GWM is doubling down on becoming an SUV and off-roader brand in the Philippines, but it’s aiming to do that with a multi-pronged approach. Realizing the need to provide various solutions to achieve a carbon-neutral future, GWM Philippines will soon offer both diesel and electrified versions. Where GWM sets itself apart from other Chinese automakers, however, is its new Hi4 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain.
The major selling point of Hi4, which stands for Hybrid Intelligent 4WD or four-wheel drive, is that it comes with either all-wheel drive (AWD) or 4WD as standard. That’s because GWM’s vision for an electrified future is one where four-wheel traction is democratized and a defining feature of the brand. If that sounds like a recipe that AWD specialist Subaru would take, then yes, you’re not far off.
Unlike Subaru, however, where motive power is still dominated by its boxer engines even in their hybrid era, the Hi4 drivetrain heavily leans on GWM’s expertise in making electrified vehicles. There are three types of Hi4 drivetrains, each with a different purpose and fitted to various vehicle types.
Hi4 Is For AWD Unibody Crossovers
The first type of Hi4 drivetrain is simply called Hi4. It’s a series-parallel hybrid system that combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a high thermal efficiency of 41.5 percent, one of the highest in any internal combustion engine (ICE). It also has a 16:1 ultra-high compression ratio, among other efficiency improvements.
Leaning on GWM’s (or basically the Chinese auto industry’s) EV expertise, Hi4’s AWD system is achieved by using two electric motors. Unlike in Toyota’s implementation of AWD, however, the two electric motors significantly contribute to the vehicle’s power output. For instance, in the recently-revealed GWM Haval Xialong Max (which is thankfully going to get a different name for global markets), it has a system output of 319 horsepower when all power sources are working together, which is good enough for a 0-100 kph time of just 6.8 seconds.
Since this is a series-parallel hybrid system, power is sent through a two-speed Direct Hybrid Transmission (DHT) that GWM has been using for its series-parallel hybrids for quite a while now. What also sets Hi4 apart from other series-parallel hybrid systems is that, even when the engine is running to charge the battery, it can remain disconnected from the wheels, thus leading to better efficiency and a smoother drive. Speaking of batteries, at its larger 27.54 kWh in a range-topping Xiaolong Max, the vehicle can be driven in pure electric mode for as much as 165 km, though this is based on China’s ultra-conservative CLTC test cycle.
Lastly, Hi4’s Intelligent Torque Vectoring Control (iTVC) allows for a certain degree of electronic torque vectoring capabilities by shuffling the power distribution to whichever of the front or the rear wheels has the most grip. It’s a system layout that’s only possible with an electronic AWD system versus a mechanical setup.
Hi4-T For Hardcore Off-Roaders
GWM has made a name for itself in markets like Australia for its rugged off-roaders, and the Chinese automaker is also electrifying its body-on-frame vehicles through the Hi4-T. T stands for Tank, which is a nod to its rugged body-on-frame SUV range, though the Cannon pickups also get Hi4-T.
Unlike Hi4, Hi4-T is a parallel hybrid that’s meant for use in a longitudinal engine layout–basically like every other body-on-frame vehicle out there. Hi4-T combines either a 241-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or, surprisingly, a new 348-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. Yes, GWM remains committed to engines beyond four-cylinders as they recognize the power demands of other markets.
Mated to this is a new nine-speed automatic (branded as 9HAT) that GWM themselves developed. They’re also proud to highlight that it’s the first nine-speed automatic purely developed in China. A similar nine-speed automatic, albeit without the hybrid components, is also used in GWM’s updated non-hybrid models, such as the recently facelifted Cannon, as they’re already deemed to be good enough to replace the previous ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic.
The 9HAT has an impressive transmission efficiency of 97 percent, which means it has very little powertrain loss. The electric motor, meanwhile, is an ultra-thin silicon permanent magnet synchronous motor that’s mounted into the 9HAT. On all applications, it produces 160 horsepower and a strong 400 Nm of torque. All-electric range for most models, meanwhile, is CLTC-rated to be at least 100 km.
Hi4-Z Combines Both Traits
Finally, Hi4-Z is also for body-on-frame vehicle applications, but is now a series-parallel hybrid layout. The engines for Hi4-Z are either a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter turbo V6, both of which are the same ones found in Hi4-T. This is augmented by two electric motors, one on each axle. There’s a three-speed front drive module that’s enabled by a set of planetary gears, while the electric motors for the rear axles have a two-speed gearbox. On average, a large SUV with Hi4-Z can sprint from 0-100 kph in just 4 seconds.
When fully charged, the Hi4-Z plug-in hybrid drivetrain can provide enough juice for up to 200 kilometers of pure electric driving, while the strong dual electric motors enable a massive total system output of as much as 958 horsepower. Finally, thanks to DC fast charging, its battery can be charged in just 15 minutes, though the company’s infographics don’t necessarily indicate whether this is a full charge or a 30 to 80 percent charge.
Hi4 To Be The Backbone Of GWM
Hi4, however, won’t be fitted to just a select number of vehicles. Moving forward, Hi4 will be the core defining drivetrain of every GWM model. This strategy makes GWM the Chinese purveyor of AWD electrified vehicles–one that will hopefully set the brand apart from everyone else. Are you excited for GWM’s soon-to-arrive Hi4 models? We sure are. We’ve focused on two vehicles that are fitted with the Hi4 and Hi4-T, and we’re excited to reveal to you how they help GWM stand out in a sea of numerous automakers, Chinese or otherwise.
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