Ministry of Industry and Information Technology new car quick review: smart #5 m
In the latest batch of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's new vehicle application directory, although the number of new energy vehicle models is not as high as in previous periods, there are still a few notable ones. From a trend perspective, pure electric off-road vehicles have become a new track, with the Equation Leopard 3 and the smart #5 facing off head-to-head. In addition, new cars like the Ledao L60 and the Xiaopeng M03, which have already revealed most of their secrets, have officially announced their size information.
01
Equation Leopard 3: A pure electric replacement for the Jimny?
At present, the monthly sales of the BYD Equation Leopard 5 have stabilized at around 3,000 units, losing the momentum of the first few months when it was at 5,000 units. The reason might be the intense competition in the tough off-road vehicle segment, or it could be that the Equation Leopard has released two more models, the Leopard 8 and Leopard 3, causing consumers to hold off on their purchases.The new model of the Equation Leopard 3 is available only in a pure electric version, without a range-extender hybrid option, indicating that the Equation Leopard's focus for urban tough off-roading is centered around pure electric power. The vehicle's dimensions are quite compact: the length is 4605mm, the width is 1900mm, the height is 1720mm, and the wheelbase is 2745mm, roughly comparable to models like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
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The overall design of the Leopard 3 is square and robust, with full and hard exterior lines that exude a retro off-road vehicle vibe. The entire car features muscular lines, with prominent bulges around the front and rear wheel arches and side skirts, complemented by slightly rounded curves, giving it a look reminiscent of off-road vehicles in comic books.
The front fascia features a flying-wing headlight design, which reminds me of the short-wheelbase Mitsubishi Pajero. As a pure electric vehicle, the front end remains closed, but it is adorned with a through-line double LED daytime running light. The front bumper takes on an X-shape, with the trapezoidal skid plate below treated in two colors, creating a sense of an independent front bumper.
The bodywork includes hidden door handles, privacy glass for the rear passengers, black window trim, and a black roof rack, all contributing to a sense of refinement. At the rear, there is a small trapezoidal spare tire cover, a spoiler on the roof, and parallel flying-wing taillights, with the rear bumper's trapezoidal design echoing the front fascia's shape.A detail is that the Leopard 3 has a right-side door opening, with the door handle located at the bottom right corner and the hinge on the left side. Moreover, there is a contrasting choice of yellow decorative pieces on the front and rear bumpers, which gives it a more cartoonish feel.
Overall, the design of the Leopard 3 is quite exquisite. Although the car model is not large, the sense of detail is more abundant than the Leopard 5, and it is clearly tailored to the aesthetic needs of young consumers, making it more cute and appealing. Even female drivers would find it harmonious.
In terms of configuration, the new car offers a choice of 18 or 19-inch wheels in four different styles, as well as different brake caliper colors. A panoramic sunroof comes standard across the range, and privacy glass for the rear seats is an optional extra. The rest of the features should be standard, but there are no so-called lidar systems, so the assisted driving features are likely to be quite basic.
Regarding power, the Leopard 3 uses dual motors with 110kW/200kW, achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 201 kph. It is estimated that it could also support features like tank turn maneuvers. The use of lithium iron phosphate batteries is not surprising, but the vehicle's weight reaches 2150kg.Personal speculation suggests that the new car's pricing might be around 250,000 yuan, targeting the entry-level pure electric off-road vehicle market to compete with the Tank 300 Hi4-T. Alternatively, it could be a pure electric alternative to fun products like the Jimny. The question, however, is whether a pure electric off-road vehicle like the Leopard 3, which cannot achieve long-range endurance, can truly tap into the niche market of "recreational off-roading."
02
BYD Song L DM-i: Expected to Become a New Hit in the Dynasty Network
BYD previously teased the release of the Song L DM-i, but the Song L DM-i announced this time is not a product of the same platform as the previous pure electric Song L. The new car is more likely to be a replacement for the Song PLUS platform.
