[Aika Auto New Energy Channel Original]
A few weeks ago, when I received the invitation letter for the test drive of Tengshi 400 pure electric vehicle, I was really surprised. Tengshi actually set the test drive in Manzhouli, where the temperature was only -20℃. As we all know, low temperature has a great negative impact on battery performance. In a cold environment, the cruising range of electric vehicles will be greatly reduced. For Tengshi 400, an electric car, Manzhouli in February is obviously not a good place to go.
Then the question is coming. Where did Tengshi 400 get its confidence? When it first appeared, did it challenge the low temperature?
First, the model introduction
Tengshi is a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, and its first model was personally operated by Oliver Bray, the head of Mercedes-Benz China Design Center. Tengshi is positioned as a luxury pure electric vehicle, aiming at the market of 300,000 yuan, and its space, configuration and cruising range are better than many China brand models.
In the market, Tengshi has no direct competitors. The price of imported models is high and has not yet reached the range of 300,000 yuan; The price of China brand cars is mostly less than 150,000 yuan, and the competitiveness is insufficient. Tengshi has achieved some success because it has grasped the blank of the market.
However, the development of new energy vehicles is very fast, and Tengshi’s advantages in cruising range and configuration are being quickly caught up by the lower-level China brand models, so it is urgent to bring forth the new. Tengshi 400 is an upgrade to meet this demand.
Compared with the current models, what upgrades do Tengshi 400 have?
1. The cruising range is improved.
By using a battery with higher energy density, Tengshi 400 increased the battery capacity from 47.5kWh to 62kWh while keeping the shape and size of the battery pack unchanged. At the same time, the cruising range under comprehensive working conditions has also increased from 253km to 352km.
It should be noted that the model of this new car is Tengshi 400, but its cruising range is not 400km. At a constant speed of 60km/h, the cruising range of Tengshi 400 can reach 473km；; Under the working conditions of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (comprehensive working conditions), the cruising range of Tengshi 400 is 352km.
According to our past experience, the actual cruising range of Tengshi 400 is not difficult to reach 350km in a conventional environment (without air conditioning). If the driving habits are good, the cruising range of 400km can also be achieved.
2. Power improvement
Tengshi 400 Glory Edition adopts a new motor with a maximum power of 135kW and a maximum torque of 300Nm. The official acceleration time of 0-100km/h is 10.5s, and the power is obviously improved.
Unfortunately, the fashionable and distinguished models still use the old motors, with the maximum power of 86kW, the maximum torque of 290Nm and the acceleration time of 0-100km/h of 14.0s s.
3. Configuration upgrade
In terms of configuration, the biggest improvement of Tengshi 400 is the addition of seat heating and panoramic sunroof.
For electric vehicles, it consumes a lot of power to turn on the warm air in winter, but the heating effect is not obvious enough, while the heating of the seat is relatively energy-saving, which can provide good comfort for the occupants, so it is a very practical configuration. The front seats of Tengshi 400 Premium Edition and Glory Edition models are equipped with three-speed adjustable seat heating function, while the fashion version models do not have this configuration.
Panoramic skylight can effectively improve the vision of the occupants in the car, and its benefits are self-evident. Tengshi’s old models can’t provide skylights, which makes many car owners feel very sorry. Tengshi 400 Glory Edition is equipped with a panoramic sunroof with a maximum opening range of 55cm.
4. Price of Tengshi 400
As early as the first public appearance of Tengshi 400 in September 2016, Tengshi announced the pre-sale price of the car: 415,800 yuan for the distinguished version and 432,800 yuan for the glory version. As for the fashion version with the lowest configuration, the price has not yet been announced, and it may lower the threshold at a lower price.
In 2017, the state introduced new regulations on subsidies for new energy vehicles, and the subsidies for Tengshi 400 models decreased from 110,000 yuan to 66,000 yuan. In this way, the terminal price of Tengshi 400 Glory Edition will reach 366,800 yuan, which greatly exceeds the price of the old models.
Regarding the issue of shrinking subsidies, Tengshi said that the final selling price is still under study. We guess Tengshi officials may introduce some preferential measures.
Second, the appearance is basically unchanged.
In terms of appearance, Tengshi 400 has no change compared with the old models. On the one hand, this upgrade is mainly to enhance the inner; On the other hand, Tengshi was designed by Oliver Bray. Although some people don’t like it very much, they have to admit that it is still very difficult to change the master’s design. If you are not careful, you will gild the lily.
