China Auto Thread

[Yommie]

Li Auto Mega revealed new specs before the launch, everything you need to know about this MPV

Li Auto Mega will enter the Chinese market on March 1 with 500-kW charging capability and a price tag under 83,400 USD.

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Li Auto Mega revealed new specs before the launch, everything you need to know about this MPV​

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Denis Bobylev

February 26, 2024


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The Li Auto Mega electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) revealed new specs before the official launch scheduled for March 1. It will have several interior, suspension, and autonomous driving packages. The top-trim Mega will offer customers 2 Nvidia Orin chips, a Hesai LiDAR sensor, 3 screens inside, and dual-chamber air suspension.

Li Auto Mega autonomous driving​

The Mega’s entry-level autonomous driving system is called AD Pro. It features single Horizon Journey 5 chips. It powers 5 8-MP cameras, 1 2-MP camera, and 4 360-degree 3-MP cameras. This system supports Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) on highways, Lane Centering Control (LCC), automatic parking assist, AEB, and ELK functions.
The top-trim AD system is called AD Max. With this package, Li Mega has a pair of Nvidia Orin-X processors. Its perception system adds a Hesai LiDAR sensor and one more 8-MP camera in the front. Thanks to the enhanced hardware, the Mega supports Navigation on Autopilot both on highways and city roads. It also has an advanced AVP self-parking system. The icing on the cake is the advanced AEB system.

Li Auto Mega interior​

The standard package of the Li Auto Mega is called SS Pro. It includes two 15.7-inch 3K LCD screens in the center console powered by a Snapdragon 8295 chip, a monitor on the steering wheel, a heads-up display, an RGB+IR camera module, and a Dolby acoustic system.
The second option is called SS Max. It includes an additional 15.7-inch 3K LCD screen for the second and third-row passengers and a performance version of the Snapdragon 8295 chip. The top-trim package offers OLED screens instead of LCD and a 4D vibration system for the second-row passengers.
Recently, Li Auto disclosed more details about this MPV’s interior. It has a 2+2+3 seating arrangement. The second-row seats have 16 16-point massage functions, a 95-degree backrest reclining, and 500 mm of movement backward and forward.

Li Auto Mega suspension and noise insulation​

The Li Auto Mega has air suspension as standard. However, the entry-level car features a single-chamber air suspension and CDC continuous damping system. There is an advanced version with dual-chamber air suspension, which provides more driving comfort. However, these suspension variants both can automatically adjust ground clearance depending on the driving speed.
The Li Mega also has two noise insulation variants. The first one is called a “high-rank soundproof system”. It includes traditional conical-shaped insulation and aluminum insulation. The second package is called the “golden soundproof system”. It comprises Coscone soundproof solutions.

Li Auto Mega general information​

The Li Auto Mega is a large minivan with futuristic styling. Its dimensions are 4350/1965/1850 mm with a wheelbase of 3300 mm. Thanks to the streamlined exterior, the Mega has a drag coefficient of 0.215 Cd, which is better than the Porsche Taycan’s number. This minivan has two electric motors on board with a combined power of 400 kW. They are powered by a 102.7-kWh ternary NMC battery pack from CATL, good for 710 km of range. It can be charged with 500 kW DC.
The Li Auto Mega will enter the market on March 1. According to the brand’s officials, its price tag will be at most 600,000 yuan (83,400 USD).
Source: Weibo

 

[Yommie]

Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan debuts in Europe

Xiaomi targets 20 million users for its new electric vehicle, president says.

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Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan debuts in Europe​

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Jiri Opletal

February 26, 2024


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Xiaomi SU7 debuts in Europe at MWC 2024. Credit: Xiaomi

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Xiaomi’s first vehicle, the SU7 electric sedan, was unveiled today to the European audience for the first time. Xiaomi’s president, Lu Weibing, said in an interview that the company targets 20 million premium users for its new EV.

The Xiaomi SU7 didn’t have its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show, which started today, as automotive fans might think, but at the 2024 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, where Xiaomi, as a smartphone and consumer electronic giant, feels much more at home.
Xiaomi SU7 at MWC 2024.
However, the Geneva Motor Show wasn’t deprived of Chinese EV makers. The Xiaomi SU7 competitor IM launched its IM L6 premium sedan globally today. IM is a premium brand of state-owned SAIC, and its vehicles will come to Europe with an MG badge. SAIC takes the European market seriously, as it is the first time its EV had a public debut in Europe before China.