The Song L DM-i that was filed this time is clearly a continuation of the Dynasty Network's design. It has added a large grille to the front headlight design of the existing pure electric Song L, adopting a dot-matrix decorative strip design. The air intakes on both sides also have a hexagonal outline, similar to the design of the Qin L. Additionally, the lower bumper features a handlebar mustache design, making the front more sporty. Compared to the more futuristic exterior design of the pure electric Song L, the Song L DM-i has returned to a more traditional fuel vehicle design style, which is more stable.It is worth noting that the side design of the Song L DM-i is more cost-effective, with black wheel arches and side skirts all made of black hard plastic parts, and the entire body of the car is more tall. The new car uses a silver trim along the upper edge of the window line, which continues to the D-pillar, adding a sense of refinement. At the same time, the body waist line is also a brand-new design, which is different from the Song PLUS and Song L, and is made shallower and more tense.
The rear design features a through-type taillight, with a slender horizontal line design in the middle of the light group. It is quite unexpected that there is a split line in the middle of the entire tailgate, and it is not clear whether this design means that the car can have a split-opening method for the trunk door - the upper and lower halves can be opened separately, otherwise, there is no reason to make a split line here.
In terms of size, the new car has a length, width, and height of 4780/1898/1670mm, with a wheelbase of 2782mm, and front and rear wheel distances of 1637/1641mm. These dimensions do not quite match the existing BYD models, and the closest one is the Song PLUS, but the wheelbase is slightly larger than that of the Song PLUS.
In terms of configuration, the new car has 18 and 19-inch wheels, four types of wheel styles, and a panoramic sunroof as standard. The only optional configuration is the front and rear side radar, indicating that the overall basic configuration is relatively high. However, the tail label declared also has a "Song" without the L letter mark.The powertrain, as expected, is a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering 74kW, with an electric motor power of 160kW, which should also be part of BYD's latest DM5.0 system.
Overall, this Song L DM-i actually doesn't have much in common with the pure electric Song L; it's more like a replacement product for the Song PLUS in the Dynasty Network, and it can also be seen as the Dynasty Network reclaiming one of its most valued models. After all, the Song PLUS was once BYD's best-selling model and a mainstay in the 150,000 yuan class SUV market.
Next, BYD's Dynasty Network will have three main SUV products in the 120,000-200,000 yuan segment: the Song Pro, Song L DM-i, and Song L EV. The price of the Song L DM-i is on the verge of being announced, and it is highly likely to be in the range of 130,000-160,000 yuan, with the potential to become a new hit for the Dynasty Network.
By the way, the Ocean Network's Seal DM-i has also reappeared on the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's list, renamed as Seal 07 DM-i. The powertrain has been upgraded to a combination of a 74kW 1.5L naturally aspirated engine + 160kW electric motor and a 115kW 1.5T + 200kW electric motor, which is also expected to be part of the DM5.0 system.Ledao L60: Market Launch Price May Fall Below 200,000 Yuan
Previously, at the Ledao brand's launch event, information about the first model, the L60, was largely disclosed. This time, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology mainly exposed some detailed parameters with precision.
The Ledao L60 has exterior dimensions of 4828/1930/1616mm, a wheelbase of 2950mm, and track widths of 1666/1677mm. Compared to the smallest size of NIO's ET5, the body data is even smaller. This might also be the reason why the Ledao L60 is not compatible with NIO's first and second generation battery swap stations, as there are significant changes in the entire chassis size.
The new car will offer wheel specifications of 19 inches and 20 inches, along with four types of low drag designs. Another cost-saving aspect is that the high-gloss black front and rear bumper trims, wheel arches, and window frames are optional, with the lower trims featuring only black plastic styles.According to the application information, the curb weight of the Ledao L60 is 1955kg/1970kg for one group and 1885kg/1900kg for another, which should be the weight difference between the single and dual motor versions, with a difference of about 70kg. Moreover, the lower trim model is lighter than the Tesla Model Y, indicating that the vehicle has been well optimized for lightweight design.
In terms of powertrain, the Ledao L60 will have a single motor version, with an expected rear-wheel-drive single motor output of 240kW, and the all-wheel-drive version will have dual motors with outputs of 100/240kW.
