GWM launches new PHEVs at Auto Shanghai

The Great Wall Motor Company (GWM) will introduce plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) at the Shanghai automotive show (April 18-27) where it also has three stands featuring about six Chinese sub-brands.

GWM’s press conference will be live-streamed on April 18 at 5pm New Zealand Standard Time for about 30 minutes.

It includes the next-generation EV-based GWM mid-size SUV – internal code B07 (PHEV) on sale in China from May, GWM Hi4 electric hybrid tech platform introduction (beside a display chassis) and a short interview with one GWM’s designers from the United Kingdom (Dyson Andrew, covering the next-gen Ora EVs)

The three show stalls are the Haval and pickup truck stand (Hall 7.1, National Exhibition and Convention Centre), Ora and saloon stand (Hall 6.1) and the Tank and Wey stand (Hall 6.2).

The show also includes the VW ID.7 production version, Polestar 4, Nissan “Max-Out” convertible and two other concepts, the Toyoda Gosei concept, Mini Cooper SE convertible, Mini Cooper Aceman, BYD YangWang U9 supercar, MG Cyberster roadster, and Honda prototypes.

GWM’s show theme is “New Energy New GWM” with press conferences covering the new MPV/Wey Lanshan, the Tank 500 PHEV, the Haval fourth generation H6 PHEV, and the GWM Cannon P05 PHEV

GWM’s strategy upgrade for next new energy era include the GWM Forest Ecosystem, GWM’s electric hybrid Hi4 (hybrid intelligent 4WD) – the next generation pillar drivetrain tech, and global expansion under “ONE GWM” with a new product range and line-up.

The GWM Forest Ecosystem has three layers to operate as a whole.

These are (bottom) the “Resource Layer” (supply chain and technology), (middle) “Tool Layer” (tech platforms able to incubate brand models line-ups) and (surface) “Application Layer” (category series and models).

GWM’s Hi4 platform features two powertrains producing 340kW, covering A-C class vehicle models. The e-hybrid powertrain achieves a thermal efficiency of 41.5%, made possible by its advanced combustion system, high-pressure direct injection, and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation technology.

In addition, the Hi4 platform’s intelligent energy management and control strategies provide optimal operating efficiency and improve vehicle energy efficiency by about 8% compared to traditional energy management.

 It offers more than 100km electric range due to its high-capacity battery pack (19.94kWh and 27.5kWh options), fast charging energy efficiency that reaches 97%, and charging from 30% to 80% in under 30 minutes.

 “The Hi4 platform represents a major breakthrough in hybrid technology, providing an innovative combination of efficiency, safety, and value that has been previously considered impossible,” says  GWM’s powertrain technical officer Zhun Liu.

 The GWM intelligent torque vectoring control (iTVC) system is a new dynamic control technology that relies on milliseconds high-precision sensing of vehicle speed through motor rotation. It rapidly distributes and dynamically adjusts the torque between the front and rear axles in milliseconds, effectively preventing slipping on low-adhesion road surfaces and improving handling stability and driving safety during turns.

The electromechanical coupling transmission system is an innovative design of two electromechanical coupling units, covering almost the entire speed range of the engine, meeting the driving needs of users in all scenarios.

“The Hi4 platform provides powerful performance and lower fuel consumption, and with its innovative dual-motor and dual-axis control functions, it also improves handling stability and driving safety during turns,” says Liu.

“Initially, people buy an SUV not just because of its looks and higher ride position, but naturally for its 4WD capabilities, but the main pain point is price.

“In the electrified era, GWM manages to use the electric motors tech to realise the 4WD functions at the cost equivalent of 2WD.”

Bottom resource layer generate and empower the Tool Layer, and Tool Layer incubate the application layer. Everything works as if a forest ecosystem, hence the nomenclature.

In 2021, GWM announced it would achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2045.

So far it has built a “photovoltaic + distributed energy storage + centralized energy storage” energy system and has completed the layout of its entire “solar energy/battery/hydrogen energy/vehicle power” value chain, which will be extended overseas.

With regard to power battery technology, Svolt Energy Technology has established an industrial layout covering multiple chemical power batteries, including lithium iron phosphate, lithium manganese phosphate, cobalt-free, ternary, sodium ion and solid-state batteries, and now offers three solutions characterised by high-cost efficiency, long range, and high performance.

HYCET Technology’s world-class electric drive products focus on the four dimensions of “integration, high voltage, high speed and high efficiency”, with two platforms M and L. Its existing product series, ranging from 100kW to 220kW, covers Class A to Class D commercial models.

GWM’s intelligent driving technology ranges from sensing hardware to computing platforms which include 17-megapixel car cameras and 4D millimetre-wave radar.

IT has developed a stack of application software, and urban NOH products, continuously extending these to all urban scenarios.

GWM has sold more than 200,000 vehicles equipped with its high-compute capacity cockpit platforms.