Crowds around Xiaomi SU7 at 2024 MWC.
Lu Weibing posted a photo of SU7 in Gulf Blue from MWC on his Weibo with a caption: “Xiaomi SU7 has been launched at the MWC. Is it cool?” Later, he gave an interview with CNBC, saying, “We think it’s a good starting point for us in the premium segment because we already have 20 million premium users in China based on the smartphone.”
Weibing also believes that in 10 or 20 years, the electric vehicle market will be similar to today’s smartphone market, with the top five brands accounting for about 70% of the market share. There are currently about 100 EV builders in China.
The SU7 was unveiled on December 27 in China. The EV sits on Xiaomi’s Modena platform and is slightly longer than the Porsche Taycan. The dimensions are 4997/1963/1455 mm (L/W/H), with a wheelbase of 3000 mm. The car has a sizeable 105-liter frunk and boot space with 517 liters.


It supports 800V charging and can add 220 km of CLTC range in 5 minutes. The Qilin NMC battery from CATL has a capacity of 101 kWh, providing a maximum range of 800 km.
AWD version has 495 kW of power and 838 Nm torque, suitable for 0-100 km/h acceleration in 2.78 seconds and 265 km/h top speed. According to Xiaomi, SU7 has the lowest drag coefficient among production vehicles, only 0.195 Cd.
You can add iPads or MiPads on the SU7’s rear seats. Credit: Xiaomi
Weibing also confirmed that the deliveries of SU7 will start in the second quarter of the year, and the pricing will be unveiled soon. Xiaomi was previously nervous about pricing rumors as the company is known for offering high-end smartphones and gadgets for low prices. The CEO, Lei Jun, even had to step in and tame fans’ passions and manage expectations regarding the price.
During the SU7 unveiling conference, Jun appealed to fans to stop trolling with price guesses around 99,000 yuan (14,000 USD) or 149,000 yuan (20,000 USD) and to show some respect for the technology SU7 offers. CarNewsChina expects the price to be between 200,000 yuan and 300,000 yuan (28,000 – 42,000 USD).
Xiaomi SU7 will compete with the Porsche Taycan, IM L6, and Tesla Model S.

 

[Yommie]

And a cuddly car: meet the Wuling Bingo Mickey Plush Style

Wuling Bingo Mickey Plush Style. Small Chinese EV becomes a cuddly car thanks to a furry wrap.

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And a cuddly car: meet the Wuling Bingo Mickey Plush Style​

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Mark Andrews

February 26, 2024


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Apparently April Fool’s Day has not come early to China this year, although Wuling has not yet commented on whether this version will go on official sale. If you ever wanted a cuddly car to take to bed as a kid your prayers have been answered now you’re an adult! Behold the Wuling Bingo “Mickey Plush Style.”

Wuling claim it is the world’s first plush car and the car is wrapped inside and out in furry material – that should at least give it one extra C-NCAP star! There’s even a pair of furry ears on the roof.
The Wuling Bingo is a small five door electric hatchback which launched last year. Wuling hoped to capitalize on the success of their Mini EV by producing something a bit bigger and more car like. List prices range from 59,800 yuan (8,300 USD) to 88,800 yuan (12,350 USD).

Much like with the cuteness factor of the Macaron version of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV the plush Bingo uses pastel colors – pink, blue and yellow – for the outside fluff. That fluff even extends to the wheels leading some Chinese netizens to quip whether the car needs to be dry cleaned rather than put through a car wash.
Plush treatment extends to the interior with the Wuling Bingo “Mickey Plush Style.” Largely pink inside there’s also some yellow and gray embellishments. Seeing as General Motors has 44% ownership of the Wuling joint venture we hope that the car has a license from Disney to use Mickey Mouse as seen on the headrest and in the name. At least some of the pictures have a Disney copyright logo so it looks like it is officially endorsed. The main owner of the JV is SAIC with 50.1% and the remainder actually belonging to Liuzhou, Guangxi Province, based Wuling.

