Adhering to the concept of “Five-Link builds what the people need”, Wuling Motors has completed its layout in the MPV, SUV, and compact car markets, and has achieved considerable success in various segmented markets with its high cost performance. In order to further enhance the brand’s premium capability and market share, Wuling’s first sedan product – Wuling Starlight, is about to be launched!
From the previous feedback on the static experience, the new car has performed well in both design and intelligent configuration. However, as the latest self-developed core technologies of SAIC-GM-Wuling, “Wuling Lingxi Hybrid” and “Shenlian Battery,” what kind of driving experience will they bring to the new car is worth looking forward to. Recently, Sina Auto was invited to participate in the Wuling Xingguang dynamic test drive event. How does Wuling’s first sedan perform specifically? Let’s talk about it next. First, the highlights of the new car are as follows:
1. Wuling Starlight is equipped with the Lingxi hybrid system, with the engine achieving a maximum thermal efficiency of 43.2%; the motor achieving a maximum efficiency of 96.8%; and the electronic control achieving a maximum efficiency of 98.8%. 2. Equipped with Wuling’s refined battery and optimized energy flow management, the vehicle achieves ultra-low energy consumption of 3.98L and an ultra-high range of 1100km. 3. Inspired by the starry sky, the design incorporates the charm of light and shadow, with a streamlined figure that embodies a vibrant electric sensation. 4. The 15.6-inch intelligent central control screen and 8.8-inch LCD instrument panel form a suspended intelligent dual-screen technology with a strong sense of Ling OS interaction experience. 5. The front seats can be folded back 180° to be flat with the rear seat cushions, creating a reclining chair. The dual-density foam molding process divides the foam into soft and hard areas, providing overall support and comfort. Wuling’s Lingxi hybrid, combined with the refined battery, delivers high efficiency, energy savings, safety, and comfort.
Due to our previous static appraisal of the new car, today we will first introduce the power and driving performance of the Wuling Xingguang. The pure electric version we test drove this time has a range of 150km and is equipped with Wuling’s latest released hybrid system. The system consists of a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine and a hybrid transmission with a parallel configuration of dual electric motors. The 1.5L naturally aspirated engine has a power of 78 kilowatts, the electric motor has a power of up to 130 kilowatts, and a peak torque of 320 Newton meters. The official WLTC fuel consumption for the new car is only 3.98L per 100 kilometers, with a comprehensive range of 1100km.
In this powertrain, the all-new 1.5L hybrid dedicated engine adopts Atkinson cycle, low friction and lightweight design, fish belly shaped intake duct, intake duct shielding and other technologies, which can enhance the airflow velocity entering the cylinder, and at the same time enhance the mixer swirl ratio, and improve combustion efficiency; the motor applies double-layer short-distance low-harmonic winding, low-loss high-performance silicon steel sheet, low-resistance bearings, rotor skew pole and other technologies and materials, which helps to ensure high efficiency while reducing harmonic losses and iron losses. In this powertrain, the all-new 1.5L hybrid dedicated engine adopts Atkinson cycle, low friction and lightweight design, fish belly shaped intake duct, intake duct shielding and other technologies, which can enhance the airflow velocity entering the cylinder, and at the same time enhance the mixer swirl ratio, and improve combustion efficiency; the motor applies double-layer short-distance low-harmonic winding, low-loss high-performance silicon steel sheet, low-resistance bearings, rotor skew pole and other technologies and materials, which helps to ensure high efficiency while reducing harmonic losses and iron losses.
The Wuling Starlight is equipped with a divine refining battery that uses a lithium iron phosphate cell scheme. By using innovative L-shaped tab to reduce physical impedance, adding a ceramic coating layer to the battery separator to improve thermal stability and reduce thermal conductivity, and further optimizing the lithium iron phosphate positive electrode material. As a result, the energy density of the divine refining battery pack is greater than 165Wh/kg, peak power is greater than 300kW, charge and discharge efficiency is greater than 96%, and cycle charge and discharge life is greater than 6500 times.
After discussing the theory, how does it feel to drive the Wuling Sunshine? First of all, this is a very easy car to handle. Especially compared to the current mainstream compact family sedan, although the Wuling Sunshine has a leading wheelbase of 2800mm in the same class, thanks to the light and precise electric power steering and the 360° panoramic imaging function, drivers can easily and safely drive away or park in narrow spaces.
In the starting price range, the power output of the Wuling Rongguang hybrid version is very responsive, especially in standard mode and sport mode. Just gently stepping on the accelerator pedal can provide a linear and nimble acceleration experience. When the driving mode is adjusted to economy mode or economy mode+, there seems to be some hesitation in the first 1/3 of the accelerator pedal travel, as if it is storing power for later burst, and only a slightly deeper press on the accelerator will provide a smooth acceleration feeling. By the way, when the driving mode is adjusted to economy mode or economy mode+, the energy recovery mode will automatically switch to “strong” mode.
