With so many advantages to PHEVs like the Roewe D7, why are people still touting electric vehicles?
SAIC-owned Roewe has made headlines by setting a Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled by a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). On October 28, the company announced that its Roewe D7 DMH sedan covered an impressive distance of 2,208 kilometres on a single fuel and charge cycle.
During this record-setting journey, the vehicle achieved an average fuel consumption of just 2.49 litres per 100 kilometres. With this achievement, Roewe joins other major Chinese automakers, such as BYD, Geely, and Chery, which also boast PHEVs capable of exceeding a 2,000-kilometre combined range.
Moreover, the record was set over a four-day trek from Lanzhou to Urumqi, with the car passing through several notable locations, including Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, and Turpan. Turpan is known for its extreme temperatures and is often utilised by manufacturers to test vehicles under challenging heat conditions.
During the record attempt, the temperature fluctuated significantly, with a 30-degree difference between day and night. The lowest temperature recorded was -8°C, and the journey involved a change in altitude of 1,600 metres, adding further complexity to the drive.
The Roewe D7 DMH was also introduced to the market in November 2023, but it remains unclear if the record was achieved using the existing PHEV model or a new variant. The specifications released highlight that the vehicle’s 1.5-liter engine features a remarkable 43 percent thermal efficiency and an ultra-high compression ratio of 16:1.
On top of that, it operates under the most fuel-efficient conditions over 85 percent of the time, optimising performance according to varying driving conditions. This naturally aspirated engine produces a maximum power output of 82kW and up to 135Nm of torque. It is paired with a coaxial P1 drive unit that simplifies the transmission system by reducing the number of gears by two.
The vehicle employs a 1-speed DHT hybrid transmission, with the electric motor mounted on the front axle capable of delivering 150 kW of power and 330Nm of torque. In terms of dimensions, the Roewe D7 measures 4,890 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width and 1,510 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,810 mm.
This combination of advanced engineering and efficient performance underscores Roewe’s commitment to innovation in the automotive industry. We got all this from CarNewsChina and their full article is linked here. Thank you CarNewsChina for the information and images.