The standard Wuling Bingo comes with a choice of a 30 kW or 50 kW front mounted motor. Range varies depending on battery back but it is available with ranges of 203 km, 333 km and 410 km. If the Mickey Plush Style version makes it to production these parameters will likely remain the same. Judging from the interior the target audience must be young women.

 

[Yommie]

IM L6 debuts at the Geneva Show

IM Motors L6 world premiere at Geneva Motor Show. Sleek Chinese electric sedan debut.

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IM L6 debuts at the Geneva Show​

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Mark Andrews

February 26, 2024


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Surprisingly IM Motors chose the Geneva Show to debut its forth model the L6 electric sedan. This however underlines the new commitment to take the brand’s offerings to Europe.

Due to go on sale at the end of the year the new mid-size all-electric sedan has an acceleration figure of under three seconds.
The design represents a clear evolution of IM’s existing design language. A closed front and sharp headlights help give pace to the front end. C-shaped deflector grooves and the narrow slatted trapezoidal air intakes give the car a more sporty look.


A family sized car it comes in with dimensions of length, width and height of 4931/1960/1474 mm respectively, and the wheelbase is 2950 mm. While a true four door sedan the steeply slanted panoramic roof gives a coupe like stance furthered by the raised wheel arch lines.
Inside the car is very similar to the IM LS6 with the instrument panel, center screen and passenger entertainment screen all flowing into one. Also apparent is a yoke type steering wheel. Other features such as the wireless phone charging pad and cup holders are also very similar to the LS6. So far spy shots have only shown the interior in a light-colored design.

The car will come in single and dual motor versions. Chinese sources claim the single-motor version, which should be rear wheel drive, will come with a 216 kW motor but the LS6 comes with a choice of 231 kW, 250 kW, or 379 kW. The dual motor L6 gets the same setup as in the LS6 with a 379 kW motor at the rear and 200 kW at the front. At launch it will come with a choice of a 90 kWh or 100 kWh battery packs. Ranges dependent on motor and battery combination are reportedly 700 km, 720 km, 750 km or 770 km all on the CLTC test cycle. However pictures from Geneva seem to indicate that range might be excess of 800 km.

IM Motors was founded in 2020 as a joint venture between SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech. The first model was the L7 sedan which went on sale in 2022 and has since been followed by the LS7 and LS6 SUVs.
We recently brought you the story that IM Motors would enter Europe and South America. While the cars will definitely use MG sales channels there is still some confusion as to whether they will be rebranded as MG cars or will keep the IM name. MG at Geneva showed the MG 9 and MG S9 both rebranded from Rising models but the IM L6 did not get this treatment.

 

[Yommie]

BYD’s YangWang U8 water-floating SUV debuts in Europe

YangWang is going overseas. Hopefully with different name.

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BYD’s YangWang U8 water-floating SUV debuts in Europe​

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Jiri Opletal

February 26, 2024


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YangWang U8 at 2024 Geneva Motor Show. Credit: Alejandro Pérez, CarNewsChina.es

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BYD brought its high-end brand YangWang to Europe, showcasing its first model, the hardcore SUV U9, to the public at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show. The U9 made headlines because of its capability to float on water and sail at 3km/h or do 360-degree tank turns. It is the most expensive car from BYD in mass production.

YangWang U8 was unveiled about a year ago, in January, and launched in September 2023 for 1,089 million yuan (150,000 USD). The deliveries started in December, and in January 2023, U8 delivered 1,652 units in China.
YangWang U8. Credit: BYD
The U8 is an AWD electric range extended vehicle (EREV). It means it has an ICE that works as a power generator for the battery but isn’t connected to the wheels. The LFP Blade battery has a 49.05 kWh capacity and provides a 180 km range. With a full battery and a 75-liter tank, the car can drive 1000 km without stopping.

