The combination of new energy and off-road vehicles divides into two factions. One faction insists on non-decoupled four-wheel drive, preserving the vehicle’s core genes. The other faction adopts decoupled four-wheel drive, emphasizing power and electric drive. Neither technical route is superior; consumers can choose based on their needs. Great Wall’s off-road vehicles have followed the first faction’s route, like several new Hi4-T models. Recently, Great Wall introduced the Hi4-Z architecture, featuring a decoupled design for the first time. The Tank 500 will be the first vehicle equipped with the Hi4-Z architecture. Today, we will explore the capabilities of the Hi4-Z through this model. We also collected questions from Weibo users about this new vehicle. Let’s quickly go through them before diving into the details. 1. What changes in design? The exterior design remains almost unchanged, with dimensions identical to the Tank 500 Hi4-T. 2. Are there configuration upgrades? The main upgrade lies in the vehicle’s system. It now uses the latest Coffee OS, enhancing the smart experience. 3. How is the power performance? The engine plus dual motors deliver a total power of 863 horsepower. The system torque reaches 1195 N·m. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. This new vehicle becomes the most powerful Tank 500 model. 4. How is the energy consumption? The measured energy consumption shows about 30 kWh/100 km. 5. How is the off-road capability? The ruggedness index is lower than the non-decoupled Hi4-T. However, the Tank features a low gear that amplifies torque, unique among decoupled four-wheel drives. The front and rear axle torque can increase by 20 times, enhancing off-road capability. The rear suspension uses a five-link design with a Dion axle, resembling a solid axle setup. This design retains dynamic ground clearance and offers greater suspension travel, making it top-tier in off-road capability among decoupled four-wheel drives.
What is the relationship between Hi4-T and Hi4-Z? Some may wonder if the launch of Hi4-Z indicates a rejection of Hi4-T by Great Wall. It does not. In fact, the planning and development of Hi4-T and Hi4-Z began simultaneously. They do not compete; they serve different needs in various scenarios. According to the official statement, the early launch of the Tank 500 Hi4-T aims to strengthen the brand’s strong off-road concept, focusing on off-road performance with new energy as support. In contrast, Hi4-Z prioritizes new energy while also considering off-road capability. Are there design changes?
Interestingly, a Weibo survey before our test drive showed that people care most about design changes in the new car. You might be disappointed. The new car retains the design of the Tank 500. It continues with a grand and stable look. The front closely resembles the Hi4-T model. The large chrome grille makes a strong visual impact.
The new car measures 5078 mm in length, 1934 mm in width, and 1905 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2850 mm. These dimensions match those of the Hi4-T model.
The rear design continues the overall look of the Hi4-T model. Only the badge in the lower right corner indicates its identity. Overall, the new car’s design feels a bit too understated. Has the configuration improved?
The overall internal design remains largely unchanged. The symmetrical layout and large floating central control screen meet current consumer aesthetics and usage habits.
The biggest upgrade comes from the new Coffee OS system. It features 16+128G large memory. Boot time shortens to 3-5 seconds. You can start quickly without waiting. The system supports four-zone voice interaction. It accurately recognizes passenger locations. It also supports multi-command voice control and smart remote control via the app. In summer, you can pre-start the vehicle to cool it down. In winter, you can turn on the heating remotely. This allows for a quick and worry-free departure. The system includes fog removal and air renewal functions. It clears fog from windows and purifies the cabin air. This enhances the riding experience. The app supports real-time monitoring and night charging scheduling.
Desktop cards and the Dock bar support customization. Both new and experienced users can set frequently used functions in convenient locations. This ensures easy and quick operations every time. Gesture controls replicate mobile operation logic. Users can quickly adapt.
The Tank 500 Hi4-Z features three desktop modes: Off-Road, Rest, and Child. These modes enhance user experience with convenience, safety, and comfort. The Off-Road mode offers 3D terrain rendering. It displays vehicle status and driving mode clearly. This setup reduces errors and boosts confidence during off-road driving. The Rest mode targets short breaks. It connects the air conditioning, seats, audio, and sunroof. This creates a comfortable environment and helps users recharge quickly. The Child mode provides exclusive entertainment. It eases children’s restlessness and crying, ensuring a pleasant journey for the whole family.
The car system features advanced Coffee Link technology. It supports phone connections with brands like HUAWEI HiCar and ICCOA Carlink. The large screen and phone integration enhance your audio-visual experience while driving. During camping or outings, the car screen transforms into a mini cinema. This adds more entertainment to your journey.
The Tank 500 Hi4-Z features a streaming rearview mirror. This upgrade is one of the few in the interior. However, at certain angles, the light-colored seats can cause glare on the display.
The Tank 500 offers excellent craftsmanship at a price of over 300,000. The Hi4-Z model inherits this quality. It features high-quality aluminum-magnesium alloy and leather, which enhance the interior’s texture. How is the performance?
