GWM brings new plug-in hybrid SUV and hybrid architecture to the Shanghai Auto Show
Posted by Tejas Kokcha on Apr 29, 2023
Great Wall Motors has stolen the show at the Shanghai Auto Show with its latest launches. The Chinese firm debuted its cutting-edge architecture that combines electrification with new, more efficient petrol engines. On top of that, GWM has also revealed a new plug-in hybrid SUV codenamed B07.
The B07 truly showcases the capabilities of the new platform. And for those of you worrying about the highly technical name, don’t worry, the final product will have a different and easier to remember name.
The architecture, on which the B07 is set to be built, will be available with two powertrains - 1.5-litre engines with one turbocharged and the other not. The naturally aspirated engine has a remarkable 16:1 compression ratio, the greatest in the petrol engine industry, according to GWM, which reduces fuel consumption.
The architecture is not the only new innovation from GWM that the B07 will feature. The plug-in hybrid will also boast the firm’s Hi4 all-wheel drive system that will pair the available powertrains with two electric motors - a 70 KW motor at the front and a 150 KW motor at the rear. Moreover, there will be two battery sizes: a 20 kWh pack and a 27.5 kWh pack, with the latter providing a pure-electric range of more than 100 miles.
Talking further about the Hi4 system, it’s pretty intelligent. The system has the capability of switching between nine different drive modes based on real-time road conditions, including using both electric and hybrid power, two-wheel and all-wheel drive, and different transmission modes.
Great Wall Motors says that the B07 will provide "all-wheel drive capabilities at the price of 2WD gear." While the WLTP range is "beyond" 1200km, fuel consumption is stated to be 5.5L/100km. It's interesting to note that the 20kWh battery is responsible for this achievement. When the battery range is exhausted, the system will operate like a standard hybrid, reducing emissions.
Launch date of the B07 has not been confirmed yet, however, a local launch does seem likely in near future.