U8 has four electric motors, each with 220 kW of power. The combined output is 880 kW (1,180 hp) and 1,280 Nm peak torque. The electric powertrain is mated with 2.0L turbo ICE, which can charge the battery or power the e-motors, but not directly wheels. Top speed is limited to 200 km/h, and 0-100 acceleration is 3.6 seconds.
The dimensions of U8 are (L/W/H) 5319/2050/1930 mm and a wheelbase of 3050 mm. The car sits on an e4 platform and is equipped with a Disus-P hydraulic body control system, which allows the vehicle to rise and lower up to 150 mm. Despite such enormous dimensions, it is only a 5-seater, not offering a third-row option. The gross weight is 3,985 kg, and the curb weight is 3,460 kg,
YangWang U8 at 2024 Geneva Motor Show. Credit: Alejandro Pérez, CarNewsChina.es
BYD also announced in September that YangWang U8 is coming to Brasil in May without providing any other details. In October, YangWang U8 made headlines when California Governor Gavin Newsom test-drive the car in China.

This week, YangWang launched its second car – the YangWang U9, for 1.69 million yuan (236,000 USD). Where U8 can sail on water, U9 can dance or jump. The BEV supercar started taking preorders for 300k yuan. Mass production will begin in Q2, and deliveries will be in mid-2024.
YangWang U8’s competitor in China is the Dongfeng M-Hero 917 or Hummer EV. In Europe, it would be the Mercedes Benz G-Wagon.

 

[Yommie]

SAIC amplifies MG model line with two high-end EVs from sister brand

MG 9 and MG S9 are based on Rising F7 and Rising R7, respectively. They will hit international markets, amplifying MG positions.

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SAIC amplifies MG model line with two high-end EVs from sister brand​

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Denis Bobylev

February 26, 2024


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Chinese SAIC-owned MG presented two high-end electric models at the Geneva Motor Show: the MG 9 liftback and the MG S9 fastback SUV. They are based on the F7 and R7 cars, available in the Chinese market under Rising marque, also owned by SAIC. Two models from the sister brand will help MG to enter the new market segment, boosting sales. It is also good for Rising, whose domestic sales volume is low.

MG is a former British brand currently owned by Chinese automotive giant SAIC Group. As the MG name is still well-known overseas, SAIC uses it as a driving force for its overseas sales. The Chinese automaker often rebadges its models to the MG brand. The recent examples are Wuling Air EV (MG Comet), Maxus T70 (MG Extender), Roewe Ei5 (MG 5), and Roewe Marvel R (MG Marvel R). Soon, two more models from the Rising brand will enhance the MG line in the overseas markets.

Rising was initially a series of electric vehicles under the SAIC-owned Roewe brand. In 2020, this series turned into an independent brand. Nowadays, its domestic model line comprises two models: the R7 fastback SUV and the F7 liftback. However, its sales volume is low in China. Last year, Rising barely sold 21,012 cars. For clarity, Xpeng delivered over 121,000 units, and Nio sold more than 160,000 EVs. The high price is the main reason for the low demand for Rising vehicles among Chinese customers. Recently, Rising joined the price war in China, offering discounts and revised trim levels of its cars.

Soon, Rising vehicles will hit overseas markets as a part of the MG brand. They will compete with other high-end electric cars, including Chinese Zeekr, Xpeng, Exlantix, and Nio.

Briefly on MG 9​

The MG 9 is a large electric liftback with sleek styling and a drag coefficient of 0.206 Cd. It is a rebadged Rising F7 that entered the Chinese market in March last year. It has thin running lights, retractable door handles, and a coupe-like body shape. Its dimensions are 5000/1953/1494 mm with a wheelbase of 3000 mm. For comparison, the MG 9 is 10 mm longer, 7 mm narrower, and 84 mm higher than the Audi e-tron GT.

Inside, the MG 9 has a screen resembling the Mercedes-Benz MBUX multimedia system. It isn’t a solid monitor but three screens under a glass panel. The instrument cluster has a diameter of 10.25 inches, the main screen offers 15.05 inches, and the front passenger monitor’s diameter is 12.3 inches. There is one more 8-inch screen for the rear passengers. The MG 9 has a D-shaped steering wheel with a gear shifter mounted behind it.


The powertrain of the MG 9 is likely similar to the Rising F7. Its entry-level variant has a single electric motor in the rear axle for 250 kW powered by a 64-kWh LFP battery, good for a 500 km CLTC range. The second version has the same e-motor mated with a 77-kWh ternary NMC pack for 602 km. There is also a long-range modification with a battery for 90 kWh and a range of 702 km. There is a 4WD performance variant with two electric motors for 400 kW and a 90 kWh battery for the 632 km range.
In China, the Rising F7 supports battery swap technology. According to official information, Rising-branded battery sap stations can switch batteries in 90 seconds. However, Rising has around 50 stations across China, which is clearly a miserable quantity compared to Nio, which has 2,375 PSS.
In China, the Rising F7 costs 189,900 – 309,900 yuan (26,390 – 43,050 USD). The price of the MG 9 for the European markets has yet to be released.