Since the application model does not have many optional configurations, the officially listed models should all come standard with features including a sunroof and panoramic camera, so the experience difference should not be significant. Additionally, the new car does not have lidar, and the two protrusions on the roof are high-definition cameras, suggesting that the Ledao L60 is preparing to adopt a pure vision recognition system across the entire lineup.
Looking at the information for this car, the pre-sale price of 219,900 yuan should still have room to go down a bit, could it be 199,000 yuan? We will have to wait and see.Lynk & Co Z10: Potentially Outshining Xiaomi SU7 with Competitive Pricing
Before the official announcement from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Lynk & Co Z10 had already unveiled the static details of the vehicle. In this MIIT announcement, a new gold color was added, which exudes a more premium feel, and it is said that there will also be a pure white version.
From this announcement, it can be observed that the powertrain and battery combination of the Lynk & Co Z10 are quite complex, with as many as four options, indicating that the Z10 is trying to find its niche in the market.
- 400V platform, Wei Rui 200kW electric motor, Quzhou Jidian lithium iron phosphate battery, 2275kg, with options for 19-inch or 21-inch rims;
- 800V platform, Quzhou 310kW electric motor, Quzhou Jidian lithium iron phosphate battery, 2318kg, with options for 19-inch or 21-inch rims;-400V platform, Weirui 200kW electric motor, Quzhou Jidian lithium iron phosphate battery, 2098kg, standard 19-inch wheels;
-800V platform, Quzhou 270/310kW electric motor, Quzhou Jidian lithium iron phosphate battery, 2468kg, standard 21-inch wheels.
In terms of configuration, the wing mirror cameras, LiDAR, and electric spoiler of the Lynk & Co Z10 are optional extras, as is the air suspension and privacy glass. An interesting detail is that the black trim on the rear of the hood and the rear of the previously photographed model can be chosen to match the body color.
It can be seen that the Lynk & Co Z10 is clearly a product that takes cost into consideration, continuing to use the 400V platform with a 200kW Weirui electric motor, which should be relatively low in cost and creates a technological gap with the Zeekr 001. It does not even use the new 250kW electric motor featured on the Galaxy E8, making a clear differentiation. The mid-range model only has an 800V 310kW electric motor, and the top configuration is a dual-motor combination, also maintaining Lynk & Co's high-end positioning.Moreover, considering the vehicle weight, there should be two types of battery packs, the Gold Brick battery with 75 kWh and 100 kWh. This implies that the lower-end model may be priced below 200,000 yuan, aligning directly with Xiaomi SU7 and Jikrypton 007, and not directly competing with Jikrypton 001. If the entry-level model of the Lynk & Co Z10 is positioned at a price of 189,000 yuan, even though it only has a 400V, 200kW electric motor combination, it is 30,000 yuan cheaper than the Xiaomi SU7. Do you think the Lynk & Co Z10 still has a chance?
05
Xpeng M03: A "Simple" Commuter Sedan
The first model of the Xpeng MONA series is named M03, which actually indicates that MONA will not be released as a second brand, but rather as a new product series.The Xiaopeng M03 is quite plain in appearance, with few memorable features beyond the T-shaped headlights. Essentially, it's a simple family sedan for commuting. The new car's treatment of the front lines is a bit odd, including the lines of the hood leading down to the front bumper, forming a square shape in the area where the fog lights would normally be, lacking a youthful feel.
The side dimensions, thanks to the elongated body, look relatively normal in proportion. The design without a waistline and the hidden door handles are standard stylistic choices, but there is also a design for the rear shoulder line. The rear design also echoes the T-shaped design of the front lights, but with a pressed spoiler, giving it a slight sense of sportiness, yet still lacking in design details.
It can also be noted that the tail badge simply reads "XPENG" and "M03" without any "MONA" inscription. Additionally, Xiaopeng has applied for a "D03" tail badge, the meaning of which is unclear, perhaps it's for Didi exclusive use?
