During the technical communication meeting of Great Wall Motors on May 22, Li Ruifeng, Chief Growth Officer of the company, announced that by the end of 2024, all models produced by Great Wall Motors will come equipped with the Hi4 technology as a standard feature.
Hi4, which stands for Hybrid Intelligent 4-wheel drive, is a newly developed hybrid system by Great Wall Motors. It is a series-parallel hybrid system that allows the electric motor to operate independently or in conjunction with the gasoline engine. The Hi4 system consists of a gasoline engine, two electric motors, and a lithium-ion battery pack, providing an electric-only range of up to 100 km.
The Hi4 system intelligently switches between the gasoline engine, electric motor, or a combination of both based on the driving conditions. It utilizes various sensors to determine the most suitable mode of operation, delivering a hybrid 4WD driving experience.
For instance, the electric motor powers the car at low speeds, while the gasoline engine takes over at higher speeds. During acceleration, both motors work together to deliver maximum power.
Compared to traditional hybrid systems, the Hi4 system offers several advantages. Firstly, it is more efficient due to the independent operation of the electric motor and gasoline engine. Secondly, it provides enhanced power output as both motors can work in tandem. Lastly, it offers a longer electric-only range, thanks to the larger battery pack.
Chen Shujiang, the deputy chief engineer of Great Wall Motors’ hybrid system, emphasized that the Hi4 technology breaks away from the conventional approach of focusing dual motors mainly on the front axle. The new configuration distributes three power sources across two axles, allowing the single motor on the front axle to be utilized independently in different working conditions.
Another notable feature of the Hi4 system is the intelligent Torque Vector Control (iTVC) system, which adjusts torque and power distribution between the front and rear axles. This feature prevents loss of traction and wheelspin on slippery surfaces.
The recently launched Haval Xiaolong MAX is the first model to be equipped with the Hi4 technology. This vehicle showcases impressive fuel efficiency, with a WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption of 1.78L/100km and a WLTC feed fuel consumption as low as 5.5L/100km.
Great Wall Motors has set ambitious electrification goals, announcing plans to cease the sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2030. The Xiaolong series represents a significant step toward achieving this goal. Over the next five years, the company plans to invest 100 billion yuan in research and development.
In the current automotive market, there are various hybrid technologies available. Many automakers have introduced extended-range electric vehicles or focus on plug-in electric vehicles. Other unique systems include BYD’s DM-i/DM-p, Geely’s Raytheon HiX/Hip, and Chery’s DHT Kunpeng hybrid.
While the Hi4 technology incorporates some aspects derived from the DHT-PHEV hybrid system previously developed by Great Wall Motors in 2020, it has been structurally simplified into a dual-motor dual-axis distribution. The primary aim is to reduce costs without compromising performance and efficiency.
