In 2023, the Tank company managed to sell about 14 thousand new SUVs in Russia. Despite the fact that Avtostat experts characterized this result as underestimated, it was quite enough to place the 300 and 500 models in the top 3 most successful frame cars. 2024 began with the launch of a new version of the 500 Urban, and “Chinese Cars” had a question: why did the already well-fed Tank company need to reheat the old broth?
Primary Audience
The sales ratio of the “300” and “500” models at the end of last year is almost the same – 52:48%, despite the fact that the flagship arrived in dealer showrooms only in the spring. September turned out to be unsuccessful for both cars – dealers were waiting for the “three hundredth” version of the City, and there really weren’t enough cars, and the “five hundredth” was hit hard by the ill-fated scrap collection – the price increased noticeably. But this trouble subsided by the end of the year, and today sales growth is again observed.
“Tank 500 buyers are adults and wealthy men, families and with children,” said Tank brand product manager Ilya Fedotov. “And these clients differ from each other. The core consists of conservatives – they value status and confidence in cars, from this point of view, the “500th” is for them an alternative to Japanese models. They give preference to proven solutions, and are less likely to travel outside the city.
The second group of Tank 500 buyers are more modern, choosing SUVs as a comfortable alternative to crossovers. The frame structure is adopted as insulation from off-road conditions and noise. Such people are open to innovation, but at the same time they are not noticed in their love for electric cars. And they move around the city more often.
It seems that the clientele has been determined, but the Tank office in the capital says that there are people who would like to see the “500th” somewhat different. A survey conducted among current Tank 500 owners and potential buyers showed that not everyone, especially those who have driven crossovers a lot, are delighted with the efficiency of an SUV equipped with a V6 engine. There are criticisms about the operation of the transmission. People are asking for a 7-seater cabin, a larger trunk transformation and expanded multimedia screen capabilities.
Now such clients have the opportunity to try out everything they dreamed about, and, as they say, in bulk.
“We are focusing on new clients,” says Ilya Fedotov, “more practical ones who expect increased versatility and more active use in the city from the 500.”
What hasn’t changed?
First of all, the SUV profile – the “long-lasting” design has remained unchanged. As well as the size of the wheelbase (2850 mm). Before the driver’s eyes is a well-known architecture of screens, analog clocks and physical buttons. The location of this entire “economy” is thoughtful and optimal; it would be inappropriate to introduce any fresh strokes into it, tea, the car has not had a change of generations.
The general design style has been preserved behind the driver. Here, everything is the same as in the Adventure and Premium trim levels: double glazing, a separate climate control zone, a panoramic roof and a lot of free space for passengers. That’s probably all.
What does the car say about the Urban version?
And this is a more interesting question. The already large SUV has become even more massive. It measures 5078mm from bumper to bumper, beating the Exeed VX’s 4970mm size. The “culprit” for this is the rear spare wheel, packed in a casing and placed on the rear door. The stern is now serious and purely “off-road”, with a door that opens to the side.
The radiator grille is almost the main visual difference from the familiar versions. In its design it is easy to detect similarities with the famous Toyota product. Yes, controversial, but still original. Plus a special design of rims.
The luggage compartment of the Tank 500 Urban is meager, but it couldn’t be otherwise if the territory of travel bags is occupied by two third-row seats. They are frankly cramped, but the very fact of the appearance of a 7-seater version is just what the doctor ordered. In defense of these “children’s” seats, we can say that they are controlled by electric keys, and the “gallery” has a lampshade and cup holders.
Placing the backs of the third row, as well as the second (this row, by the way, is on “sleds”) on the floor is not a big problem – you get a more or less flat platform, which you won’t find in either the Adventure or Premium. And here the main, in our opinion, question arises: if the Urban version is aimed at city drivers, why does it need 7 seats? Probably, such a “bus” would suit the Adventure version with a powerful V6 under the hood – this is what the automaker positions as a car for traveling.
Ilya Fedotov replied that, supposedly, among the potential clients of the Tank 500 there are many people who need a third row – just in case. For them, this is, rather, not a 7-seat layout, but a “5+2”, they say, a good alternative for a metropolis, with its abundance of “short arms”.
“T” – specifically for Tank
Finally, we have reached the point where the manufacturer presents the main difference, from a technical point of view, between the 500 Urban and the configurations we are familiar with – the presence of a hybrid drive. It’s not for nothing that we mentioned the “orphan” trunk. Its lower part was slightly “eaten” by the 47-kilogram battery. Actually, it was loaded inside the frame (where the V6 version has a “spare wheel”) so that it wouldn’t interfere too much, and they did it right. They sealed it into a reliable “cocoon”, strengthened it properly – let it feed with energy. The battery, admittedly, is modest – only 1.75 kWh, which is many times weaker than the analogue used at home (37 kWh). But this can be understood: in China, the “500th” is available in the PHEV modification, and Russia was given a non-plug-in hybrid. This way it is cheaper, and taxation that is favorable to electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in China and other countries is irrelevant for Russia.