Briefly on MG S9​

The MG S9 is a mid-sized fastback crossover based on the latest variant of the Rising R7. Its front end looks similar to the MG 9 sedan. It also has a sleek roofline, frameless doors, and thin DRLs. The dimensions of the MG S9 are 4900/1925/1655 mm with a wheelbase of 2950 mm. For clarity, it is 149 mm longer, 4 mm wider, and 26 mm higher than the Tesla Model Y.

The interior of the MG S9 also has MBUX vibes with a triple-screen. But it additionally has an augmented reality heads-up display from Huawei. The MG S9 has RWD and 250 kW with 536 km LTP range. Its twin brother, Rising R7, has a single electric motor for 250 kW in the rear axle as standard. It is powered by a 77 kWh ternary NMC battery for a 570 km range (CLTC). There is also a long-range variant with a 90-kWh battery for a 670 km range. Previously, the Rising R7 had a 4WD version with 400 kWh and a 90 kWh battery for 606 km. However, it was discontinued due to a high price.
The Chinese price of the Rising R7 is 189,900 – 229,900 yuan (26,390 – 31,950 USD). The price of the MG S9 is unknown.
According to insider information, SAIC co-owned IM brand is also set to rebrand its models as MG for the European and South American markets.
Source: Weibo

 

[Yommie]

Hongqi EH7 EV sedan with 455 kW spotted in China ahead of launch

Hongqi EH7 is expected to hit the market later this year

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Hongqi EH7 EV sedan with 455 kW spotted in China ahead of launch​

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Adrian Leung

February 26, 2024


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Spy shots of the Hongqi EH7 offer a glimpse into the first new energy sedan based on Hongqi’s new FMEs architecture. The pictures were taken at a Changchun dealer in China. It has been speculated it will be released in both a battery-swapping version and a long-range fast-charging variant, with a maximum range of up to 800 kilometers. EH7 is expected to hit the market soon.


The electric vehicle is built on a chassis measuring 4980/1915/1490 mm, and a wheelbase of 3000 mm, with a curb weight of 2,254 kg and a mass of 2,704 kg.

The RWD version will be fitted with a 253 kW motor manufactured by FAW, with a ternary battery from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL). This version will be equipped with 245/50 R18 tires.

The AWD version also utilizes CATL’s ternary battery, paired with two motors – a 202 kW motor on the front axle and a 253 kW motor on the rear axle, both manufactured by FAW. This variant will include a choice between 245/45 R19 and 265/40 R19 tires. The car’s top speed is noted at 190 km/h.

Hongqi is also working on its fourth electric model, the EHS7. It is also based on the FMEs architecture. One may even call the EHS7 an EH7-cross. According to the previous information, the EHS7 will enter the Chinese market in March-April this year as Hongqi wants to keep up with the EV trend.
China First Automobile Works (FAW) declared that the Hongqi brand achieved a retail sales breakthrough of 370,000 units in 2023, indicating a year-on-year growth of 29.5%. Notably, the retail sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) surpassed 85,000 units, marking a remarkable year-on-year growth of 135%. The Hongqi H5 and Hongqi HS5 achieved annual sales exceeding 100,000 units, with a year-on-year growth of 40%.

Hongqi’s current lineup of new energy products includes the large SUV Hongqi E-HS9 and the midsize sedan E-QM5, both pure electric models.
It is worth noting that Hongqi independently developed an electric prototype vehicle that achieved a braking distance of 29.68 meters per 100 kilometers at the Hainan Qionghai test track late last year, setting a new world record for the braking distance of electric vehicles.
Source: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

Aito M9 EREV begins shipment in China

Aito M9 SUV ready to ship. The Huawei backed brand starts shipping its EREV car in China.

