Previously, Haval publicly stated that it would choose to eschew diesel engines in its line of SUVs in favour of petrol and hybrids. And right now it is coming out with more details about how it will execute its ambitious hybrid future.
With its first petrol-electric foray, Haval says that it will deliver an engine that is simultaneously their most powerful and their most fuel efficient. They say that it will produce up to 450Nm of torque while boasting a fuel consumption figure as low as 2.1-litres/100km.
That’s a bold claim, and seeing how the powertrain will be showcased in the HB-02 concept vehicle at the Beijing Auto Show earlier this year, Haval will likely be looking to have its real world debut without too much of a delay.
Whereas traditional hybrid arrangements have the internal combustion engine and electric motor placed separately, Haval’s approach combines the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder with the electric motor in sandwiched between it and the dual-clutch transmission.
This clever packaging solution, they say, will give dynamic performance, great fuel economy, and an all electric driving range of up to 65km provided entirely by its 95kW/278Nm electri motor fed by a 13kWh lithium-ion battery.
“The combination of high torque and efficiency makes electricity a great power source for SUVs,” said HAVAL Australia Chief Marketing Officer Tim Smith. “The high efficiency rating means it consumes about 80 per cent less energy than a similar-size petrol engine.”
“This will provide the HAVAL with one of the longest ranges of all modern hybrid vehicles. We know that the average daily commute for Australian drivers is around 42 kilometres, which is less than two thirds of the HAVAL’s range.”
