HYCAN 007 Review: Surpassing Expectations in Endurance

If you know a thing or two about sportswear brands, you might take one look at HYCAN 007 and exclaim: And1?

I had the same feeling when I first saw their logo. We all relate new things to fragments of our memories.

Undeniably, a good logo can reflect the image of a company and its products. However, I firmly believe that whether it is a logo or a brand, it must be based on the product. Only when the product is exceptionally good, will users recognize it.

Apparently, as a new car manufacturer, HYCAN is still in the process of building brand recognition. Fortunately, it has the endorsement of GAC and NIO, giving it an initial boost.

So, how are the products delivered by this car maker created jointly by GAC and NIO? That’s what we’re going to talk about today.

At the beginning of this month, we got our hands on the HYCAN 007 TOP model. After testing and experiencing, I have summarized some of its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s get into it.

Endurance Exceeding Expectations

Currently, HYCAN 007 has three available models for pre-order.

They are the BASE version (subsidized price of 259,800 yuan), the PLUS version (subsidized price of 279,800 yuan), and the TOP version (subsidized price of 303,000 yuan). We received the TOP version, which is the highest configuration currently available for pre-order.

Here are the three electric and body parameters of HYCAN 007 TOP:

Endurance Test

When I received the car, I estimated that the high-speed endurance of the 007 should be about 400 km, which is considered normal.

So when planning the test route, I planned to depart from Fengjing Service Area with a full charge and head in the direction of Hangzhou, running at the speed limit the whole way. At Jinhua West Exit (G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway westward), I turned around and headed back to Zhuji Service Area, with a total distance of 412 km.

However, my colleague Chang Hao believed that 007’s endurance was more than that, so he planned a 500 km route. We made a bet to see whose prediction was more accurate, but neither of us won…

In the latter part of the test, the endurance of the 007 was higher than my initial expectations, but it did not reach Chang Hao’s expectations. Therefore, we chose to continue and turn back at the intersection of Longyou Interchange and 320 National Road.

The testing conditions are as follows: air conditioning at 22℃ with the 2nd gear wind, the temperature of the day is 26℃, tire pressure is 2.33 kpa, and there are 2 people in the car.

The actual test results show that after driving 434.3 km, the display of 007 showed a power loss of 590 km and the remaining display showed a range of 53 km. The average speed was 81 km/h and the comprehensive power loss ratio was 1:1.36.

It should be noted that in previous high-speed endurance tests, the average speed of our test vehicles was generally above 90 km/h, but this time the average speed dropped to 81 km/h.

The reason was that there were serious traffic jams on the opposite high-speed lane on the day of the test, which caused us to get off the highway after driving 320 km, and then return to the highway after driving 350 km, resulting in the reason for the lower average speed being the 30 km non-high-speed road section.

Through actual testing, 007’s high-speed endurance ability exceeded our expectations. Observing the power loss ratio curve, the beginning of 007’s performance was real, and the range from 0-100 km was very close to the NEDC range.

The power loss ratio in the middle and late stages is relatively linear, and there were almost no significant fluctuations. This indicates that the electronic control system of 007 was well-designed.

After we arrived at Zhuji service area, the display showed a remaining range of only 53 km. Based on the highest power loss ratio, we would not be able to reach the next service area (Xiaoshan service area). Therefore, the final result was fixed at 434.3 km.

Therefore, we also suggest that when driving on the highway, pay attention to judging whether the remaining range can reach the next service area. If not, try to leave the highway as soon as possible, or reserve rechargeable service areas when planning, otherwise it can be troublesome to run out of power on the highway.

Charging test

The battery capacity of 007 is 93 kWh, the peak charging power of the car-end is 98.3 kW, the peak charging current is 228A, and the time required for 10%-90% charging interval, which is most commonly used, is 60 minutes.

If there is an emergency and the charge level is from 10% to 50%, the displayed range of the 321 km can be achieved, and the charging time takes about 24 minutes.

Combining with the endurance test (estimated according to the remaining displayed range of 10%), it can run more than 170 km at high speed. If it is driving in the city, it can basically meet most usage scenarios.

Good driving experience and obvious assisted driving characteristics

Assisted driving is one of our focus points. Changan officially claims that 007 is equipped with L2+ intelligent assisted driving.

Regarding perception hardware, it matches with 4 millimeter-wave radars, 8 cameras and 12 ultrasonic radars. The assisted driving chip matches with the Mobileye EyeQ3.

In terms of functions, this assisted driving system of 007 achieves LKA lane keeping, APA automatic parking, ACC adaptive cruise control, city traffic congestion assistance, and driver fatigue monitoring.

In practical experience, 007 is stable enough to work on highways and ring roads, it can continue to drive in the center of the lane, and it will automatically reduce speed when encountering sharp turns on the outer ring of Shanghai.

