Bitche Original It has to be said that under the wave of the new four modernizations of automobiles, intelligence and electrification have entered deep waters. As the first product under Auchan's electrification strategy, Auchan Z6 is launched at the same time as Blue Whale new generation NE15T and Blue Whale iDD special hybrid models. , is undoubtedly a strong challenge to the existing hybrid market. The fuel version is priced at 99,900-129,900 yuan, and the iDD plug-in hybrid version is priced at 155,800-175,800 yuan. So, in terms of power, can Blue Whale's new generation NE15T engine and Blue Whale iDD special hybrid system break through in this hybrid era? At the same time, can it satisfy the discerning eyes of Generation Z?
"Although engines are not a shortcoming that restricts the development of car companies, they are a bottleneck for the upward development of independent brands." This sentence is actually very realistic and pertinent. There is no doubt that the engine is the heart of a car. Issues such as how fast a car runs, whether it is fuel-efficient, and the level of emissions are closely related to the engine. However, in the history of the development of independent brands, due to the constraints of engine technology, they had to turn to foreign brands. The purchase of engines became a laughing stock for a while. Therefore, it is definitely uncomfortable to be controlled by others. Many independent brands have begun to deploy independently developed powertrains. Among them, Changan's Blue Whale Power and Blue Whale iDD special hybrid systems are worthy of mention.
The reason why the Blue Whale Power Platform was born
A good technical support often requires the endorsement of history. As an old independent automobile brand, Changan Automobile’s predecessor can be traced back to the Shanghai Artillery Bureau in 1862. It was founded by the historical celebrity Li Hongzhang and moved to Nanjing in 1865. And it was renamed Jinling Manufacturing Bureau, which is a proper military industry enterprise. And I mention this period of history because I want everyone to know that to some extent, Changan Automobile is also an enterprise with a long history and a national enterprise worthy of the respect of consumers!
In 2016, Changan Automobile officially launched the Blue Whale series 2.0T engine, with a maximum power of 233Ps and a maximum torque of 360N·m. It was installed in the new model Changan CS95 at the time. The core concepts of Blue Whale power can be simply summarized as three Jin - strong power, clean emissions and quiet operation.
Since the first-generation Blue Whale engine has achieved good results, Changan continues to make efforts. In 2019, Blue Whale Power began to be officially released as a family, which includes not only engines, but also Blue Whale transmissions and Blue Whale iDD hybrid technology. On March 10, 2022, Changan UNI-K iDD, the first model equipped with the "Changan Blue Whale iDD hybrid system", was officially launched. This model is positioned as a medium-sized SUV and is priced from 176,900 yuan to 192,900 yuan. As time comes to June 2022, Auchan Z6, our protagonist today, will be officially launched, and it is equipped with Blue Whale’s new generation NE15T engine and Blue Whale iDD special hybrid system. Next, let’s talk about these two power systems respectively.
New generation NE15T power engine: thermal efficiency as high as 40%
Before we talk about power, let’s briefly review the appearance design of Auchan Z6. First of all, one of the most striking characteristics of the Generation Z consumer group is the pursuit of individuality and never miss any opportunity to express themselves, and Auchan Z6 naturally caters to their aesthetic needs.
With the blessing of the edge design aesthetics, Auchan Z6 has clear edges and corners, and the strong and fierce beauty comes to the face. It is straight and powerful. At the same time, the edges and corners are integrated with the curved surface. The capable lines outline the dynamic beauty, and the sharp silhouette is more elegant. It has a sense of speed, and the exhaust system with four outlets on both sides of the rear fully reflects the beauty of sport.
Secondly, Generation Z is a generation that has grown up with the rise and popularization of technology. Their acceptance and sensitivity to smart technology are the strongest in history. Therefore, their favorite car, the Auchan Z6, is no longer a "loveless" transportation machine, but a caring and considerate car robot from the future. Auchan Z6 features OnStyle5.0 smart and happy cockpit. The interior consists of a 12.3-inch ultra-edge cutting central control screen + 10.3-inch floating full LCD instrument screen + 9.2-inch small European screen 3 screens. Together with a high-performance 8-core chip, it looks technological. full of sense; in addition, Auchan Z6 is also equipped with " "Spiritual Pet Calling" EaglePilot7.0 full voice valet parking system, AR-HUD augmented reality head-up display system, new generation IACC adaptive cruise system and microphoneless car KTV singing system 2.0 and other configurations, both intelligent and entertaining Meet the needs of Generation Z.
In terms of power, the 1.5T version of Auchan Z6 is equipped with Blue Whale's new generation NE15T engine, matched with Blue Whale's 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, with a maximum power of 138kW, a maximum torque of 300N·m, and 0-100km/h acceleration in only 7.81 seconds. . Judging from the book data alone, the 1.5T engine equipped in the Auchan Z6 can already compete with the mainstream joint venture 1.5T engines, and its performance has also entered the ranks of the first echelon of 1.5T engines. However, returning to the core essence, ultimately let What makes Blue Whale’s new generation NE15T engine stand out is its solid core technology.
First of all, Blue Whale’s new generation NE15T engine has several very impressive technologies. The first one is that it increases the thermal efficiency of the turbocharged engine to an unprecedented 40%. And what exactly is 40%? You must know that in the field of traditional internal combustion engines, the average level of the entire industry is only 36%, and the thermal efficiency of Blue Whale's new generation NE15T engine is very close to Toyota and Honda's self-priming engines. It can be regarded as the technical responsibility of its own brand. You must know that compared with Naturally aspirated engine, turbocharged engineOften there is no inherent advantage in thermal efficiency, but Blue Whale's new generation NE15T not only achieves it, it is also extremely advanced.
