous driving will be the key period of transformation for the automotive industry, and that battery manufacturing and motors are just the basic requirements for producing electric cars. The highly intelligent integration ability and autonomous driving capability will determine the evolution of the automotive industry. NIO ET7 has taken the lead in this aspect.
The hardware that makes autonomous driving possible is LiDAR. Unlike millimeter-wave radars and video algorithms, LiDAR is less affected by weather and is well-suited for autonomous driving. However, due to its high cost and large size, many manufacturers are hesitant to consider this technology.
NIO ET7 is not a simple intelligent electric car (an extension of existing technologies). If this car can be successfully mass-produced and truly brought to the market, it will also play a leading role in encouraging other manufacturers.
The Most Efficient Autonomous Driving Sedan: IM L7
Of course, in the same market share, we cannot ignore IM L7, which is actually the closest intelligent pure electric car to autonomous driving.
First, let’s talk about hardware: a fusion perception solution with 12 high-definition vision cameras, 5 millimeter-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic radars can achieve full scene and ultra-long-distance perception of all road conditions.
Therefore, this car can currently be used for memory parking/summoning, automatic valet parking, traffic light recognition and automatic passage, anti-cut-in/automatic obstacle avoidance, automatic lane changing according to navigation path, overtaking, ramp entering/exiting, as well as Super Pilot, Traffic Jam Pilot, rear-end collision warning and other autonomous driving functions.
That is to say, when you return to your residence area in daily life, you can basically turn on the lazy mode and let the vehicle drive itself into the parking lot and park it. All you need to do is open the door, get off the car and go home.
In terms of performance, IM L7 is equipped with dual motors with a maximum power of 400 kW and a peak torque of 700 Nm, with an acceleration of 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. In the future, the highest endurance can approach 1000 kilometers, provided that the 115 kWh battery is upgraded.## The Sexiest Luxury Sports Coupe: SAIC Audi A7L
In the fun gasoline car sector, we cannot fail to mention the SAIC Audi A7L. In fact, which model would become the first one launched after SAIC Audi was established? The Audi A7 has always been the most discussed one.
For SAIC Audi, the “L” added to the rear emblem not only means an extended length, but also localized adjustments for Chinese consumers. Besides, this car has other highlights.
The pre-release edition is equipped with DAWS dynamic all-wheel steering technology (first used in the domestic version of an Audi model), which turns at speeds below 60km/h, and the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels to achieve a turn angle of up to ±5 degrees and greatly reduce the turning diameter (1.1 meters).
In scenarios where the speed is above 60 km/h, DAWS dynamic all-wheel steering technology allows the rear wheels to steer in coordination with the front wheels and can achieve a maximum of ±2 degrees.
The 3.0T V6 engine and the quattro ultra intelligent all-wheel drive system make up for the shortcomings of the imported A7. With the support of active air suspension and DAWS dynamic all-wheel steering system, the SAIC Audi A7L is undoubtedly the strongest domestically produced Audi.
The most anticipated SUV: the new generation of Highlander
At first glance, the new Highlander gives me the first impression of overseas luxury large-sized multi-seat models such as the Sienna and Alphard.
The all-new Highlander has become more sophisticated, refined, and stylish under the TNGA structure, which is visible. Of course, the current model is not bad either – at least compared to the previous generation, it is also a transformational level. However, compared to the current model, the all-new generation is more like 99-100. It has a familiar feel, but it is larger and more refined.
Although it seems to have changed little, as long as you compare it with other models in the same class and size, you would know that Toyota would not easily abandon such settings. After all, Highlander satisfies the luxurious, 7-seater, and spacious features, which are not possessed by its opponents.
The most revolutionary designed SUV: Roewe Whale
There were cats and dogs in front, cows and leopards in the back, and marine creatures were missing, but now Roewe Whale has arrived.
Design aesthetics are both subjective and objective. Looking back 10 years ago, SAIC was one of the few Chinese brands that started to innovate and design independently. Now, after more than ten years of development, SAIC Group, whether it’s Roewe or MG and other brands, has a good sense of the market and an understanding of real needs.
Therefore, without reading any promotional materials, just by examining Roewe Whale’s appearance, it can indeed bring a lot of visual impact subjectively, which may or may not be beautiful, but it has certainly deepened one’s impression.
In the classification of intelligent cars and personalized SUVs, Roewe launched a new car to enrich its product line. To some extent, it also reflects the understanding of young consumers. Sometimes design can indicate a lot of things.
The most explosive national movement car: GAC Trumpchi Shadow Leopard
This year’s Shanghai Auto Show was intriguing because many Chinese brands started to make waves. Let’s talk about GAC Trumpchi Shadow Leopard.
Everyone knows that this car model initially came from the EMPOW55 concept car at the Guangzhou Auto Show last November. At that time, it was unclear whether this car would represent Trumpchi’s future design language or whether the car would be mass-produced. After all, before this, GAC Trumpchi’s new car process was slow, except for the ES8. However, with the transformation of the automobile industry entering a critical period, the entire GAC Group is vigorously promoting the “EA” project. It seems that Trumpchi’s home-use products lacked some momentum in the past two years. Therefore, the transformation towards youth is urgent and necessary for GAC Trumpchi.
Undeniably, the GAC Trumpchi Yingbao is stunning. Its performance is explosive in the same price range, and its design has unique abilities. Moreover, we can see a trend in GAC Trumpchi Yingbao, which is the combination of good looks, outstanding performance, strong intelligence, and reasonable pricing. This will become a very powerful feature of Chinese brands in the market in the future.
Therefore, you will gradually find that the automotive industry is becoming more and more interesting.
The Coolest Chinese Brand Wagon: New Baojun Valli
Similarly, in the case of the New Baojun Valli, even before the car was officially released, there were a lot of activities initiated by the public and the official side, and young people are having fun together in different forms. Various modification cases also emerged one after another. New Baojun really understands what young people want.
Valli means “yearning” in Chinese, and its poetic name is full of longing for poetry and the far horizon, as well as the desire for beautiful scenery.
As a modified car owner, it is actually gratifying to see such changes. Cars are private items, and everyone hopes that they can be personalized. Cars should not be homogeneous products, they should be full of personality and become a bright scenery line on the road.
From this point of view, our automotive industry is beginning to become interesting.
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.