Before reaching a speed of 80km/h, the electric motor exhibits a very obvious and unrestrained output characteristic, providing drivers with full confidence for overtaking in urban driving conditions. However, after reaching 80km/h, the explosive power noticeably diminishes, and there is almost no significant power feedback in the first half of the throttle pedal. Even when the speed reaches 100km/h, the process of increasing speed is very slow, even with the throttle fully pressed.
In terms of chassis hardware, the Wuling Sunshine adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension + rear E-type multi-link independent suspension. This suspension combination is also used in entry-level products of many luxury brands, which is very sincere for the positioning of the Wuling Sunshine at the 100,000 level. From practical experience, the new car can filter out the fine bumps on the road surface very well, and the degree of body roll control is also good when turning. When passing through some bumpy roads on unpaved surfaces, the chassis can also show its flexible side.
However, it is worth mentioning that in terms of the experience of sitting in the second row, although the new car adopts a dual-density foam molding process to partition the foam soft zone and hard zone, which creates favorable conditions for the comfort of the new car in terms of hardware. However, in order to achieve the function of the front seats folding back 180° to be level with the rear seat cushion and form a reclining chair, the second-row seat cushion of the new car is slightly short. For long-distance travel, there may be some discomfort in the legs due to lack of support.
In terms of the transmission system, the new car adopts an electromagnetic DHT hybrid-specific transmission. During the driving process, thanks to the precise speed control of the motor, there is almost no sense of jolt throughout the entire speed range, and the acceleration process is very smooth. At the same time, with the support of electric drive, the internal combustion engine can operate more precisely within the power range, and coupled with a 0.228Cd ultra-low drag design, the energy consumption of the new car is effectively controlled. This time, we conducted a nearly 80-kilometer highway test drive, and in the economy driving mode + standard kinetic energy recovery state, the comprehensive average energy consumption is only 3.6L/km. In terms of the transmission system, the new car is equipped with an electromagnetic DHT hybrid-specific transmission. During the driving process, the motor’s precise speed control ensures a smooth acceleration with almost no jolting sensation. With the support of electric drive, the internal combustion engine operates more precisely within the power range, and combined with a 0.228Cd ultra-low drag design, the new car’s energy consumption is effectively controlled. During our nearly 80-kilometer highway test drive in economy driving mode + standard kinetic energy recovery state, the comprehensive average energy consumption is only 3.6L/km.
The new car’s NVH performance benefits from acoustic treatment in 45 areas of the vehicle, including the front and floor, using a combination of sound absorption, sound insulation, and multiple layers of materials; quiet and nimble tires wrapped with sound insulation cotton inside, effectively reducing tire noise by 17%; using stepless compressor and stepless electronic fan for quiet idling; optimized friction coefficient for the chassis transmission chain, with sulfurized integral bushings for front and rear stabilizer bars; the engine uses a dual hydraulic suspension mechanism to reduce abnormal noise, effectively ensuring a quiet and comfortable cabin when driving on city roads at relatively flat conditions and moderate speeds. However, for cost control, the new car is not equipped with double-layer laminated glass, so wind and engine noise are more noticeable under high-speed conditions. In terms of appearance, the inspiration comes from the starry sky, with a streamlined figure that interprets a full sense of electric vitality.
The Wuling Rongguang’s exterior design is inspired by the starry sky, blending the charm of light and shadow, and the streamlined figure interprets full electric vitality and tension, presenting a fusion of power and beauty. The front grille adopts a wing-like layout design, with the Wuling logo at the center, radiating outward and cleverly integrating with the whole vehicle.
The automatic headlights are powerful, combining full LED lens light sources with high beam assist and steering assist functions, combining aesthetics with practicality. Combined with the starlight lamp group, the horizontal star ring daytime running lights gradually extend diagonally, presenting a vast and boundless sense of space beauty.
The car’s side profile features smooth and dynamic lines, and adopts the popular sloping design of current sedans, with the addition of a circular window frame and bright trim decoration, making it highly recognizable and appealing to young consumers’ aesthetic tastes. The new car is equipped with dynamic starry wheel hubs, and the tires are from the Linglong brand, with a size of 215/50 R18, providing both stability and comfort.
In terms of the rear end, the most eye-catching feature is the futuristic star ring taillight design, which echoes the daytime running lights at the front, and the bright red light lines resemble the lingering meteor trails in the night sky. Below it, there is a large area of black surround, giving it a strong sense of movement. In terms of body size, the length, width, and height of the new car are 4835/1860/1515mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2800mm.