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Aito M9 EREV begins shipment in China​

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Mark Andrews

February 26, 2024


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Accompanied by a video showing rows of Aito M9 cars waiting to be loaded on transporters Aito has announced that large-scale delivery of the model is now commencing.

Aito is a collaboration between Seres and Huawei where Seres makes the cars and Chinese electronics giant Huawai provides full-stack intelligent vehicle solutions through the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). Seres with the Aito brand was the first manufacture to join HIMA and the Huawei system provides both the cockpit ecosystem through Harmony OS and the autonomous driving system. Huawei sells the Aito range in its Huawei showrooms.
Delivery will initially prioritize customers who booked the car before the December 26 press conference last year when the car was launched, with other customers receiving cars from May.

The video of reportedly the Seres Auto Industry Park shows rows of Aito M9 SUVs lined up in front of car transporters. Curiously all seem to be in exactly the same color scheme of blue lower body with a gray roof.
An EREV the car is seen as a major threat to the Li Auto L8 and L9 models. Size is 5230/1999/1800 mm, with a wheelbase of 3110 mm, making it a large SUV. Official prices of the Aito M9 range from 469,800 yuan to 569,800 yuan.
Customers can choose from a 42 kWh or 52 kWh battery version with both packs using NMC chemistry and produced by CATL. These have pure electric ranges of 225 km and 275 km using CLTC measurement. With a full tank of fuel this range extends out to 1362 km and 1402 km respectively. An all-electric version will also be available with a 97 kWh battery, also from CATL, and good for 630 km.


EREV versions use a 1.5T engine to generate electricity while actual momentum comes from a 165 kW motor at the front and a 200 kW motor at the rear. Fully electric versions switch out these motors for 160 kW at the from and a 230 kW motor behind giving the EV a faster acceleration time of 4.3 seconds compared to 4.9 for the EREV. The M9 uses a 800V high-voltage silicon carbide electric drive platform.
Map Free NCA (Navigation Control Assistant) will allow the Aito M9 to have a level of autonomous driving in 338 cities across China with the need of high precision mapping.
Inside the car is six seater using a 2+2+2 layout. In front the driver gets both a 75-inch augmented reality HUD and 12.3-inch instrument display. There is also a main 15.6-inch infotainment screen while the front passenger has their own dedicated 16-inch screen. Harmony OS powers the who system.

 

[Yommie]

Li Mega’s CATL Qilin 102 kWh battery charges 10-80% in 10 minutes 36 secs [video]

You won't even have time to go to the toilet. 521.2 kW peak charging.

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Li Mega’s CATL Qilin 102 kWh battery charges 10-80% in 10 minutes 36 secs [video]​

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Jiri Opletal

February 26, 2024


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Li Mega.

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Li Mega can officially add 500 km in 12 minutes thanks to its fast-charging 5C Qilin battery from CATL. During the road test, Li Auto beat that and showed a 10-80% charging time of 10 minutes and 36 seconds with a peak power of 521.2 kW.

The test was conducted by a Chinese influencer 电车室长 who has over 0.5 million followers on Weibo. The charging started at 10% SoC when the remaining range was 68 km and ended at 80% when the range increased to 568 km. The peak power of 521.2 kW occurred around 18% SoC.
A similar test result occurred in October last year when a leaked test video showed Li Mega charged from 6% to 80% in 11 minutes and 2 seconds. That was 77.3 kWh of capacity in 11 minutes. The peak charging capacity was slightly higher back then, reaching 521.59 kW.


Li Auto sells only extended-range electric vehicles (EREV). It means ICE is not connected to wheels and only charges the battery or powers the e-motor. The reason is that, despite being an EV enthusiast, Li Xiang, the company founder and CEO, believes that most potential EV buyers still have range and charging anxiety.
Li Megas were spotted parking ahead of the launch on March 1.
Li Xiang also said they will bring their first all-electric car to the market when the technology is advanced enough to make charging as fast and convenient as adding gas. And that time has already come – Li Mega will launch this week on March 1.
Li Auto doesn’t want to rely on third-party charging infrastructure, which might ruin the charging experience, and they announced they will build their network of superchargers. The Li Auto stations will have a 3+1 setup, meaning there will always be one 480 kW power charger and three 250 kW chargers.