The battery is just part of the Tank 500 Urban’s powertrain. There is also a 4-cylinder, chain, 2-liter Miller cycle internal combustion engine with a capacity of 245 hp, as well as a 54-horsepower electric motor installed in front of the automatic transmission. In total, we get the same 299 hp as the 3-liter V6, except that the torque, “assembled” from two parts (ICE + electric motor), turned out to be more interesting – 616 Nm versus 500 Nm for the V6. The power plant is called Hi4-T. For those who follow the activities of the GWM concern, the name will seem familiar; only the letter “T” may confuse you, but it means nothing more than Tank.
The 2-liter internal combustion engine can be found on the Haval Dargo. It is clear that for “Tank” it was reconfigured accordingly. Of the main performance characteristics, we mention the following: direct injection under a pressure of 350 bar, two-channel turbocharging, electronic pump, variable-displacement oil pump. Plus the modular hybrid design of the base 9-automatic transmission with a torque converter. It is productive – capable of withstanding torque up to 750 Nm, that is, still with a reserve. Moreover, the torque of 268 Nm is available from zero speed. The Tank 500 Urban goes up to “hundreds” in 7.9 seconds, which is faster than the V6 version (9.6 seconds), despite the fact that the “urbanist” is 70 kg fatter: 2605 kg versus 2535 kg.
We press, but we break
Starting from a standstill is strictly on “green” traction: the weak, at first glance, electric motor has enough “horses” to make the large “rollers” of the SUV, which has gained up to 2.6 tons in weight, spin. Somewhere up to 40 km/h you make do with electricity, then the internal combustion engine comes into operation completely quietly and accurately. It can make itself known earlier if, as in our test case, a slippery slip occurs. And then the corresponding “icon” lights up on the dashboard.
Pedaling is absolutely normal, the unit settings are, as they say, like everyone else. If you need to “drown” the accelerator pedal during a forced overtaking, the hybrid will react as it should – it will delight you with a nimble pickup, before which, however, it will take some pause to think. Yes, you won’t hear the characteristic bass – this is not a V6. But all the way you will enjoy excellent traction, including at the “bottoms”. Here, as test experience shows, it can become difficult for a 2-liter “four” alone, then an electric motor comes to the rescue – together the units pull even up a slippery hill. At the same time, the box is a good helper; it was modified after a series of criticism from concerned Russians, and now it does not show a tendency to all sorts of jerks and twitches.
Ilya Fedotov announced a reduction in fuel consumption, compared to the V6, by as much as 3 liters. They say that the Tank 500 Urban is capable of absorbing, on average, 8.5 liters per “hundred”. It is difficult to say how feasible this indicator will be. In some modes, we lost 11 liters, but having decided to go for an economy record, my colleague and I were only able to break out of the top ten once. Another good thing is that a “city dweller” will not be offended by you if you treat him to “92” gasoline.
There’s not much to say about all-wheel drive. It is the same as on the versions we are familiar with – with an electromagnetic clutch, a BorgWarner BW41-30 ToD transfer case with a reduction row, a locking center clutch and Eaton differentials. At the front there is an independent double-wishbone suspension on powerful steel arms, at the rear there is a rigid axle. 9 driving modes are available, there is a low-speed driving assistant with a “tank” turn, an “expert” mode, when you can completely turn off stabilization, as well as a “drift” mode. The road assistants are the same: “Transparent hood”, auto parking, etc. Active and passive safety, assistants – everything is the same as in Adventure and Premium.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – now available!
“Urbanist” did not become the most expensive in the Tank 500 line; from this point of view, it has many chances to be noticed and correctly assessed. At the moment, the cost of the 500 Urban is 6,299,000 rubles, exactly the same amount they ask for the Adventure. Premium still remains in the “top” – 6,899,000 rubles. 4 body colors – this choice is also available on the new trim level. At the same time, you can think and guess which interior to prefer: 3 interior trim options and the possibility of any combination.
Finally, the wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay interface appeared, which was not present on the first cars already purchased (today they are being additionally installed on them). A speed limiter was added especially for Russia – as a rule, Asian cars do not have it. It is unlikely that you will be able to exceed the stated limit by more than 2 km/h – everything is strict. And, of course, the “winter package”: heated windshield, steering wheel, washer nozzles, rear view camera washer, additional anticorrosive, washer reservoir increased to 4.5 liters. Guaranteed 5 years of after-sales support.
Vladimir PETROV (@chinamashina)
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2024-02-10 20:03:02
#urban #Tank #Urban #seats #nonplugin #hybrid #test #Chinese #cars