In terms of car body color, Wuling Starlight offers six flowing car colors to choose from: Starlight White, Starry Purple, Starry Green, Starry Gray, Starry Black, and Starry Brown. 4. The minimalist style combined with the design of the front double floating intelligent screen is simple but not simple.
In terms of interior, the Wuling Sunshine adopts a minimalist design style and offers two interior colors: deep black and light sand. The former is matched with gray silver pear wood grain, gold lines layered on top, simple yet textured, and technology without losing warmth; the latter creates a sense of luxury with gentle earth tones. Paired with cloud-like texture faux suede leather, soft and thick, it exudes a modern urban vibe. In terms of interior, the Wuling Sunshine adopts a minimalist design style and offers two interior colors: deep black and light sand. The former is matched with gray silver pear wood grain, gold lines layered on top, simple yet textured, and technology without losing warmth; the latter creates a sense of luxury with gentle earth tones. Paired with cloud-like texture faux suede leather, soft and thick, it exudes a modern urban vibe.
The symmetrical center console, combined with a 15.6-inch intelligent central control screen and an 8.8-inch LCD instrument panel, presents a remarkable technological atmosphere. The new car is equipped with the Ling OS system, with a voice recognition speed of less than 400ms, a wake-up rate of 98%, and support for continuous dialogue within 20 seconds, as well as reminders for low battery, low fuel, fatigue driving, seat belt not fastened, navigation, multimedia, and air conditioning. At the same time, it can achieve mutual communication between mobile phone and car accounts, automatically synchronize navigation information to the car, and solve the problem of “difficult typing” in the car by sharing the location from mobile phone apps such as Amap, WeChat, LINGClub, Meituan, Dianping, and Baidu to the car.
In other aspects, the new car is equipped with a total of 4 USB interfaces, with a maximum charging power of 20W, which is very friendly to the younger generation of car users who are affected by mobile devices. The rear seats are equipped with 2 independent air vents, further ensuring the comfort experience of rear passengers. The 360-degree crystal knob shift lever is not novel in design, but it is exquisitely crafted, with clear damping feedback, and very convenient to operate. Fifth, the widest second-row aisle in the same class brings a more flexible internal space, allowing for a comfortable “lie-flat” experience.
The Starlight adopts a “hugging and pressure-relieving” seat with comprehensive ergonomic design, using dual hardness foam technology to partition the foam soft area and hard area, with a seat-to-body contact area of up to 110,000mm²; the sides of the seat also feature a highly supportive hug-style design, with a concave embedded support in the head and neck area, overall balancing support and comfort. The new car series supports 6-way electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, and the front seats have a very large adjustment angle.
In terms of driving space, the 178cm tall experiencer has about a fist’s worth of head space after adjusting the seat to the appropriate position in the driver’s seat; maintaining the seat position, the experiencer has three fingers of head space in the rear seat, and leg space reaches three fists. Additionally, the new car has a unique “reclining chair design”, the front seats can be folded back 180° to be level with the rear seat cushion to form a reclining chair, allowing for an immersive “lying flat” experience during long trips or leisure time.
The car is designed with 14 storage spaces according to the family car scene. The double-layer multifunctional auxiliary dashboard adopts an upper and lower design, with 6 reserved storage spaces for drinks, mobile phones, keys, small laptop bags, and other items. The new car has a 540L trunk storage space, which can accommodate two 24-inch suitcases and two 20-inch carry-on suitcases at the same time. In addition, there is a 33L hidden storage compartment under the trunk carpet, which can be used to store valuable items. Summary: Currently, the traditional family sedan market products generally have the pain point of “the larger the car, the more fuel it consumes or the larger the car, the higher the price”, while the main force of family sedans, seen as “fuel-efficient benchmarks”, also has the problem of small space. Against this background, an A-level new energy family sedan that can meet the needs of both large space and low fuel consumption has become the first choice for more and more new generation consumers. From the test drive experience of Wuling Xingguang, the new car not only changes the traditional family sedan design with a compact and narrow impression with a long and more atmospheric exterior design, but also creates a more intelligent driving experience for consumers through rich practical configurations and powerful interactive functions. Most importantly, as an entry-level new energy family sedan, Wuling Xingguang relies on the “Wuling Lingxi Hybrid” and “Shenlian Battery” technologies to solve consumers’ concerns about daily commuting energy consumption and long-distance driving safety. Although the new car is not very outstanding in terms of luxury texture performance, for pragmatic consumers, Wuling’s consistent high cost performance is the core competitive advantage of Xingguang. It is reported that Wuling Xingguang will start pre-sale at the 2023 Guangzhou Auto Show and will be officially launched at the end of November or early December. Stay tuned!