Toyota TNGA architecture, Volkswagen MQB platform, Hyundai Kia i-GMP platform, Renault Nissan CMF platform...Chinese brands are not idle either, Great Wall Lemon Platform, Geely CMA super matrix, GAC GPMA Platform...
In fact, many brands have already talked about platforms, but Toyota's TNGA architecture has once again set off a trend. In recent years, Chinese brands have increasingly told stories about their architecture platforms, and Chery Xingtu, a science and engineering man, also came up with the "M3X Mars Architecture" to chat with everyone.
In order to better understand Xingtu’s “M3X Mars Architecture”, we need an idea: First, understand what is the difference between platform and architecture? Then figure out, what are the advantages of the architecture? Only in the end can we understand the advantages of Xingtu's "M3X Mars architecture".
What is the difference between architecture and platform?
Why does Xingtu, as a high-end brand of Chery, just now bring up the "structure" to talk about it? In addition to "following the trend", it is mainly for self-evidence and self-clarification. Because many people think that Xingtu's "Chery flavor" is too strong, and it cannot be said to be high-end. It’s no wonder that these melon-eating people are interested. After all, Xingtu’s product platform and technology originated from Chery. However, Xingtu is really higher than Chery.
Chery’s product layout has three major platform architecture technologies, namely T1X, M1X and M3X. Among them, T1X produces mid- to low-end SUV products such as the Chery Tiggo series and Jietu series; M1X produces Chery Arrizo series sedan products; and M3X produces high-standard Xingtu series SUV products. Therefore, let alone say that Xingtu is a refined version of Chery, they are completely different from each other!
What M3X is, we will talk about it later. Looking back at the history of automobile production and manufacturing, from the earliest days when screws were not common between different models, to later platform technology, until the concept of "architecture" has appeared frequently in recent years. Automotive platform technology is mainly used in production lines for different models. Its value lies in the willingness of car companies to reduce design costs and improve production efficiency.
For example, Volkswagen's MQB is a more advanced platform than PQ. Both are platforms. However, according to the feedback of many car owners, the seventh-generation golf based on MQB has many problems, including the use of materials. On the contrary, it is not as good as the sixth-generation golf on the "old" PQ35 platform. Therefore, the biggest beneficiaries of the "upgrade" of platform technology are actually manufacturers, not consumers.
The architecture system extends from the "assembly" of the physical level of the "platform" to the "same rules" of the design level and modularization in the manufacturing process. It includes both the "platform" and a higher level concept synergy.
In the past, various parts of the car, such as the seat frame, steering system, and even the accelerator and brake pedal, were developed independently for each model.
The changes in the development process after the introduction of "architecture" are based on the design and development of vehicle model axes and component axes, and the commonality of advantageous components. In other words, "architecture" is the latest product of the times and is superior to "platform".
"Architecture" is the latest product of the times
In the past, platform technology, models on the same platform were nothing more than making a fuss about size, shape and power system, but why are the same Can the models under the architecture system be so rich? The wheelbase, wheelbase and ground distance are all variable; the drive forms of front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive are variable; and even the power unit (covering traditional fuel power, high-performance power, HEV hybrid power, PHEV plug-in hybrid power and EV pure electric power) ) is also variable.
Modular architecture has a more tolerant acceptance of technology than a "platform" and is more technologically advanced than a platform. The modular architecture system is a set of car-making concepts and mechanisms. It can create personalized and differentiated products while meeting a large number of convergent consumer needs. Safety, comfort and intelligence have been further improved. It means that the products cultivated in the "architecture" have "higher IQ and stronger humanized technology".
At present, Xingtu’s “M3X Mars Architecture” and Toyota TNGA are both world-class modular architecture systems. The "architecture" of most automobile manufacturers emphasizes compatibility and driving control. Today, let's talk about consumers' "no sense" safety.
Because "safety" is difficult for consumers to experience and perceive, if the "safety" of the vehicle is reflected, it will become a test drive accident. After all, the Xingtu M3X architecture has done more work on security.
From high global R&D standards, to in-house experiments (there are not many manufacturers with in-house crash testing capabilities!), and finally to standard assessment for mass production.
"M3X Mars Architecture" is based on safety
What does Xingtu's "M3X Mars Architecture" mean? M is the English abbreviation of Mars; 3 is the three living things in our Chinese "Tao Te Ching"; X represents infinite possibilities, which is the multiple compatibility mentioned above.
In the process of building the M3X Mars architecture, Xingtu relied on the R&D center in Europe, that is, Frankfurt, Germany, as the main body, combined with the Shanghai R&D center and the Wuhu R&D center to work together with Chery’s complete development system Built for the foundation.
From a safety perspective, both the body structure, chassis structure and intelligent architecture have achieved passive safety and active safety, including all-round security protection of the entire environmental safety and information security. Simply put, vehicle safety is divided into active and passive safety, as well as the safety of people inside and outside the vehicle. Xingtu perfectly integrates active safety and passive safety to avoid collisions as much as possible.
What if there is a collision? Products under Xingtu's "M3X Mars Architecture" have a high-strength steel coverage rate of 78%, a B-pillar tensile strength of 1500MPA, a new hot-dip aluminum-silicon coated sheet material, and a minimum braking distance of 36.5 meters.
These hardware and performance indicators are all designed to effectively improve passive safety. Therefore, TXL, which was born out of Xingtu's "M3X Mars architecture", received the highest score in the history of mid-level SUV C-NCAP under the internationally leading evaluation system.
At this time, there will definitely be some scammers who will jump out and ask, "What is the meaning of obtaining 'five-star safety' from C-NCAP, a 'five-star wholesaler'?"
China Insurance Research Institute has gone silent since the Guangzhou Automobile Honda Haoying incident, but China Insurance Research Institute C-NCAP has become active. In addition to adjusting test standard items, model collision results have also been announced one after another.
It is understood that after the launch of C-NCAP in 2006, China's collision standards have improved year by year. The international NCAP organization has considered China's C-NCAP evaluation standards to be among the top three in the world.
It is understood that Chery took the lead in building China’s collision laboratory in 2008. It is the first domestic laboratory that can meet American standards and can meet all global standards. It is also the only one authorized and recognized by the National Development and Reform Commission. National Engineering Laboratory, this engineering laboratory was put into use in 2010, so Xingtu's products meet all crash standards. It is based on a large amount of development and verification that Xingtu has created an excellent body structure.
Finally
No matter how smart the vehicle system is, no matter how powerful the power is, no matter how comfortable the driving experience is, these are not worth mentioning in the face of safety performance. Among Chinese brands, Chery's R&D capabilities are recognized, but they just don't bother to talk about it, typical of male engineers.
Design and development ensure product quality, a large number of experimental verifications in the R&D process, and the establishment of lean production processes and tools. This is the "M3X Mars Architecture". Chery's latest and best technologies are given priority for use in Xingtu. Do you still think that Xingtu is just a "finely decorated" version of Chery?
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.