Walk into the Xushui Test Ground: How GWM Uses Hi4-T Hybrid Technology to Create New Energy Off-Road Vehicles

[PCauto] Recently, Great Wall Motors (GWM) held an open event focusing on off-road and new energy at the Xushui Testing Ground in Baoding, Hebei. This event revealed GWM's core R&D testing base and showcased the real performance of multiple off-road models equipped with Hi4-T hybrid technology under harsh environments.

The Xushui Testing Ground Covering Over 1.14 Million Square Meters

The Xushui Testing Ground is enormous, covering an area of about 1.14 million square meters. It houses 21 testing modules and over 100 types of test roads simulating real road conditions. From high-speed loops to reinforced durability roads, as well as professional off-road terrains, the facility creates an exceptionally rigorous environment for vehicle performance testing.

Among them, a 7.1-kilometer high-speed loop, designed with a 58-degree incline, allows vehicles to be tested at a maximum speed of 240 km/h and supports models weighing up to 3.5 tons for extreme testing.

Hi4-T Hybrid Off-Road

On a professional testing site, the Tank series equipped with Hi4-T hybrid technology demonstrated a combination of advantages, including quick power response, efficient energy consumption, and strong adaptability to complex terrains in various off-road scenarios.

During the off-road test of the Tank 300 Hi4-T, the hybrid system responded quickly when facing a 25-degree slope. The instantaneous torque provided by the electric motor made the climbing process smooth and effortless.

When passing through consecutive hump roads, it completely avoided chassis scraping. In addition, the vehicle is equipped with a 20kW on-site charging capability, which alleviates concerns about electricity usage in the wild to some extent.

In the fuel economy test, the Tank 300 Hi4-T achieved a displayed fuel consumption of 8.8 liters per 100 kilometers on a comprehensive road condition that included urban, highway, and off-road scenarios, consistent with the official fuel consumption data.

For a hardcore SUV weighing nearly 2.3 tons, this fuel consumption performance is significantly advantageous.

Positioned as a more hardcore off-road vehicle, the Tank 400 Hi4-T showcased its formidable capabilities in high-difficulty off-road challenges. When tackling obstacles such as cross shafts, 40cm deep shell craters, or simulated low-traction wet surfaces, its longitudinal hybrid system and TOD four-wheel-drive system precisely distributed torque, helping the vehicle navigate rough terrain smoothly.

Furthermore, the Tank 400 Hi4-T powertrain delivers a combined maximum power output of 300 kW and a peak torque of 750 Nm, achieving an official 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.8 seconds.

In high-speed handling and stability tests, its body-on-frame construction and robust chassis tuning provide excellent support.

In contrast to the off-road focused Tank series, the high-end WEY G9 emphasizes luxury, comfort, and intelligent technology, with standout performance on comfortable road surfaces and in intelligent connectivity testing areas. It is equipped with advanced suspension systems for optimized shock absorption and more powerful intelligent cockpit hardware with responsive in-car systems. During NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) tests, multiple noise-reducing designs are implemented to create a quieter cabin environment.

Through the opening of the Xushui Proving Ground and the centralized display of Hi4-T models, GWM demonstrated the complete process of technical validation from R&D to mass production.

What is even more noteworthy is that the proving ground's high-standard testing capabilities for heavy-duty vehicles provide technical support for GWM's future expansion into high-end off-road and global commercial vehicle new energy fields.