The new car features a 2.0T engine. This engine uses the Miller cycle. It has a high compression ratio and a 350bar high-pressure injection system. The cylinder head integrates the exhaust. The thermal efficiency reaches 40%. The engine produces a maximum power of 180kW and a maximum torque of 380N·m. The front motor delivers a maximum power of 215kW and a torque of 400N·m. The rear motor provides a maximum power of 240kW and a torque of 415N·m. The three motors work together to drive the vehicle. They generate a total of 863 horsepower. The system’s total torque can reach 1195N·m. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds when fully charged.
The Tank 500 Hi4-Z features a three-speed hybrid transmission. To accommodate the large battery and transmission, Tank integrated the transmission and motor system using advanced technology. They developed the world’s shortest longitudinal three-speed hybrid transmission. Compared to single-speed hybrid transmissions on the market, it is 20% shorter. This design provides more space for the battery, allowing for a 59.05 kWh large battery.
The new car accelerates better than the Hi4-T. Officially, it claims a 0-100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds. However, real tests show a stable time of around 4.3 seconds. For a vehicle over 5 meters long, the sensation inside is impressive.
The excellent calibration of the transmission and the clear logic of the entire power system ensure smooth acceleration. However, at low speeds, such as starting from a stop at a red light, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z may experience slight jolts. We hope future optimizations will eliminate this issue.
The steering feels comfortable. The damping feedback has moderate strength. The effective travel is quite large. The directional feel and road feedback are relatively vague. This design suits an off-road vehicle. After all, no one races it on curves. First-time drivers need time to adapt.
The new car excels in NVH performance. It effectively blocks tire noise, road noise, and exhaust noise. Whether in the city or on the highway, it creates a quiet space for users. It conveys a strong sense of luxury.
The suspension travels long to meet off-road needs. The damping is soft. It handles large bumps well. However, on uneven surfaces or during high-speed lane changes, the body sways noticeably. This is unavoidable for off-road vehicles. On regular good roads, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z offers excellent chassis quality. It filters small bumps effectively. It also isolates chassis noise well. How is the energy consumption performance?
Many friends pay attention to this car’s energy consumption. First, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z features a large 59.05 kWh battery. Its capacity surpasses some pure electric models. However, its WLTC electric range is 201 km, which seems short. This results from the powerful dual motors and the nearly 3-ton weight of the vehicle. We did not specifically test energy consumption during the test drive. However, we observed that most cars showed around 30 kWh/100 km. This figure aligns closely with the stated consumption. Additionally, its fuel consumption stands at 8.6 L/100 km. This is slightly lower than the Hi4-T model’s 8.8 L/100 km. If you view it as a conventional new energy vehicle, these figures may seem high. But remember, this is a mid-large SUV.
The new car uses 92-octane gasoline. This choice lowers costs for consumers. The 800V technology enhances charging speed. The Tank 500 Hi4-Z features a high-rate fast charging core. It achieves a maximum charging power of 163kW. In just 15 minutes, it can recharge from 30% to 80%. Don’t let the high energy consumption scare you. For city commuting, the large battery lasts a week. Even for trips, fast charging reduces travel costs.
The Tank 500 Hi4-Z supports an external discharge power of up to 6kW. It can power high-wattage appliances like microwaves, induction cookers, and kettles simultaneously. This enhances the camping experience. Inside, it offers a maximum discharge power of 2.2kW. It can charge devices like drones and large car refrigerators while driving. In smart hybrid mode, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z features an on-the-spot charging function. Users can choose between a 10kW low power and a 20kW high power charging option. With external discharge capabilities, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z becomes a true “mobile energy station.” How does its off-road capability perform?
The test drive did not include off-road sections, which is a bit disappointing. However, data and specifications give us some insight into its off-road capabilities. The Tank 500 Hi4-Z stands out among decoupled four-wheel-drive models. It is the only one with a low-speed gear for the front axle that can amplify torque. It features a true low-speed four-wheel-drive mode. This mode increases the torque at both the front and rear axles by 20 times. It significantly enhances the vehicle’s ability to get unstuck and improves performance on complex terrain. The Tank 500 Hi4-Z also has an iTVC intelligent torque vectoring control system. This system allows real-time torque distribution between the front and rear axles, dynamically adjusting from 0:100 to 100:0.
The Tank 500 Hi4-Z brings innovation to its chassis. It features a unique five-link and De Dion rear axle. The left and right wheels connect with a sturdy round high-strength steel pipe. This design forms a suspension similar to a five-link solid axle. It retains the dynamic ground clearance of a solid axle and offers significant suspension travel. The design also places the motor in a protected position. This balance enhances comfort and off-road capability. The battery pack lowers the center of gravity, improving handling and dynamics. In summary, this vehicle suits a wider audience. The Tank 500 Hi4-T stands out as an excellent model. It maximizes off-road performance while integrating new energy technology. Today’s experience suggests that the Hi4-Z may be the ideal choice for many. Strong acceleration and low daily commuting costs appeal to many drivers. While beauty and adventure are enticing, practicality often takes precedence. In a context where many Chinese families own just one car, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z fits the needs of Chinese consumers well.