Author: Dolijun
In any industry, the phenomenon of “convergence” is always difficult to avoid, but in this case, the word “convergence” does not contain any negative meaning, and can also be said to be a trend of the current era. Taking the automotive industry as an example, facing changes in consumer demand, large screens and extended wheelbases are all trends in automotive design. However, there are also some automakers who not only want to stand at the forefront of the times, but also want to create unique and eye-catching vehicles in the sea of cars. And that’s where Changan Automobile comes in.
Undoubtedly, uniqueness is a highly sought after quality in any era. It is precisely due to the constant innovation of uniqueness that Changan Automobile has launched the UNI series models, relying on a unique borderless design that breaks the traditional grille form of cars, and creating an exclusive UNI series logo. The first model of the series, UNI-T, became a hot seller as soon as it was launched.
On March 28th, the second flagship model of the UNI series, the UNI-K, was officially launched with four models and a price range of 153,900 to 184,900 yuan. At the same time, multiple car buying incentives were provided to make it easier for consumers to buy this new car.
As another masterpiece of Changan Automobile’s upward brand, the Changan UNI-K is positioned as a mid-to-large sized SUV, targeting the high-end SUV market. So, what strengths does this new car have? Can it compete in the mid-to-large sized SUV market, which is dominated by joint venture brands? Let’s find out together.
Futuristic Design
It is believed that everyone is already aware of the uniqueness of the UNI series model’s exterior design. The Changan UNI-K also uses the new technology and intelligent aesthetics design language, with a borderless front grille that has a great visual impact. The hexagonal matrix extends from the logo to the surroundings, giving a strong sense of future technology. With the suspended satellite surround LED headlights, which not only have an advanced shape, but also have industry-leading spotlighting ability. Equipped with intelligent high and low beam adjustment and flow effect, it looks like a future technology product.
The side of the car adopts automatic sensing smooth-door handles that reduce wind resistance, while making the curves of the body more dynamic and tensile. The Excellence model comes with 20-inch wheels, while the Deluxe model comes with 21-inch wheels and Michelin MC6 high-performance sport tires. The rear of the car adopts a through-style taillight design, and is equipped with a popular high-mounted brake light. The tailpipes are designed with two sides and four exits, making the new car’s tail full of a sense of technology and motion.
Outstanding Space PerformanceIn terms of size, the length, width, and height of Changan UNI-K are 4865/1948/1690 (1700) mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2890 mm. Such dimensions are also advantageous among many mid-size SUVs, not only making the new car look more atmospheric but also providing more spacious interior space. Coupled with the design of the flat rear center platform, even if three people sit in the rear seats, it will not be crowded.
Regarding the seat design, both the driver’s and front passenger’s seats of Changan UNI-K adopt space-grade “zero-gravity” seats that support electric adjustment. Compared with many joint venture SUVs of the same class that require manual adjustment for the front passenger’s seat, Changan UNI-K is obviously more sincere.
Forward-looking technology is smarter
In terms of interior design and technology configuration, Changan UNI-K uses the new generation of future technology smart cockpit, which has a 3+1 four-screen interactive layout. The 3.5-inch screen on the left can display tire pressure and door opening and closing status, the 10.25-inch full LCD panel in the middle can display vehicle speed, time, AR real scene navigation, and the 9.2-inch screen on the right can display driving mode, engine speed, and other information. The 12.3-inch central control touch screen is equipped with the IMS intelligent cockpit interaction system, which can provide on-board exclusive greetings, active noise reduction for answering calls, automatic air exchange for smoking monitoring, screen lighting for eye contact, reminders for exiting from highways, and fatigue driving reminders, etc. Additionally, it is also equipped with the latest voice interaction system from iFlytek, which can not only voice-control daily practical functions such as navigation, air conditioning, windows, music, etc. but also realize multi-round dialogue, context recognition, and cross-scene recognition. Furthermore, Changan UNI-K also has the AR-enhanced real-scene instrument navigation function, making complex roads more clear and straightforward.
In terms of intelligent driving assistance, Changan UNI-K is equipped with the ACC-S&G stop-and-go adaptive cruise system, iACC full-speed intelligent cruise control system (with automatic speed reduction on bends), TSR speed limit recognition function, BSM lane change assistance system, BSD blind zone monitoring system, LCA lane change assistance function, CTW reverse lateral warning function, SEW door opening warning function, LDW lane departure warning function, FCW front collision warning function, AEB-C/I automatic emergency braking (vehicle identification), AEB-P automatic emergency braking (pedestrian identification) function, making driving and riding safer and further reducing the incidence of traffic accidents.### The Most Powerful Blue Whale Power Combination
For a mid-to-large-sized SUV, power is particularly important, otherwise it’s easy to feel like “a small horse pulling a big car”, which is one of the most important considerations for many consumers when buying such an SUV. Chang’an UNI-K has obviously thought it through for consumers. Equipped with the new Blue Whale D-series 2.0T engine, matched with an Aisin 8-speed automatic transmission, it has a maximum power of 233 horsepower and peak torque of 390 N.m. At the same time, it can output 350 N.m of torque at 1500 r/min, with faster low-speed response.
In addition, it is also equipped with a BorgWarner AWD all-wheel drive system, with TCU torque control function, which can switch between four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive at extreme speed according to vehicle dynamics and road conditions, with torque continuously and intelligently distributed from 0 to 100%, improving the vehicle’s passability and escape performance, making both urban and suburban travel more effortless.
UNI Planet Opens Up a Better Future Life
In addition to the launch of Chang’an UNI-K, Chang’an Automobile also showed consumers the UNI Planet experience space at the press conference, which is divided into five areas: design, modification, life, and sharing zones. UNI has created brand co-creation products from five dimensions of clothing, food, housing, transportation, and entertainment, which can fully meet users’ life needs. Users can exchange U coins for their favorite brand co-creation products through the Gravity App.
“Modification” is also an important part of the co-creation between UNI and users. At the press conference, a convertible UNI-T modified by a user was highly praised, and Chang’an Automobile also stated that if the order volume for this convertible modified model exceeds 1,000 units, Chang’an Automobile will make a corresponding mass production plan for consumers to choose within three months. This has made UNI fans more excited.
Said by Doraemon:With the official launch of Changan UNI-K and the landing of UNI’s future ecosystem, Changan Automotive has not only brought consumers a more powerful product lineup of UNI series, but also provided richer experiences in user interaction, co-creation, and life. From the product itself, Changan UNI-K has the hard power to challenge joint venture competitors and is well worth consumers’ purchase. We believe that with the help of Changan UNI-K, UNI’s market influence and competitiveness will be further enhanced, and it will inevitably help Changan Automotive to create a better future.
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.