Fox hunting: a popular hybrid from China has a competitor
Sales of premium Exlantix cars are starting in Russia. They will start with the hybrid all-wheel drive crossover ET. To get acquainted with the new product, the Izvestia correspondent went to the Tver region and found out how Exlantix differs from similar hybrids from China.
A plastic bracket, a pair of screws, and a few minutes of work, complicated by the fact that the screws have to be tightened blindly. Finally, the panel with physical keys and knobs is fixed under the central display, we insert its wiring into the USB connector, find a special application in the menu and climate control is activated. It's funny that the Exeed brand, which once presented the Moscow Conservatory with a positive organ, now gives owners the opportunity to "play" on the keyboard. There is even a button to turn on the windshield heater. Those who are tired of touch controls will take this option positively.
Exlantix ET: when will it be available
The fact that Exlantix models will be sold in Russia was known 2 years ago, when the cars were demonstrated at the Shanghai Auto Show. Since then, the launch date has been postponed several times. In April, pre-orders for the ET hybrid crossover started, and the first cars appeared in showrooms. During those two years, while preparations were underway for the debut in Russia, competitors from Lixiang sold more than 30 thousand cars, and without being officially represented in our country.
Dimensions of Exlantix ET: 4980×1975×1698 mm. Wheelbase — 3000 mm
There are reasons for the slowness with which the Chery concern operates, namely, it owns the Exlantix brand. It quickly became clear that hybrids were preferable to electric vehicles in our market, so we had to wait for the hybrid ET, which was originally presented in an electric version. Now it is being launched in Russia before the ES sedan, which is still electric only. Exlantix has decided not to share it with the Exeed brand, which is already familiar to Russians. In addition, it will have hybrid versions of existing models.
Finally, due to the increase in scrap collection, the supply of Lisyans through alternative channels collapsed. While the competitor legalizes its presence in Russia, Exlantix immediately comes out with an official service, an 8-year warranty, and round-the-clock support. Plus privileges for owners, like free parking in secure parking lots in major cities.
Exlantix ET: what kind of car is this
The Exlantix ET is made in the same form factor as the Lixiang L7, although slightly more compact with a similar wheelbase. Due to the lower height, the silhouette of the novelty seems to be more rapid. The cars are similar in appearance, but the large Exlantix labels on the front and back do not allow them to be confused. Secondly, the ET radiator grille has thin vertical slots in the front of the car. In any case, no other car has such a car yet. What do these slots compare to? The first thing that comes to mind are analogies with the gill slits of a shark or the chin of the cinematic villain Thanos. This stylistic element distinguishes Exlantix from many faceless electric vehicles, making its "face" serious.
The crossover accelerates from zero to 100 km/ h in 4.8 seconds. The maximum speed is 195 km/h.
Otherwise, the ET's appearance is minimalistic — just a little bit of matte chrome, the door handles are pulled into the body, and one of the letters of the Exlantix name acts as the trunk opening button. The "bird" on the front wing, which houses sensors for a semi-autonomous driving system on the Chinese market, is covered with a faceless body-colored plug. There won't be this system on our market, so there's no lidar on the roof either. It is strange that the designers did not leave the "bird" as a decorative detail.
The frameless doors are equipped with an electric drive to close by pressing an inconspicuous button or on the brake pedal. However, they left physical levers hidden in the door pockets to unlock the locks, just in case.
Exlantix ET: interior
The interior is also minimalistic: steering wheel, smaller TV and larger TV on a symmetrical panel, brushed chrome. The seats are upholstered in high-quality natural leather. Overlays with a stone—like texture are a new word in decorating car interiors and are pleasant to the touch. Physical buttons and levers are the minimum allowed, and the emergency button was moved to the ceiling altogether. And what is initially perceived as mysterious buttons under the display are cones of flavor. At the moment, the fragrance of "The Best Years" is streaming through the air ducts.
The interior can also be creamy white.
Almost all function control is tied to the central display — duct control, opening of the glove compartment and the gas tank hatch. To adjust the mirrors, select the desired item in the menu, and then adjust them using the rollers on the spokes of the steering wheel. A year ago, at a presentation in China, I complained to the instructors that it was difficult and not very convenient.
