AVATR Technology introduces Kunlun range-extender technology

Beijing (Gasgoo)- On August 21, 2024, AVATR Technology, the premium new energy vehicle company backed by Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL, officially launched its new range-extending technology, Kunlun, marking its entry into the range-extender market. The company plans to release multiple all-electric and range-extended models within 2024 to meet diverse, all-scenario mobility needs.

Hu Chengtai, Vice President of AVATR Technology, stated, "We believe that a good range extender should offer an experience almost identical to all-electric vehicles, with no range anxiety. As a high-end new energy brand rooted in pure electric vehicles, we set the pure electric experience as the benchmark for our range-extended models." To achieve this, AVATR Technology has applied its peak-level intelligence, developed over years of full-stack in-house research, to its range-extending technology. This represents a leap from traditional to intelligent range-extender, driven by the synergy of advanced software and hardware.

Traditional range-extended vehicles often suffer from significant power loss when the battery is low, impacting performance in high-demand scenarios like high-speed driving or uphill climbs. To address this issue, AVATR Technology, in collaboration with Chinese battery giant CATL, has developed the 39kWh Shenxing Super Hybrid Battery. This battery delivers a peak discharge rate of 9C when fully charged and 7.7C even when low on power, allowing the AVATR 07 range-extended AWD vehicle model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, even in a low battery state.

The Kunlun range-extender system also features an in-house developed seven-in-one rear electric drive unit with a peak power of 231kW and a peak wheel torque of 4,500 Nm. This enables the AVATR 07 range-extended AWD model to accelerate from 40 to 80 km/h in just 1.8 seconds, and from 80 to 120 km/h in 2.7 seconds, providing exceptional power in the most commonly used speed ranges for overtaking.

Kunlun's core intelligence also addresses common issues such as overheating after continuous acceleration, which traditionally results in premature power reduction. AVATR's system, combining hardware-level oil cooling technology with software-based AI models, enhances rotor temperature estimation accuracy from the industry standard of 30°C to just 8°C, reducing unnecessary power interventions. As a result, the Kunlun-equipped AVATR models can maintain performance across 25 consecutive 0-100 km/h accelerations without power loss, ensuring consistent, on-demand acceleration.

In addition to its performance enhancements, the Kunlun range-extender system also prioritizes driving comfort. The system's adaptive energy management adjusts torque based on real-time road conditions, reducing accelerator and brake usage by 60%, and mitigating passengers’ dizziness that can result from rapid torque responses.

To further enhance cabin comfort, particularly at low speeds or idle, the Kunlun system integrates a self-developed HE 1.5T supercharged engine with a world-first electronic oil pump and active piston control technologies. These innovations reduce engine noise to 35.7 dB during idle charging, providing an imperceptible start-stop experience. The electronic oil pump also pre-builds oil pressure to ensure immediate lubrication upon engine startup, reducing noise, improving efficiency, and extending engine life.

Kunlun's unique piston control technology positions the pistons at the optimal point for minimal resistance and vibration when the engine is off, significantly reducing startup noise and vibration.

Moreover, the Kunlun range-extender system intelligently manages engine intervention based on navigation data, ensuring that the engine operates only when necessary to preserve battery power for congested routes, maintaining the quiet, comfortable experience akin to driving an all-electric vehicle.

Photo credit: AVATR

Additionally, the Kunlun HE 1.5T supercharged engine also leads the industry in thermal efficiency and fuel-to-electric conversion rates. With a higher compression ratio and optimized fuel injection, the engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 44.39%, generating 3.63 kWh of electricity per liter of fuel, significantly reducing fuel consumption.

To enhance the refueling experience, the Kunlun-equipped AVATR models will feature the 39kWh Shenxing Super Hybrid Battery from CATL with a peak charging rate of 3C, allowing the battery to charge from 30% to 80% of its capacity in just 15 minutes. Kunlun also ensures that battery power is prioritized, with fuel consumption only after the battery is depleted.

Finally, the Kunlun system is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, from -35°C to 65°C, while remaining compatible with 92-octane gasoline, ensuring that users can refuel wherever a gas station is available.