Since its debut in 2020, the Changan UNI series has been known for its futuristic, technological, and fashionable characteristics. The models under this series have been well-received by young consumers. In 2024, Changan launched the latest addition to the UNI series – the UNI-Z. The car is named “Z” to symbolize the future and technology. The new car will continue to embody the fashionable and technological attributes of the Changan UNI series. Before its release, we had the opportunity to experience the car statically. Let’s take a look at its highlights.
In terms of appearance, the Changan UNI-Z adopts the UNI family’s versatile design language, with the front end inheriting the UNI series design genes, creating a 6-row, 56-parameterized flying wing borderless grille to create a stronger sense of the future and technology.
The front headlights use LED lights, and their flowing design makes the whole car look more dynamic. When the headlights are turned off, they are hidden inside the parameterized grille, adding a more mysterious sense of technology to the front face. At the same time, unlocking the vehicle and the turn signals have a dynamic flowing effect, creating a full atmosphere.
In the details, the triangular air intakes on both sides of the front bumper are not just decorative, they can reduce wind resistance. And when paired with the grille design, they also provide a good sense of sportiness. It is worth mentioning that the new car’s drag coefficient is only 0.329Cd.
The car’s side profile is compact and dynamic. The roof features a sleek, sloping design. The traditional single curved surface design is abandoned in favor of a double curved surface for the waistline, with straight line cutting design at the lower curve for a more robust and tough look.
The black coating on the B/C/D pillars creates a floating roof effect. The body dimensions are 4730/1890/1680mm (L/W/H) with a wheelbase of 2795mm.
The car is equipped with 20-inch petal-style wheels, which complement the body and give the side a more powerful look. The matching tires are 245/50 R20 Chaoyang brand tires.
The rear of the car has a smooth and full design with a strong UNI family style. The sloping roof creates a coupe-style design, combined with a mechanical rear wing design, giving it a strong sporty look overall.
In addition, the new car continues to be equipped with the popular through-type light group design, with 216 built-in LED light sources. When lit up at night, the two sides resemble spreading wings, presenting a dynamic visual effect of light wings. Like the front headlights, unlocking the vehicle also has a very ceremonial welcome interaction effect.
The new car also supports unlocking in 5 ways: facial recognition, Bluetooth key, remote key, mobile app, and friend mode, adapting to more usage scenarios.
In the interior, Changan UNI-Z adopts a one-piece wrap-around cockpit design, with a minimalist design style that conforms to the current design trend. The large suspended screen on the center console enhances the technological sense of the interior. Combined with the hierarchical information layout, it adds more intelligent fun to human-machine interaction.
At the same time, the center console, armrest, and door panels are all wrapped in large areas of soft leather, creating a high-quality interior feel.
The all-new dual-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel has a stylish and modern design, which is very appealing to the aesthetic of young people today.
In terms of intelligent configuration, the Changan UNI-Z has a 14.6-inch multimedia screen with a minimalist floating design, which looks clean and technological. The built-in intelligent interactive system also adopts a new UI interface, with an overall more flat style.
In terms of functionality, the new car also has the necessary functions of current intelligent car machines, such as online maps, online music, car apps, mobile phone projection, gesture control, and intelligent voice control.
It is worth mentioning that the new car also has in-car online voice function. When the key is sensed within a 4-meter range of the vehicle, music playback, automatic parking, light show, unlocking the vehicle, opening and closing the trunk, and setting navigation can be controlled through voice commands outside the vehicle. In addition, it also supports external intercom and shouting functions. Long press the voice button in the car to realize real-time shouting from the car to the outside. At the same time, you can also pre-record intercom functions, such as when stuck in traffic, you can use pre-recorded phrases like “let me go first, big brother,” which are both polite and humorous, and can greatly reduce road rage.
In terms of safety, the new car is equipped with FaceID 3.0 facial recognition system. When the system recognizes, it can automatically unlock/lock the vehicle, start the ignition, and automatically log in to the car app account. It can also adjust the driver and passenger seats and rearview mirrors to the memory position, which is very intelligent and convenient.
In terms of intelligent driving assistance, the new car will come standard with L2 level driving assistance system, including ACC full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, emergency lane correction, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, integrated adaptive cruise control, automatic speed limit assistance, automatic high beam, and lane departure warning functions.
In addition, a warship-shaped component with lights similar to a nuclear reactor is arranged near the front windshield on the central control panel of the Changan UNI-Z, giving it a futuristic look. It can be used as an ambient light in daily use, and can interact with the vehicle’s driving status to provide users with an immersive future technology driving experience.
In terms of seating, the Changan UNI-Z adopts a very sporty one-piece seat design, with diamond-shaped perforated seat back and soft filling, providing strong support for the shoulders and waist, and strong comfort. The actual shooting model also supports 8-way electric adjustment, and is equipped with heating/ventilation functions.
The second-row seats feel softer and more comfortable, with sufficient cushion length and a gentle backrest angle for a comfortable ride.
In terms of space, with my height of 1.9m, I adjusted the front seat position, the rear seat still has a very spacious head and legroom, with at least a fist’s distance, and the central floor is designed to be flat. When three adult males sit in the rear at the same time, comfort is also guaranteed.
The trunk is flat, and when the rear seats are folded down, it can also form a flat storage space, which is practical. In addition, there is a very considerable storage space under the trunk floor, and it is layered, making it very convenient to place small items such as car cloths and glass water.
In terms of power, the Changan UNI-Z will be equipped with the brand-new hybrid system developed by Changan Automobile. According to the official introduction, the hybrid system, which took Changan Automobile 27 months to develop, not only performs outstandingly in various basic performance aspects but also brings a revolutionary driving experience. Therefore, its driving experience is very much worth looking forward to.
Overall, the Changan UNI-Z still embodies the label of youth and technology of the UNI family from design to configuration, and is more in line with the current trend in intelligence. In addition, in terms of power, the new car is also equipped with a more advanced hybrid system, which is expected to have better performance in energy consumption, power, and driving experience. The new car is expected to be officially launched in the first quarter, with an expected price of 150,000 yuan (20870$). However, considering the current price war, I believe the launch price will give us more surprises.