Smooth power and reduced fuel consumption! Test drive 48V light hybrid Chevrolet Volando

Suv-not enough control

MPV- insufficient power

Nowadays, almost every mainstream model on the market can be ruthlessly picked out by picky consumers. However, smart automotive engineers have not given up the research and development of new models. The Chevrolet Volando was born.

There is a great controversy about the ownership of its models in the automobile circle. Some people think it's a station wagon, some people think it's an SUV, and some people even think it's a mini MPV ... But in my opinion, it doesn't matter what it belongs to, the key is whether it can satisfy picky consumers.

To me, Chevrolet Volando is no stranger. On the contrary, it is an old friend I haven't seen for years. Two years ago, I drove it to complete a long-distance self-driving project of more than 300 kilometers, and made full use of its spacious interior space to move a house for my friends. At that time, the practicality of this car was deeply branded in my heart.

Since it is an old car, why should it be taken out for re-inspection? In fact, this Chevrolet Volando is really different. The biggest highlight of this upgrade is that it is equipped with a universal 48V mixed light system. According to the official statement, this system can improve fuel consumption 10% or so and improve driving quality. So what? Let's have a look!

Theoretical analysis? Is 48V mixed light useful?

Since it is an upgraded model, let's open the engine compartment and have a look at the engine first. This powertrain consists of 1.3T engine, with maximum power 120kW and maximum torque of 230 N m. The peak torque can be generated at 1800rpm and maintained at 4400rpm. Compared with the same displacement engine, the parameter advantage is obvious, but this is not the point.

The most important part of this Volando engine room is the 48V optical mixing system hidden in the engine, which consists of power recovery motor, large-capacity battery and electronic control system. The reason why it is called "light mixing" is relative to the "heavy mixing" of Hybird models such as Toyota and Honda. Its kinetic energy recovery is taken care of by the generator of the traditional fuel engine, and the energy storage battery is also served by the lead-acid battery with larger capacity. The electronic control system is integrated in the engine ECU, and no repairman can simply see that this is a hybrid model.

As for its principle, it is also very simple. When the vehicle is idling, taxiing or braking, the engine drives the generator through the belt, and the generator charges the battery, so that the original wasted kinetic energy can be stored as much as possible as electric energy. When the vehicle starts to accelerate, the generator is instantly converted into a driving motor, which works with the engine to make the vehicle reach the set speed, reduce the engine load, and achieve the purpose of energy saving and emission reduction.

The principle is the same as that of power-assisted bicycles that can be seen everywhere on the streets of Japan. Theoretically, it can indeed reduce fuel consumption and increase power to a certain extent. However, how strong can the part-time power motor of the generator be and how large can the battery be used as an energy storage module? These need to be drawn in the actual driving process.

Actual test? How much can fuel consumption be reduced?

Before the test begins, we will clear the fuel consumption data of the on-board instrument. The operating buttons of the driving computer of Chevrolet are all integrated on the operating lever of the turn signal, and friends who come into contact for the first time may find it for a long time. The vehicle load of this test is 3 adult males with a small amount of luggage, and the road conditions are in the suburbs outside the North Sixth Ring Road in Beijing. It is said to be a suburb. In fact, the road conditions are not as smooth as expected. It's basically two-way and two-lane. A large number of traffic lights and pedestrians from time to time also keep the speed of vehicles around 30-50 km/h. Not only that, we will never deliberately step on the accelerator because of the exam, but we will step on it like a daily driver.

After nearly two hours of driving, the mileage of the vehicle shows that it has run 46.7km, while the fuel consumption shown on the meter is 8.7L/ 100km. Through the photos taken by mobile phone and my driving memories of the Volando pure fuel version two years ago, the intuitive feeling is that this 48V light mixing system is helpful to fuel consumption, but it may still be a little far from the official 10% fuel consumption. Personally, I think it should be no problem to save 0.3L fuel per 100 kilometers.

Although the fuel consumption test results didn't give us too many surprises, the improvement of power output quality by 48V light mixing is very obvious. At the start, the vehicle is obviously smoother and more energetic, and the acceleration of the whole vehicle becomes more linear because of the power output characteristics of the motor. Not only that, because of the large-capacity battery and more powerful motor, the start-stop system becomes quieter and will not affect the comfort like other models.

Next, let's talk about the more surprising place of this Volando driving level. Bend down and look at its chassis, and you will find that its rear suspension is very kind and adopts a more expensive independent suspension. You should know that the terminal price of this car is in the early 654.38+ 10,000 yuan. How many models with the same price as the joint venture brand can be compared with it?

Thanks to the independent suspension, Volando's driving quality has been linearly improved. Whether it's a straight high-speed lane change or a manhole cover congested in urban areas, it can be easily solved without being too cheap or too loose. And I specially sat in the second and third row during the test drive to experience it. Let's just say that Volando, which is located in the family and has multiple functions, can make every partner in the same industry enjoy a more comfortable travel experience every time.

Detail design? Not fancy, but practical enough.

As a multi-functional family car with a positioning of 65,438+10,000 yuan, how to give users a better experience with less money has become a problem that Chevrolet engineers need to consider. Volando gave a very satisfactory answer. Take the aerodynamic elements above as an example. In general, the usual practice is to seal it to save mold opening and manufacturing costs. However, this air duct in Volando is real, and there are also four baffles designed in it to let air flow in here along the front of the car. In addition to reducing wind resistance, it can also cool the braking system of the vehicle and further improve the braking stability of the vehicle in aggressive driving mode or long downhill sections.

Looking at the configuration of tires, under the background that many German luxury brands are shrinking and adopting low-end Korean brands, Volando is actually equipped with Primacy from Michelin. 3ST, the specification reaches 225/50? R 17, the price of e-commerce platform is around 1050 yuan/article, which can be described as very kind.

It is also a practical concept to look at some designs in the car. Although the instrument still adopts the barrel design, the feeling of mechanical pointer with LCD screen is my favorite style, which is classic and exquisite without losing the sense of technology. The air conditioning control area has not been "destroyed" by Cadillac, and the design of physical buttons and knobs makes it extremely easy for the blind to operate.

This central control LCD screen and the MyLink+ operating system behind it also need to be greatly appreciated. Although it is small in size, it integrates the latest CarPlay and CarLife, which can provide greater expansion for the in-vehicle system while charging the mobile phone, and it is very convenient to use. The display effect of this screen is also first-class, and the color accuracy and resolution are the highest in its class. Behind it is the strong support of OnStar system. In addition to the well-known internet security function, the annual traffic of 100G can also make every passenger sitting in the car enjoy the great fun of car WiFi.

Of course, there is its most popular and practical 7-seat design. The second row of seats can be divided and laid down according to the ratio of 4/6, and can be adjusted back and forth freely to optimize the internal space for different passengers. The seats in the second and third rows can be completely laid down, presenting a huge flat space. With the air cushion, this is the "mobile home", and going to road trip can save money for staying in hotels.

abstract

48V light mixing system can improve ride comfort and fuel economy, but the excellent foundation of Volando itself is the biggest core competitiveness of the vehicle. The price of 65,438+10,000 yuan is one of the few high-quality and cost-effective models with large space, 7 seats and high configuration as the highlights in the joint venture market. If you are still young, if you also pursue the trend, then embrace the Chevrolet Volando model boldly, and you will never be disappointed!

This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.