However, when passing through some very curved ramps, the assisted driving of 007 exits very abruptly, even if the vehicle speed is reduced, it is difficult to pass.

For the most commonly used assisted driving scenarios, the performance of 007 is satisfactory. It can also be turned on during a heavy rainstorm and maintain for a long time.

However, there are a few areas in which 007 can be improved in terms of interaction experience.

Firstly, the assisted driving system does not prompt the driver when it exits. After feedback from Changan staff, they stated that they will improve it through OTA in the future.

Secondly, there is still room for improvement in the visualization of the assisted driving on the dashboard screen, which can currently display a maximum of two cars, and the lane markings cannot change with the lane curvature.

Thirdly, turning on the assisted driving still uses the traditional three-step method, which is ACC→LKA→SET-, which is also a problem faced by many traditional manufacturers currently.

In addition, 007 has not calibrated the following function of the traffic light, so it will automatically exit with the assistance of driving if there is a front car at the red/green light intersection and it needs to be taken over manually.007 is commendable, with its ability to park steadily in both vertical and parallel parking spots (5.8 meters wide), and its automatic parking assist system also enables it to effortlessly handle even those tricky 45-degree parking situations that puzzle many drivers.

Moreover, the driver fatigue monitoring system is considerate enough to display an interface on the dashboard and emit a warning sound to remind drivers to take a rest when they yawn or show other signs of drowsiness while driving. The system can be easily canceled by pressing the OK button on the steering wheel in case of a false alarm.

Overall, although the driving assistance system of 007 is slightly inferior to that of other models we have tested, such as the Ideal ONE and the NIO ES6, its skillful parking function elevates its performance to a higher level. Considering its price point, I still think the driving assistance system of 007 is quite impressive.

Regarding power, 007 adopts a front-wheel-drive layout and a maximum motor power of 150 kW and maximum torque of 350 N·m. According to our tests, 007 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.58 seconds, which is among the mainstream levels for this class of vehicles.

During the test drive, we observed that there was some wheel slip at the beginning of acceleration, but it was corrected instantly by the ESP system.

007 has five driving modes, including sport mode, comfort mode, eco mode, I-Pedal single-pedal mode, and extreme eco mode. The first three modes only differ slightly in terms of acceleration while not involving the energy recuperation function. The last two modes feature a stronger brake energy recuperation effect that can be felt when lifting the accelerator pedal after reaching the speed limit.

In extreme eco mode, the maximum speed is limited to 90 km/h, and some electrical functions in the vehicle will be turned off to maximize energy efficiency. Sport mode yields faster power responses but not a significant forward thrust when stepping on the accelerator pedal deeply. This kind of tuning can also be found on the latest Aion V SUV recently launched by GAC, indicating their intention to position these SUVs as comfortable family cars that offer a pleasant driving experience.Comfort mode and energy-saving mode need no introduction. As the driving mode progresses, the front-end response becomes more sluggish and the acceleration becomes more gentle, which is entirely oriented towards extending the mileage.

As for the braking performance, after our actual tests, the stopping distance for the 100-0 km/h of the 007 is 40.23 meters. Considering its curb weight of 2030 kg, this result is relatively satisfactory but not outstanding.

In terms of brake pedal feel, the 007 is quite impressive, with a reasonable balance between softness and hardness. The foot feeling and brake force release are also sufficiently linear.

Compared with its performance qualities, the steering feel of the 007 is relatively average, and the low-speed steering is not very linear.

As for drivers like me who prefer a heavier steering wheel, the steering feel of the 007 is indeed too light, and it is recommended that the official setting provides 2-3 different gears for users to choose from.

However, when it comes to my favorite mechanical qualities, it is the NVH and chassis of the 007.

First, let’s talk about NVH. Whether you’re driving in daily life or on the highway, the NVH performance of the 007 can provide you with satisfactory feedback. On the day of testing for the mileage, the driving speed was mostly between 100-120 km/h. When our colleagues and I were not chatting, we could only turn on the music to ease some awkwardness, because it was too quiet.

The other aspect is the chassis. It is very similar to the Aion V that I have driven before, and it can calmly filter out excess vibrations from rough or bumpy roads, providing you with the illusion of driving a German luxury car. It has a certain degree of toughness, but most of the adjustment leans towards comfort.

The in-car system still needs improvement, and a practical Wi-Fi hotspot.

The official positioning of the 007 is “smart and high-energy pure electric SUV”. The “smart” part not only reflects on the auxiliary driving, but also depends on the performance of the in-car system.

To match the “7” elements of the headlights, the central control screen of the 007 is also designed as a connected “7” shape. Among them, both the instrument panel screen and the central control screen are 12.3 inches, and the air conditioning control screen below is 10.1 inches.

The large screen in front of the steering wheel mainly displays the vehicle status and visualized auxiliary driving. The UI design is simple and minimalist, looking quite refreshing.

