When cars began to enter thousands of households in China, sedans have been the only "orthodox" in the minds of consumers for a long time. Therefore, hatchbacks are very popular abroad. After entering the domestic market, it was seriously "acclimatized" and did not change until many years later.
The current domestic passenger car market is almost equally divided between sedans and SUVs, and even MPVs only account for a small market share. However, it is worth noting that sedans are the most all-encompassing of the three categories. Some of them are unique products that are even difficult to define, like the Chevrolet Volando we tested this time. .
Taking "diversity" to the extreme
According to the classification of mainstream car portals, Chevrolet is a compact hatchback, a type of sedan, but it can be regarded as a real When it stops in front of you, you may feel that you have some misunderstanding about the concept of "hatchback". Because in everyone's mind, the typical representatives of hatchbacks are small cars like the Volkswagen Golf and Honda Fit, which are just over four meters long and have a wheelbase of about 2.6 meters. Even the Nissan Liwei, which can accommodate a double-door refrigerator, is also long. It is only 4249 mm and has a wheelbase of only 2600 mm. The Volando is 4684 mm long and has a wheelbase of 2796 mm. It may be the largest "hatchback sedan" currently on sale.
But apart from Volando, who has seen other "7-seater cars"? Is it unexpected again? After all, 7-seater cars have always been the "patent" of SUVs and MPVs, and 5-seater cars are the absolute orthodoxy. However, Volando does not. It takes an unusual path and achieves "diversification" to the extreme. For example, its ground clearance is higher than that of a sedan, so it has better passability; its seat layout is also richer than that of a sedan, comparable to an MPV model; and from a distance, it is not as bulky as a traditional SUV. Even the closest station wagon to it, there is no 7-seat model that can compare with it, so the Volando is essentially in a league of its own.
If you think that Volando is deliberately "funny", you are totally wrong. Because it really combines the advantages of cars, SUVs and MPVs while avoiding their shortcomings. The 2+3+2 seat layout alone is very popular. The rear two rows of seats can be completely folded flat; the second row of seats can not only be folded down proportionally, but also can be adjusted forward and backward and the backrest is adjusted; the third row has two seats. It is an independent seat that can be unfolded or folded by adults with one hand. The operation is very simple. If you've browsed the market and haven't found a model you like, maybe it's the one that catches your eye.
The 48V mild hybrid is the highlight
Of course, Volando is not a brand-new model that has just been launched. It was already launched in September 2018, and we tested it this time It is the 2020 Volando 48V light hybrid version launched in June this year. I believe many netizens have heard of this technology, so what surprises does it bring to us on Volando?
Volando is equipped with a new generation of Ecotec dual-injection turbocharged engine. Although the displacement is only 1.3 liters, the maximum power is as high as 120kW, the maximum torque is 230N·m, and the power per liter can reach 88.89kW/L. It is comparable to the 2.0L naturally aspirated engine and meets the stringent National VI b emission standards. It is matched with a 6-speed DSS intelligent start-stop gearbox. By perfectly integrating 48V mild hybrid technology into the power drive system based on the "single-cylinder optimization" concept, it not only reduces fuel consumption by about 10%, but also comprehensively improves driving quality.
For example, when starting, the 48V system works before the engine to achieve pure electric start, making the vehicle start response faster and smoother; when the vehicle accelerates, the engine and the 48V system generate power at the same time, effectively reducing fuel consumption. and emissions. When the engine is running at high speed and low load, the 48V system enters the intelligent charging mode to charge the 48V power battery. Braking energy recovery is performed when the vehicle is coasting without fuel and decelerating under braking. When the vehicle is idling and coasting, the 48V system outputs electric torque to maintain engine speed, effectively reducing fuel consumption and solving the energy supply problem for the vehicle's air conditioning system in start-stop mode.
Many people always think that the 48V mild hybrid system is useless, but in actual use, we can clearly feel the improvement in driving experience it brings, maybe it is not as good as a plug-in hybrid The vehicle relies solely on the motor to drive the vehicle, but it is like a powerful assistant, busy around the engine and helping it at critical moments. It is still necessary to exist.
The "American style" that makes people fall in love with it
Perhaps some domestic consumers are a little unfamiliar with the Chevrolet brand, but it does have a brand history of more than a hundred years and enjoys a high reputation around the world. , its models also have typical American styles, such as stylish design, good handling, high safety, rich configurations, etc. Volando is remarkable in these aspects.
In terms of design, although Volando is mainly for home use, it is not boring and is full of sporty and combat atmosphere. The high-gloss black trapezoidal double grille on the front face is majestic, and the fang air ducts on both sides are both beautiful and practical. The entire series comes standard with 17-inch wheels, simple rearview mirrors, high-gloss black decorated luggage racks and window sills. , coupled with many red embellishments, the atmosphere is delicate yet lively.
In terms of control, all Volando series are equipped with a class-leading four-wheel independent suspension as standard, and also have an optional steering assist mode, taking into account control fun and driving comfort; in addition, it is also equipped with a full-frame The subframe is connected to the body through 4 rubber bushings + 4 rigid connection points, and performs multi-level vibration isolation on road feedback, so during driving, you can clearly feel that the chassis is very solid, but not stiff, like tight muscles. young man.
In terms of safety, Volando’s body is made of 69% high-strength steel (including 15.8% ultra-high-strength steel), which increases the strength of the sheet metal of each row, especially the third row of floors. It adopts H-shaped beam structure design, plasma brazing process is used in the four-door area, and the roof and sunroof are laser welded. The final body structure stiffness reaches 16.9KN.mm/deg, which is 44% higher than the same level of cars. It is the safest American car. Performance has never let us down.
In terms of configuration, Volando also doesn’t like to go around corners. Not only is the entire series equipped with a 48V light-hybrid system in terms of power, but it is also equipped with LED daytime running lights, LED headlights and LED taillights as standard. , four-window one-button lift, fully automatic air conditioning, 20-function ESC electronic stability system, HSA hill start assist, independent digital tire pressure monitoring, electronic handbrake, 6-speaker original theater-level audio, etc., even if you buy an entry-level model It won't be embarrassing either.
Of course, Chevrolet Volando is not a "big boss" and has made some achievements in in-car Internet technology. It is equipped with an 8-inch touch central control screen, built-in personalized cloud account, Mychevy? APP application (including Amap, real-time information, etc.), smartphone mapping system (supports Apple CarPlay/Baidu CarLife, and adds wireless multi-screen mapping function) , natural speech recognition, Bluetooth phone/music, intelligent hybrid navigation, WeChat teaming and other rich functions, and also supports OTA online upgrades.
The most noteworthy thing is the new generation of OnStar intelligent car connection system equipped with Volando, which is equivalent to equipping the vehicle with a bodyguard, which can automatically call for help after a collision and when the vehicle is stolen. It can perform positioning and remote control, and also has many exclusive services such as vehicle condition detection, in-car Wi-Fi, and 24-hour customer service consultants. It can be said to be a family car that enjoys the treatment of a luxury car.
Conclusion: The family sedan market has always been the most competitive market segment. Car companies are generally willing to cater to consumers and work hard in the sedan field. However, with the growth of family sedan consumer groups, Younger people have richer expectations and imaginations for products, and are more willing to show their own personalities. Chevrolet Volando represents a bold innovation and attempt, providing current consumers with a more diversified choice.
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.