The Xiaopeng M03 is not small in size, with dimensions of 4780/1896/1445mm and a wheelbase of 2815mm, which could be considered an A+ or B- class vehicle. However, its positioning is clearly aimed at the mainstream family sedan market like the Corolla, focusing on offering a spacious interior.In terms of configuration, the new car offers wheels in 17, 18, and 19-inch sizes, with three different wheel styles available, as well as a set of black calipers. Additionally, the headlights feature a blackened design, and there are black window frames, among other details.
Regarding the powertrain, the Xiaopeng M03 will have two electric motor options: 140kW and 160kW. However, the supplier of the 160kW motor is a company called "Fischer Green Energy," which is not widely known. The battery pack comes from BYD's Feidi battery, with a full series of lithium iron phosphate batteries.
As for intelligent configurations, Xiaopeng has previously stated that the level of intelligence will be high, and there will be a high-level smart driving solution based on a pure vision system. However, this time there is also a version without side cameras in the application, indicating that smart driving will not be a standard feature, even if it is reduced to a pure vision system. This may also suggest that the price of the Xiaopeng M03 could be very competitive, potentially starting just over 100,000 yuan for this pure electric sedan.
06
smart #5: Breaking through size and performance limitations.Smart has abruptly unveiled the Elf 5, which seems to have come a bit hastily. Regarding the most recent Smart #5 filing information announced by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the most direct impression is that this vehicle is by no means small, and the color options are truly abundant.
In terms of dimensions, the Smart #5 has a body length of 4705mm, a body width of 1920mm, a body height of 1705mm, and a wheelbase of 2900mm. A 2.9-meter Smart is indeed a bit exaggerated, essentially reaching the size of a mid-size SUV, so in essence, this model should be considered the "mini G-Class" that has been planned within the Mercedes-Benz system.
In terms of styling, the Smart #5 actually looks quite good after a while, continuing the design style of a tough off-road vehicle, but with a bit more roundness. For example, you can see the square outline of the shape, yet there are numerous rounded chamfers, and the overall design framework remains quite rugged. Speaking of which, the entire design is very similar to the style of the current Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Another characteristic of the tough off-road style is actually the use of four elliptical design elements, similar to the vertical grille used by tough off-road vehicles. The two-tone front bumper and skid plate design also give a very off-road vehicle feel.The front fascia features a reverse C-shaped lighting design, with a smart electric family-style full-width light bar in the middle. However, the side headlights no longer use the rounded semi-circular design but adopt a trapezoidal shape, with a double-layer LED light group in the middle – this is somewhat similar to the G-Class. Additionally, the entire rear design echoes the front, with all elements being similar.
The new car utilizes a waistline-free design and hidden door handles, while the entire window shape is more robust. The side also retains the hard plastic wheel arch and side skirt design, which can reduce the visual thickness of the vehicle. Moreover, the smart logo design is also retained on the D-pillar.
In terms of configuration, the new car offers at least six body colors, including very bright red and bright yellow options, and there are various color-contrasting treatments, which are very fashionable.
The wheels come in two sizes, 19 inches and 20 inches, with at least four styles, and the calipers are available in different colors. Optional configurations even include LiDAR, and features like surround-view cameras, privacy glass, and dashcams are all selectable.In terms of powertrain, it can be clearly stated that there is an option for an 800V platform, as the most powerful dual-motor version combines 165/310kW, paired with ternary lithium batteries. Additionally, the new vehicle features a single-motor version with 267kW, which is a new motor and is likely a derated version of the 800V platform's 310kW motor. This 267kW motor can also be combined with a 165kW motor to form a slightly lower-powered dual-motor version, which implies that the 475kW dual-motor version should be the Brabus edition.
However, as an entry-level version, especially for the overseas market, the smart #5 also has a 400V version with an output of 250kW, which is the same as the one reported for the Galaxy E8.
Overall, the smart #5 is indeed a significant breakthrough for the brand. It is no longer confined to a small size positioning but expands its product line to the mid-size SUV market, which will further broaden its consumer base. Moreover, for smart, once the size limitations are overcome, the most important aspect is that it is no longer restricted in terms of performance, and it can also avoid competition with MINI's pure electric products, allowing for more flexibility in pricing.
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