It is worth mentioning that the Agile agility system is inspired by F1 racing cars. By using dual outlets to reduce the interference between each cylinder, it can be more conducive to combustion, making the exhaust pulse effect entering the turbine stronger, making the engine more efficient. Better power and faster response. In addition, Blue Whale's new generation NE15T engine has many "big steps forward" pioneering achievements. For example, compared with Changan's previous generation 1.5T engine, the length is reduced by 28mm and the weight is reduced by 14kg. Another example is the use of a labyrinth oil and gas separator. , double V VT timing technology, dual-port IEM technology, twin-scroll electromagnetic control turbocharging technology, and individually controllable PCJ + variable displacement oil pump, etc. It is the blessing of these technologies that allows Auchan Z6 to truly achieve performance and fuel efficiency. The "double optimal solution" of economy.
Blue Whale iDD special hybrid system: a globally efficient electrical platform
Of course, Blue Whale’s new generation NE15T engine alone is obviously not enough to satisfy the discerning tastes of Generation Z. With the rise of hybrid models, Auchan Z6 must also achieve the goal of “I have what others have, and I want more.” "Good" situation, in this regard, the Blue Whale iDD special hybrid system equipped on Auchan Z6 has already demonstrated its strong strength to users earlier. On June 12, the Auchan Z6 Blue Whale iDD special hybrid model successfully completed the ultra-long endurance challenge from Chongqing to Haikou on full fuel and full battery. The endurance on full fuel and full battery reached 1369km, while the average fuel consumption throughout the journey was only 3.8L/100km.
So, what is the magic of this Blue Whale iDD special hybrid system?
First of all, the Blue Whale iDD special hybrid system equipped on Auchan Z6 consists of four parts: Blue Whale NE15T hybrid special engine, Blue Whale three-clutch electric transmission, large-capacity PHEV battery and iDD intelligent control system. Among them, the Blue Whale NE15T hybrid special engine has a maximum net power of 122kW and a maximum net torque of 255N·m. The peak power of the electric motor is 110kW and the peak torque is 330N·m. With the support of the 28.4kW·h battery pack capacity, the Auchan Z6 can achieve 150km. Pure electric cruising range (NEDC) and a comprehensive cruising range of 1,200km.
It is worth mentioning that the Blue Whale NE15T hybrid engine is specially developed for the Blue Whale iDD hybrid system. It also represents the current flagship level of Changan in technology. For example, it adopts Agile to be agile and efficient. Combustion system (high pressure direct injection technology ), intelligent thermal management system, Miller cycle, intelligent lubrication system and a series of technologies. According to Changan’s future plan, a series of technologies such as variable valve lift and variable section electronic turbocharging will be added in the next five years. In the new Blue Whale NE engine, 45% thermal efficiency.
Secondly, the Blue Whale electric drive transmission also has four core technologies, including high-pressure hydraulic system, electronic dual-pump technology, S-winding winding technology and three-clutch integration technology. The entire transmission can achieve an overall electric drive efficiency of 90%. The maximum efficiency of the controller exceeds 98.5%, the motor power density reaches 10kW/kg, and the hydraulic system pressure is 60bar.
According to official data, the entire Blue Whale iDD hybrid system has a maximum transmission efficiency of 97%, a maximum comprehensive system torque of 590N·m, acceleration from 0-100km/h in just 6 seconds, and a top speed of 200km/h. So in terms of performance, the Blue Whale iDD special hybrid system achieves such performance while using only a single motor, and this set of Blue Whale electric drive transmission is really indispensable.
The last part is the intelligent control system of the Blue Whale iDD hybrid system. The official claims that this system can ensure that the engine, electric drive transmission, and battery work together in the optimal area, and the fuel saving effect in the feed state exceeds 40%. The power attributes can also be customized, allowing users to intelligently combine driving styles by adjusting power parameters. In other words, even as a hybrid model with active fuel economy, Auchan Z6 can still meet the demands of Generation Z for driving fun to a certain extent!
In fact, if you want to trace Changan Automobile’s exploration of hybrid technology, you can roughly start from 2012. In the blink of an eye, it has been more than ten years. Changan Automobile seems to be still on the long road of various hybrid technology routes, up and down. And seek. If we only start from the power aspect, I think Auchan Z6 has shown relatively high sincerity. Judging from the same level, Blue Whale's new generation NE15T engine is relatively leading in terms of parameters and performance, and with the addition of hybrid system, it can also attract more hybrid car enthusiasts. Of course, the more realistic point is that with the increase in oil prices, Continuously increasing, the Blue Whale iDD premium hybrid system meets the demands of consumers in the price range of 100,000-200,000 yuan for vehicle use costs.
Editor's comment: In May 2022, my country's hybrid vehicle market achieved a year-on-year growth of more than 180%. The hybrid vehicle market is also the fastest growing market segment in my country. Therefore, Auchan Z6 iDD choosing this node to enter the market is an important trump card for Changan Auchan to enter this market; judging from the current market situation, BYD DM-i, Geely Thor, Chery Kunpeng and other hybrid technologies have their own trump cards, and they have also found their own The way forward for technology Line, through the analysis in this article, both the Blue Whale iDD special hybrid system and the Blue Whale new generation NE15T power system have the technical strength to be among the first-tier. The former is more advanced in parameters, while the hybrid system can attract many hybrid systems. Train enthusiast. Based on the past experience of other models, if a model launches a fuel version and a hybrid version at the same time, the price difference will not be very different.Next, the sales volume of hybrid vehicles is significantly better than that of the fuel version, which is also a manifestation of the continuous development of this market. From this perspective, I also believe that Auchan Z6 can stand out in the Red Sea market of 100,000-200,000 yuan.