Zero gravity zone: the crossover from China has changed beyond recognition
Chinese car companies are upgrading cars at an alarming rate: just a year after the start of Russian sales of the third-generation Changan CS75Plus crossover, the fourth-generation model entered the market. The mid-size SUV got all-wheel drive for the first time and completely changed, getting rid of some of the shortcomings of its predecessor. The Izvestia correspondent studied the features of the new CS75Plus on the roads of the Murmansk region.
Looks from a Volkswagen designer
If the "third" Changan CS75Plus was a facelifted version of the second generation, then the "fourth" is associated with its predecessor only by its name. The model has switched to the fresh Fangzhou platform, which features an enlarged wheelbase, a lower center of gravity and an all-wheel drive system. The torsional rigidity of the body has also increased. All the changes, as stated in the company, have led to an improvement in the stability of the car on the road and passive safety.
The dimensions of the car are 4770×1910× 1705 mm, the wheelbase is 2800 mm, the ground clearance is 190 mm.
Klaus Zichiora, who previously worked for Volkswagen and designed electric vehicles of the ID line, was responsible for the design of the Chinese SUV. The continuity between the latest CS75Plus can be traced only by the drawing of a large radiator grille, which, as is already customary in the Chinese automotive industry, has its own name — Vertical Force. Its special feature is a beautiful V-shaped pattern with a "parametric harmony of light and shadow" and many elements, the complexity of which is sure to cause problems for car wash employees.
The head optics are now multilevel and have several rows of diode strips for running lights. Regarding the third-generation model, Changan estimates that the headlights have become twice as bright. An interesting solution with a wide taillight is that its design resembles a sound level diagram on music players. By the way, the door handles for the Russian market are usually fixed, not extendable, as in China. In general, the crossover's appearance has become more solid, but compared to other futuristic models from China, it is unlikely to stand out in the stream.
"I went to rest."
There are drastic changes in the Changan CS75Plus cabin. The predecessor's cockpit with two screens was focused on the driver, while the novelty's front panel architecture is symmetrical, and there are three screens at once, and they are located behind monolithic glass more than a meter wide. On the passenger screen, you can duplicate navigation, watch videos, and even play games such as Tetris. Not to say that the third display is a useful option, and Changan representatives admitted to us that this is just a fashion statement.
The multimedia system supports Apple Carplay and Android Auto without a wire, it has built-in navigation from Yandex and music service from VK by default. The filling of the central screen is similar to that used in cars of the "Changan" Avatr sub-brand. Relative to the previous model, the localization of the menu has improved, but the translation is still machine-based — the names of some items like "Solntsez", "Communication Center" or "Clean screen" are confusing.
The digital "dashboard" is uninformative, important data is hidden behind the steering wheel rim, and its design should be redone. The transmission selector has moved from the central tunnel to the steering column, freeing up space for a platform for two smartphones (with charging for one). Unfortunately, there are fewer hot keys, which forces us to constantly turn to the media system, distracting ourselves from the road.
The interior of the CS75Plus has completely changed, with a 1150×216 mm glass panel with three HD screens as the centerpiece.
But CS75Plus now has a voice assistant, although it is very demanding to communicate. There is no artificial intelligence in the system, so the commands should be pronounced clearly, exactly as written in the instructions, otherwise the system will not understand the user and will say goodbye. We didn't bother to memorize the commands, but we tried to communicate with the assistant, and as a result, the trip was accompanied by the car's "I left" or "I went to rest." The voice assistant also shows signs of passive aggression — in response to the command "Hello, Changan," he may say "What?" or "What's the matter?" with displeasure.
With the generation change, the seats in the CS75Plus have become more comfortable, the seat cushions have increased and received ventilation, the headrests have also become larger, and the driver's seat has also got built-in speakers. The back row of the previous generation model was quite spacious, the new one has even more space, and the backrest of the sofa is adjustable in inclination. The finishing materials are pleasant, especially with the beige interior with faux suede.
