Haval hybrid technology revealed

Haval has lifted the wraps off a plug-in hybrid concept vehicle, named the HB-02, at the Beijing Auto Exhibition.

Claimed to use as little 2.1L/100km, the HB-02 produces a combined maximum torque figure of 450Nm. Powered by a transversely-mounted 1.5-litre turbocharged and direct-injected petrol four-cylinder, the HB-02 draws 118kW and 284Nm from the internal-combustion engine.

An electric motor situated between the engine and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission develops 95kW and 278Nm. Electrical power for this unit is stored in a 13kWh lithium-ion battery mounted at the rear of the vehicle. Recharging time is around four hours, from a standard 10Amp domestic outlet, Haval claims.

"The combination of high torque and efficiency makes electricity a great power source for SUVs," said HAVAL Australia Chief Marketing Officer Tim Smith.

"The high efficiency rating means it consumes about 80 per cent less energy than a similar-size petrol engine."

Haval is claiming the HB-02 is the company's most powerful and most efficient vehicle the company has ever developed. In the vehicle's Pure Electric mode, the range is claimed to be 65km.

"This will provide the HAVAL with one of the longest ranges of all modern hybrid vehicles. We know that the average daily commute for Australian drivers is around 42 kilometres, which is less than two thirds of the HAVAL's range.

"This makes range anxiety a thing of the past," said Smith.

The vehicle's Power mode merges torque from both the engine and the electric motor for optimal performance. Top speed is claimed to be 210km/h and the HB-02 is said to reach 100km/h from a standing start in around nine seconds.

In the default Hybrid Drive mode, the HB-02 can automatically alternate between petrol power and electric, or combine the two, according to the driver's needs at the time. This is aimed at delivering the best balance of fuel economy and performance, with regenerative braking recharging the battery whenever the vehicle is coasting downhill.

"With a fuel consumption of just 2.1L/100 km and three different driving modes to choose from, the HAVAL plug-in hybrid promises to be the perfect powertrain for Australian owners," said Smith.

"It has the potential to deliver all the performance customers expect from a premium SUV, with fuel economy figures they could only dream of previously."

The hybrid-drive system won out over diesel for Haval's forward product planning, despite what were apparently strong protestations from Australia, where diesel power accounts for roughly half the SUV market – and hybrids represent a tiny proportion of all SUV sales.

Haval has not revealed whether the HB-02 will enter production, but the drivetrain system is planned to reach global markets in 2017 – if not in a series production version of the HB-02, then likely in H6, H8 and/or H9 models.