The Chinese comrades did not understand the difficulties. Everything, they say, is simple, give the command with your voice and the necessary tab will appear on the display. But the machine recognizes Chinese without problems, and Russian is not always, especially complex commands. Therefore, the Russian market offers an additional keyboard with physical buttons.
If the company adheres to minimalism with regard to buttons, then with regard to options it adheres to maximalism. All chairs are equipped with electric controls, heating, ventilation and massage, including the rear ones. The length of the driver's seat cushion can be changed, and the front passenger seat is equipped with a pull-out ottoman and unfolds into a chaise longue.
It's even strange that there are no additional folding chairs in the underground — the Exlantix ET is strictly a five-seater.
Exlantix ET: characteristics
ET, like Lixiang, belongs to the so-called sequential hybrids, now they are often referred to as extended range electric vehicles (EREV). This means that the wheels are turned by two electric motors, and the internal combustion engine recharges the battery. Exlantix ET, as promised by the manufacturer, can travel 200 km on a clean electric car, and thanks to charging from a 1.5 liter gasoline engine, it can travel almost 1200 km. As representatives of the brand say, in order to return 3.6 kW to the battery, you need to spend a liter of fuel. Tests on Lake Baikal showed that the crossover is guaranteed to drive 800 km.
The claimed power reserve is 1,180 km (according to the WLTC cycle). The claimed consumption is 6.7 liters and 20 kWh per 100 km. The 40 kWh battery can be charged from 20 to 80% in 17.5 minutes.
The two electric motors produce a total of 469 hp and 634 Nm, so the ET accelerates not quickly, but very quickly. The claimed acceleration from zero to 100 km/h while the battery is charged is 4.8 s. if the OS is in it
It is a pity that the cars were without license plates and the short route in the vicinity of Zavidovo did not allow them to accelerate. Some things can be noted based on the results of the short test. The car is very quiet, including thanks to the double glazing, both front and rear. There is a noticeable difference between driving modes, not only in reactions to the accelerator pedal, but also in the suspension — in a comfortable car the car rides gently, in a sporty electronically controlled shock absorbers are noticeably clamped, reducing rolls. The recovery is powerful, while the brakes look serious — six-piston, with large ventilated discs.
Exlantix ET: is it adapted for Russia
Due to the difficulties of translation, the most off-road mode is called "Jeep Evacuation". However, it is still unknown who will evacuate whom. The air suspension allows you to increase the ground clearance up to 227 mm. To overcome off-road terrapods, instructors recommend the "Sand" mode. The hybrid easily overcomes the rollers that simulate a slippery climb, but the "swing", which must be driven so that the car descends gently and slowly, did not work the first time. The reason for this is that the accelerator is too damped in this mode and, apparently, the delay in the image from the all-round cameras.
Thanks to the air suspension, the ground clearance can be increased to 227 mm. The maximum altitude is valid up to a speed of 40 km/h.
However, for Exlantix ET, it is not the off-road tracks that are more important, but the ability to easily endure the harsh Russian winters. The company says that our conditions were taken into account when developing the hybrid. The suspension elements and almost all body panels are made of aluminum, the tailgate is generally plastic, and there are very few chrome parts that can lose their shine from reagents. The car comes with a full winter package, including heated windshield, heated windshield washer nozzles and steering wheel.
Even the CCS charging connector is considered a plus for Russia, they say, there is more queue for EHS with the Chinese GB/T connector.
Exlantix ET: how much does it cost
In theory, such a thoughtful approach is needed to promote premium hybrids with their sophisticated electronics. It seems that the owners of "gray" cars, tired of the lack of clear service, the curve of Russification and long waiting times for spare parts, should reach out to the showrooms of the "officials".
However, of the brands that have officially entered the Russian market, Voyah has achieved some success. Price plays an important role here. Exlantix ET was initially estimated at 6.6-7 million rubles, but now there are quite a lot of more tempting offers on the market for hybrids released in 2024.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