The most comfortable seat in the car is the front passenger seat. It is equipped with a sliding foot rest, massage functions and Zero Gravity mode, which turns the chair into a kind of chaise longue. When activating the latter, the user can feel like a starship pilot when the voice assistant says the phrase "Zero gravity zone, secure passengers and objects from behind." Surprisingly, the driver is not allowed a massage.
Supercrosser
The former single-drive Changan CS75Plus was offered with 1.5 and 2.0 turbo engines of the Blue Core brand range, the current range of units has been reduced to one two-liter. The engine has changed, with the modernization it received an updated index (JL484ZQ1) and became even more powerful — it develops 235 hp and 390 Nm, it turned out to squeeze out nine more forces and ten Newtons. The compression ratio has decreased from 10 to 9.5, and the use of Ai-92 is allowed.
The motor is combined with a classic eight-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter from the Japanese Aisin. All—wheel drive - with a sixth-generation BorgWarner clutch. There are six driving electronics modes, including three "off-road" ("Snow", "Mud" and "Sand").
There is no doubt about the claimed acceleration from zero to "hundred" in 7.4 seconds. The crossover has excellent dynamics by the standards of the class, although the settings of the power unit are adjusted for a calm ride, and when you sharply press on the gas, there is a one-second delay. You can now drive off the asphalt more confidently — in the vicinity of the Kola highway, on roads covered with snow above the ankle, the CS75Plus proved to be a solid driver, although you should not go into the wilds on it anyway.
However, the main difference of the new generation lies in the suspension, which in the last "seventy-fifth" earned a lot of criticism for the tiring rocking of the body. The new crossover has been completely "shaken up": it is tougher, more collected, rolls moderately in turns, although the chassis is not at all devoid of energy consumption and offers smoothness sufficient for long-distance trips. Despite the fact that the steering wheel is empty, the car predictably changes its trajectory, and it is more interesting to actively drive it.
The two-liter turbo engine develops 235 hp (390 Nm) and is combined with the classic Aisin eight-band automatic, the Ai-92 can be used, acceleration from zero to "hundred" takes 7.4 seconds.
A number of assistants are designed to help the driver, which includes adaptive cruise control and a traffic assistant, a frontal collision warning system, automatic braking with pedestrian/car/cyclist recognition, a sign recognition system and high beam auto control, as well as a parking attendant and an integrated recorder. The kit is not bad, although the lack of a blind spot control system seems strange.
More expensive than its predecessor
If the previous CS75Plus now costs from 3.6 million rubles, the new one has surpassed the 4 million mark — from 4.1 million rubles in the "base" and from 4.25 million rubles in the second and top-end versions. If you take into account all the changes in the model, then the surcharge may be small, but the final price tag is not encouraging. Maybe if the SUV is localized on Avtotor, it will become cheaper? After all, a more affordable version with a 1.5 engine is not planned.
The CS75Plus was equipped with an all-wheel drive system for the first time, and three "off-road" driving electronics modes are provided.
By default, the crossover is already richly equipped: there are 19-inch wheels, three screens in the cabin, smartphone charging, a large panoramic roof, six airbags and the same number of speakers, backlight, dual-zone climate, adaptive cruise, navigation. The "winter" package includes heating of the windshield, all seats, steering wheel, mirrors and windshield washer nozzles.
For an additional fee, they will offer 14 speakers of a well-sounding Pioneer audio system, sign recognition, a parking attendant, tinted rear windows and front noise-insulating glasses, ventilation of the front seats and the very "space" passenger seat.
The new Changan CS75Plus is offered in two trim levels for 4.1 million and 4.25 million rubles.
The list of CS75Plus rivals in the Russian market has changed, now it has to compete for customers with such all-wheel drive crossovers as Geely Monjaro, Haval H7, Tenet T8 and Jetour T1/T2.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
