THE TOP OF THE RANGE – Sportequipe, the flagship brand of DR Automobiles Groupe, unveiled its new 7-seater maxisuv at the Paris Motor Show, which stands out in its market segment for its unusual technical configuration, which sees the presence of a hybrid system with batteries rechargeable from the outside (plug-in) combined with a dual fuel petrol-LPG heat engine. The novelty of the Molise house is called Sportequipe 8 Hybrid Plug-inis strictly derived from the Chinese Chery 8 Pro Max and is added to the many models arriving for the newborn Italian brand (who to know more). It is a 7-seater with high wheels, also available with all-wheel drive, and of medium-large dimensions (the length is 472 cm, little more than a Seat Tarraco or a Skoda Kodiaq).
HYBRID PLUG-IN WITH THREE MOTORS – The Sportequipe 8 Hybrid Plug-in is able to express as a whole 320 hp with a combined maximum torque of 510 Nm and acceleration from 0 to 100 in 7 seconds. The heat engine is a turbo 4-cylinder 1.5, capable of 156 hp, which is combined with and two electric motors (one with 75 HP, the other with 95 HP) powered by a 19.27 kWh battery pack, which offer a total range of 100 km in electric mode. During deceleration and braking, the system transmits the kinetic energy of the vehicle to the engine through the transmission shaft and the reduction gear. In this way the mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy capable of recharging the battery pack. The batteries are also recharged when the car is stationary, with the heat engine running.
DRIVING MODES – The hybrid system of the Sportequipe 8 Hybrid Plug-in has different operating modes: with a single electric motor at moderate speeds, with both electric motors at intermediate speeds, in parallel with the thermal engine and the two electric ones, in extended mode, with the thermal engine and the two electric motors in series, at speed more sustained and with only the heat engine when the traction batteries are discharged and the electrical part fails. The overall autonomy of the Sportequipe 8 is close to 1,500 km, thanks to its even tri-modal fuel system: electric, petrol and gas (LPG), an authentic “unicum” in its sector. In fact, the heat engine can run on petrol or LPG.
A RICH AND TECHNOLOGICAL INTERIOR – The cockpit of the Sportequipe 8 Hybrid Plug-in it is definitely ambitious. The fine leather upholstery is flanked by the large monitor on the dashboard that allows you to manage and monitor all the main functions of the car. The central tunnel, in addition to the CVT automatic transmission selector (with 3 preselected gears) and the switching commands from full electric to hybrid mode, also houses the climate control buttons. The panoramic roof, the push button start and the 360 ° camera system are some of the standard features.
ALSO NOT HYBRID – The Sports equipment 8 will be available in early 2023, including in versions with only the heat engine dual fuel petrol / LPG: 2.0 TGDI260 HP direct injection turbocharger, also 4×4, e 1.6 TGDI200 HP direct injection turbocharger.
