I have heard an interesting point: pure electric vehicles erase the performance difference between fuel vehicles. To the effect that in the era of fuel vehicles, performance as a medium to distinguish the value of products no longer exists in the era of electric vehicles. This view is "right and not right", after all, everyone's understanding of performance is different.
If you look at zero hundred acceleration alone, about 300,000 electric vehicles can easily step into the 4-second club, comparable to million-level high-performance cars such as M3 and C63. However, there are still huge differences in the essence of hidden technologies such as chassis workmanship materials and suspension tuning. Reflected in the driving experience, it is naturally a world of difference. In fact, the mainstream electric vehicle is still mainly for home use, and the concept of parameters such as over-consumption zero hundred acceleration is easy to give people the illusion that this is a performance car, causing ambiguity. The author believes that at this stage, a high-end electric vehicle suitable for home and taking into account driving fun lacks a sense of driving advanced.
Recently, the author deeply tested the ARCFOX Polar Fox Alpha S, and found that this car already has a "driving sense" that is scarce in the pure electricity market.
positioning
The brand officially positioned the Polar Fox Alpha S as a C-class sedan, but it has a ground clearance of 140 mm and a body height of 1.6 meters, which from the side looks like a sense of volume that the same class model does not have. The rare hatchback tailgate makes it more like a Crossover. Regardless of the level of appearance, this design at least guarantees the riding space. At least it goes beyond the simple positioning of the car.
The model test driven by the author is the 708S+ version, the name is like its car, and the cruising range under NEDC conditions can reach 708 kilometers, which is the highest endurance level among the current independent brands. The battery pack has an energy density of 194 WWh/kg and a capacity of 93.6 kWh, matching the motor with a maximum power of 160 kW and a maximum torque of 360 Nm. It is not difficult to see through the endurance level that the 708S+ version focuses on long battery life, reducing the driver's mileage anxiety and expanding the travel radius.
In the construction of the chassis, the Polar Fox Alpha S uses a suspension combination of front McPherson + rear multi-link, focusing on the front and rear suspension arms and connecting rods (including the subframe) are all made of aluminum alloy. On the one hand, it is to reduce weight and improve endurance efficiency, on the other hand, it is to strengthen the flexibility of control.
Based on the above information, it can be judged that the Polar Fox Alpha S has a ride space comparable to an SUV, and at the same time has the control ability of a sedan. Such a setting is not a split, after all, in the highly internally coiled pure electric market, Jihu hopes to give users a richer and more unique experience.
So when I entered the Polar Fox Alpha S cockpit and began to experience the driving experience, I did not wonder whether this was a sedan or an SUV, because my attention was all focused on dynamic performance.
feel
Compared to its class, the Polar Fox Alpha S's throttle response is a surprise. The first is that the power output is linear enough, rather than directly pulling the torque full, which is very friendly for models with home positioning. Friends who have taken the tram need not say much. Secondly, in different driving modes, the throttle response logic is more user-friendly. The Polar Fox Alpha S offers three driving modes: Economy, Comfort and Sport, where the initial throttle response is weaker but the magnitude of the change is reasonable; the initial, mid- and trailing responses of the throttle in Sport mode increase. It can be said that each mode has a corresponding clear positioning and clear boundaries.
When the author overtakes and merges on the highway, he can clearly perceive the body center of gravity of the Polar Fox Alpha S, and there is a certain sense of delay in the lateral follow- In simple terms, the body shake is limited, suppressed within a certain range, and the people in the car do not follow the rapid lane change and be thrown around. In the sport mode of rapid acceleration, the power output is continuous, from 80 km / h to 120 km / h controlled in about 3 seconds, and the elevation angle of the body attitude is very small. Obviously, this cushioning setting greatly improves the stability of the vehicle.
When the vehicle enters the mountain road and rubs the steering wheel repeatedly, the rolling sensation will be magnified, and it is easier to explore the limits of vehicle suspension compression. If you look at the Polar Fox Alpha S by the standards of a family car, its performance in the mountain road is undoubtedly beyond expectations. Although the roll of the vehicle is greater than that of the highway, it is also suppressed within a reasonable range. The focus is on the trail of the rear wheel, there is no sense of shaking with the mud and water, and the cornering action is crisp and clean. In fact, most electric vehicles on the market have a very low center of gravity, but not every car can achieve a similar driving experience, which is the strength of the Extreme Fox Alpha S tuning skills.
The author believes that the key to evaluating the suspension adjustment of a family car is not to be biased, that is, to take into account the handling and comfort. It is also an essential element to create a sense of premium driving. The best way to verify this is to go bad.
When the Polar Fox Alpha S was crushed by a muck truck and broke through the asphalt road, the author could feel the changes in the road surface, especially the high and low. The suspension does not directly transmit the bumps to the body structure, but absorbs the fine parts and conducts the overall undulations into the car. That is to say, the suspension slows down the rebound speed, "there is a feeling, but not obvious", coupled with a comfortable and thick seat support, sitting up more quality. To describe it in more detail, this feeling is like chewing maltose, with both a soft sticky taste that bites easily and a tight feeling of elastic teeth.
The driving experience of the Polar Fox Alpha S is not all-encompassing, such as when the steering wheel is too large, the back of the hand is easier to touch the right leg. Perhaps for a better grip, the Polar Fox Alpha S steering wheel is more stout. Taller drivers need to turn the steering wheel to a higher position.
After an in-depth test drive, the author has been thinking about why the same level of models is only doing more extreme in a certain aspect, while the Polar Fox Alpha S can provide a sense of driving superiority comparable to luxury brands.
Heritage
The reason why the chassis tuning of the Polar Fox Alpha S is so "old and spicy" is inseparable from the deep cooperation with Magna. In fact, as one of the world's top three parts suppliers, Magna's position is not exactly equivalent to the "Foxconn" of the automotive circle. Because Magna has a wealth of experience in automobile manufacturing and tuning.
The production of automobiles and electronics is far from manufacturing, and Magna will be deeply involved in the early development of models. According to the author's understanding, its most representative case is the OEM BMW Z4. In fact, BMW only provides design indicators and relevant information, while Magna has completed all aspects from pre-design to manufacturing, which shows its strength.
Not only that, Magna has also oemized classic fuel vehicles such as Toyota Supra and Mercedes-Benz G-Class homologous BMW Z4, as well as electric vehicles such as Jaguar I-PACE, and has rich experience in the production and manufacturing of luxury brands. At the same time, Magna is also a supplier of components such as motor reducers and electric rear drives. With such a wealth of experience as an endorsement, it is not difficult to understand why the Polar Fox Alpha S has excellent dynamic performance.
Water drop view:
As a new brand, The idea of creating products is very clever, whether it is the driving experience of Alpha T or Alpha S, they are trying to get closer to luxury fuel vehicles. In this way, not only young users can easily get started, but also provide electric vehicle replacement options for those quasi-luxury brand owners who pursue a sense of luxury driving.
Obviously, product positioning, product feeling and product heritage are the "three axes" that distinguish Jihu Alpha S from the new forces, and are also the key factors for its stability in the high-end market of new energy.