Li Mega 5C charging test results. Credit: 电车室长
The company plans to have 2,000 superchargers in China by the year’s end, covering 90% of tier 1-3 cities. By the end of 2025, Li Auto wants to operate 10,000 superchargers. Currently, Li Auto has 343 superchargers in China located in 114 cities.
Li commented on its superchargers that if the stations are empty, the car with 5C charging can get 500 km in 11 minutes. If the station is occupied and all the guns are in use, the vehicles can still add 500 km in 15 minutes, Li assured.

Li Mega specs​

Li Mega is a new large minivan built on an 800V platform equipped with CATL’s fastcharging 5C battery technology. The C means how many times the battery can fully charge in an hour. So, in this case, 5C means it can charge 0-100% five times in an hour. In other words, the battery can fully charge in 12 minutes.
The MPV, with its futuristic design, is over 5.3 meters long. Its exact dimensions are 5350/1965/1850 mm with a wheelbase of 3300 mm. It has a 2+2+3 seating arrangement, an electronically foldable rear row of seats, and various options for how to arrange interior seating/sleeping.
Li Mega interior arrangement options. Credit: Li Auto
The Mega has two electric motors on board with a combined power of 400 kW. They are powered by a 102.7 kWh ternary NMC battery pack from CATL, good for 710 km of range.
The price will be revealed on March 1, and CarNewsChina expects it will be around 500,000 yuan (70,000 USD). It will compete with Denza D9, Xpeng X9, Hycan V09, and Zeekr 009 in China.

 

[Yommie]

New MG 3 at Geneva has hybrid technology 2 generations ahead of Japan

The new third generation MG 3 launches at the Geneva Motor Show. It has a hybrid drivetrain.

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New MG 3 at Geneva has hybrid technology 2 generations ahead of Japan​

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Mark Andrews

February 26, 2024


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MG showed today its third generation MG 3 to the public at the Geneva Motor Show. Destined for sale in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region the car will be the first SAIC produced car to feature a hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 1.5 liter engine and an electric motor.

The MG 3 name was first used on the NAC produced Streetwise version of the old Rover 25. SAIC then used the name for a new car which went on sale in 2011. The long overdue third generation replacement marks an evolution in looks over the outgoing car.
It had a sporty look with sharp lines and headlight cluster. In keeping with the current MG ICE range face there is a large grille with boomerang shaped air intakes on both sides. Although there is a carbon fiber looking front lip this is likely made of another material to keep costs down.


Internally the car has a similar layout to the MG 4 EV with separate LCD instrument screen and a floating central screen, the steering wheel is also near identical. However the MG 3 gains a row of physical switches under the main screen. The interior is black and the upholstery has diamond stitching. Judging from the pictures materials do not appear to be very good quality.

The old MG 3 came originally with a choice of 1.3 or 1.5 liter engines although the smaller engine was dropped at the time of the second facelift. At launch the new car will come with a 1.5 liter hybrid setup coupled to a 3 speed hybrid automatic transmission. SAIC are referring to the system as Hybrid Plus.
Producing 75 kW the engine when combined with a 100 kW electric motor produce a combined 143 kW in the MG 3 Hybrid+. Using a 1.83 kWh battery SAIC claims there is an extensive electric-only driving range with fuel economy figures of 64 mpg (4.4 l/100km) and 100 g/km CO2.

Zhao Aimin, Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of SAIC International, claims that that the system is two generations ahead of Japanese systems. However, other than saying SAIC had an advantage in the inductance of electric motors, and that after increasing the battery power the handling feels better when starting and accelerating he didn’t give any more details supporting the claim.
The hybrid system operates in a number of different modes:
EV – Running on electric-only power for as long as charge allows
Series – Engine runs through to the generator, which powers the electric motor for drive
Series and Charge – Series driving, plus topping-up the battery when under low-load
Drive and Charge – Engine drives the wheels, while also charging the battery through the generator
Parallel – Both engine and electric motor power the wheels

Editor’s note:​

The MG 3 for many years was MG’s best selling and best handling car. However, SAIC tried to get far more mileage out of the car than was good for it without ever overhauling the powertrain options. The new car really should have happened five years ago but judging by the looks it should do well. Whether the hybrid really is that advanced or not remains to be seen but it will certainly make this model good for the next few years.

 

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