Haval SUV coupe concept unveiled

China’s sport utility vehicle manufacturer Haval unveiled its stunning new hybrid-powered SUV coupe concept at Auto Shanghai 2017.

The design team is proud to produce an “expressive” HB-03 concept, the Haval Blue 03, Haval design director Pierre Leclercq says.

He says the HB-03 is a continuation of the DNA evolution shown in the HB-02 concept at Beijing in 2016, but this year the design team wanted to show something close to production.

“The HB-03 combines clever hybrid technology together with the pure excitement of a real coupe. It’s very sporty, mature and full of muscle,” Leclercq says.

He says the HB-03 concept is meant to be a bit louder than other vehicles in the range.
“We certainly wanted to express this with the interior and its mix of orange leather, carbon and black chrome, which give a unique and sporty character.”

The instrument panel accentuates a horizontal theme, integrating air vents that look smaller visually, without losing any functionality.

Leclercq says the HB-03 concept is true to his philosophy of “simple, but strong”.

The concept vehicle is powered by the intelligent hybrid unveiled in Beijing in 2016, which delivers more than 200 kilowatts and 450 Newton-metres, while consuming just 2.1 litres of fuel to travel 100 kilometres.

Rather than the traditional hybrid design of a separate combustion engine and electric motor, the Haval approach combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and transmission.

Linked to a rear-mounted NCM lithium-ion battery, the high-level integrated design delivers dynamic performance and outstanding fuel economy.

The Haval plug-in hybrid powertrain offers three distinctive modes. In pure electric mode, drive is provided solely by the electric motor. The 95kW/278Nm motor is fuelled by a large 13 kilowatt/hour battery, providing a range of 65 kilometres while producing zero emissions.

The battery can be recharged in about four hours from a standard household power point.

Power mode allows drivers to get the combined performance of both energy sources. On start-up, the SUV uses the electric motor’s instant response, with the petrol engine maintaining acceleration.

The hybrid will accelerate from zero to 100kmh in around nine seconds, on its way to a top speed of 210kmh.

The default mode is hybrid drive, designed for everyday use. The vehicle will automatically alternate between drawing power from the turbocharged engine and the electric motor to deliver the best overall fuel consumption.