The icons of assisted driving and ACC, among others, seem a bit small. I prefer larger symbols that look more eye-catching.

The UI design of the center screen adopts the same minimalist style as the dashboard screen, and is very easy to operate and user-friendly. It is also very smooth to use.

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe left and right to access the “Music”, “Navigation”, “Selfie”, and “Screen Mirroring Guide Card” modules, which are similar to the task manager on a phone.

In terms of music, QQ Music is used, and you can also access different playlists without logging in. Himalaya software is also included, while local radio stations are retained.

Compared to the UI design of the dashboard screen, the quality of the graphics in the music module has improved significantly, and the functional modules are also very clear.

For maps, the car uses Gaode Maps. When you enter the map function, the interface presented is also very simple, and the functional modules on the edge of the screen also use a gradient design, showing a lot of attention to detail.

Like most Gaode Maps, it has many commonly used functions, such as “Home”, “Work”, “Favorites”, and “Avoiding Restricted Roads”. Interestingly, it also has a “Restroom” tag, indicating nearby restrooms.

Another interesting feature is the screen mirroring and selfie functions. The selfie function is similar to that of NIO, and in addition to regular entertainment, it is also a great tool for parents to keep an eye on their children in the back seat.

Screen mirroring is one of the highlights of the 007 car. You can mirror the functions with the screen mirroring icon on the bottom screen to the center screen. Currently, functions that can be mirrored include Bluetooth calls, driving records, weather, drones, and user manuals, making it quite fun to use.

007 has integrated more functions into the control center screen at the bottom, including air conditioning control, vehicle settings, and driving mode settings.You can quickly find the air conditioning control touch keys through the DOCK bar below, which is very convenient to use. By sliding the “Temperature Bar” on both sides, you can quickly adjust to the desired temperature. Similarly, the wind speed is also adjusted by sliding.

Other vehicle settings can also be quickly found on this screen, and the operation hierarchy is not too complicated. In most cases, you can find the relevant functions with a maximum of three levels. As mentioned above, the fatigue monitoring function can also be controlled through this screen if you want to turn it off.

Another feature is the 007 voice control system, which also includes a car-mounted robot named “Little CAN” similar to the NOMI of WEY. Some domestic car companies have made similar designs, but I believe that “Little CAN” has the second-best quality feel of only being inferior to NOMI among car-mounted robots.

In terms of voice recognition rate, “Little CAN” can basically recognize most functions. The recognition rate will decrease slightly in noisy environments. As the most intelligent part inside the car, “Little CAN” still has room for improvement in the future, and we also look forward to seeing more creativity.

In summary, thanks to its simple operating interface, 007’s car system is easy to use. Most functions can be fully familiarized within two to three minutes. Although some functions are not yet perfect, the basic functions can still meet most requirements.

We need to praise the WIFI hotspot sharing function of the car system, which supports multiple people to connect and is very user-friendly for users who go out traveling, especially for iPhone users who are experiencing weak signals.

Regarding the appearance, it is a matter of personal preference, so I will not comment too much on the appearance of 007. Those who like it will naturally like it.

Here, I will briefly talk about some highlights or unreasonable designs inside the car. Firstly and most importantly, as the title suggests, 007 has a hidden drawer installed in the back row, which surprised my colleague @Changhao first and then me, as if we hadn’t seen anything like it before.

The depth and width of the drawer are considerable, and it can be used to store snacks and other items. In short, it is very practical.

In addition, the space in the back is also very spacious. With his height of 177cm, Changhao can still have more than two fists of legroom and about one fist and two fingers of headroom even after adjusting to a comfortable sitting position in the front row.

Due to the large reclining angle of the back row, sitting in the back is basically a half-lying posture. Plus, the seats are relatively soft, which is friendly to long-distance travel.

In the front row, similar to Aion V, 007 has a large storage space under the center control. Female users who like to wear high heels can keep a pair of flat shoes as backup.

However, I’m not quite sure why there is no reserved cup holder position for 007’s center console. Normally, drinks can only be stored in the door panel storage compartment. A covered water bottle is okay, but if it’s a canned beverage, it’s easy to spill.

I tried several locations but still couldn’t solve this problem very well. All we can do is try to avoid buying canned or uncovered drinks.

What’s interesting is that after opening the trunk cover panel, you might think that there is a spare tire in the middle. However, it is actually a speaker…

Conclusion

To summarize the strengths and weaknesses of 007, the endurance of an electric car is a very important consideration for current car buyers.

The endurance of 007 is already in the upper-middle level of the market, coupled with a good charging speed, it can basically meet your needs for medium-to-long distance travel.

In addition, the mechanical handling qualities of 007, which are on par with joint venture models, are also a highlight, mainly due to the accumulation of Guangzhou Auto over the years.

It can be said that besides the need to strengthen its brand power, 007’s overall product strength is still quite competitive among its peers.

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.