At the earlier HarmonyOS Smart Drive Enjoy S9 launch event, Yu Chengdong officially announced that Huawei and JAC Motor's jointly created HarmonyOS Smart Choice 'Fourth Realm' would be officially named MAEXTRO Zunjie. He also stated that Zunjie's first product had entered the vehicle verification stage, with an expected offline release by the end of the year and an official market launch in the first half of next year.

In other words, Huawei's most significant launch of the year, Zunjie's first model, is likely to roll off the production line in the final three months of 2024. Theoretically, this vehicle will utilize Huawei's best components, including LiDAR, chassis technology, and drive technology (including motors and range extenders). As it aims to compete with the million-yuan-level Mercedes-Benz S-Class, it will undoubtedly incorporate new technologies and adjustments in both hardware and software, differentiating it from existing brands like AITO, Enjoy, and Smart.

So, what new technologies will this vehicle employ? What are its product attributes?

Will intelligent driving iterate to quasi-L3?

As the industry speculated about the form of Zunjie's first product, spy shots of a suspected Zunjie sedan test vehicle were leaked online. Visibly, the car's size is quite impressive, understandable given its positioning as a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Additionally, the car features a LiDAR on the roof and rear-wheel steering.

Most consumers are primarily concerned about this vehicle's intelligent driving capabilities and driving experience. Let's start with intelligent driving. Huawei's intelligent driving system on the Enjoy S9 has been upgraded from ADS 2.0 to ADS 3.0, functionally approaching quasi-L3 capabilities.

Based on the spy shots, only one LiDAR is visible, suggesting that the current sensing hardware configuration will likely remain in use. Instead of a 128-line LiDAR, it will likely adopt a 192-line LiDAR similar to that used in AITO M9, offering better performance as the core sensing unit.

Combining my experience driving vehicles equipped with ADS 3.0, let's discuss potential features and impressions.

Users are most concerned about Huawei's end-to-end ADS 3.0's performance on the road. In practical applications, Huawei's ADS 3.0 achieves physical end-to-end connectivity from parking space to parking space, with an underlying architecture that truly realizes end-to-end connectivity.

On the Enjoy S9, we have already witnessed the strength of the end-to-end biomimetic neural network model. It enables a range of intelligent driving operations, including parking space activation, roadside activation, roadside temporary parking, destination changes, and tollgate passage. ADS 3.0 aims to enable intelligent driving across all scenarios, so based on its update schedule and progress, the next step will likely be full scenario driving capabilities.

I remember a scenario where, after setting the navigation path in an underground parking space, clicking the intelligent driving button on the steering wheel would automatically drive the ADS 3.0-equipped vehicle out of the parking space, navigate out of the underground garage, and onto public roads. With a smooth turn of the steering wheel, the car smoothly navigated through a U-turn, demonstrating a human-like driving style.

Future developments may focus on optimizing complex environments, narrow roads, and parking functions. Given the vehicle's larger size, demands for narrow road conditions will be stricter. Additionally, ADS 3.0's underlying logic improves with use, so iterations within a few months will enhance its understanding of complex roads, resulting in higher execution efficiency at complex intersections.

Comfortable and easy to drive due to the suspension?

Firstly, before the Tuling chassis, Huawei released a chassis-related dynamic control function called DATS system on AITO. Our understanding of DATS is that it micro-adjusts torque output by detecting the longitudinal road conditions of the drive wheels. By offsetting wheel input and output torques, it inhibits longitudinal vibrations, ultimately enhancing ride comfort and longitudinal smoothness.

This DATS system is also applicable to the Tuling chassis, offering two key improvements:

1. Road signal detection: Road conditions can be highly variable, especially on unpaved or rough roads with potholes and bumps. DATS adapts to these random conditions by addressing vibrations across a wide frequency range.

2. System algorithm latency: This refers to the time difference between control signal transmission and actuator reception. In terms of functionality, it determines how quickly the suspension system can adjust to different road conditions.

In addition, there are suspension-related electric control technologies like air suspensions, electromagnetic shock absorbers, and other control units. When combined with electric power steering systems and ESP, the chassis becomes increasingly versatile, capable of handling various road conditions.

The xMotion intelligent body coordination control system further enhances ride comfort by focusing on coordinated control between the body and chassis, particularly through the joint adjustment of electric drive, braking, steering, and suspension systems.

Furthermore, we may see the inclusion of a rear-wheel steering system on this vehicle, addressing issues such as narrow road U-turns and cornering. This significantly improves handling, making large vehicles more agile and stable in corners, enhancing their sports performance.

Compared to traditional gasoline vehicles, both pure electric and hybrid/extended-range electric vehicles are heavier, necessitating enhanced handling capabilities. Domestic new-energy automakers can improve handling by introducing adjustable dampers, a strategy that contrasts with international brands with centuries of automotive experience.

Huawei's Tuling intelligent chassis also features air springs, which adjust the vehicle's height and posture based on road conditions, meeting various driving needs. The combination of air suspension and CDC is essential for Zunjie.

Finally, is there a possibility of an extended-range version?

Theoretically, following the Enjoy S9's launch strategy, where the pure electric version preceded the extended-range prototype, Zunjie's executive sedan could also feature an extended-range powertrain alongside its pure electric variant.

Traditionally, extended-range technology has been reserved for SUVs due to their ample space. However, large sedans like Zunjie and Enjoy S9 possess sufficient space to accommodate extended-range systems, theoretically enabling their implementation. This would eliminate range anxiety, making the extended-range version more appealing to consumers than the pure electric variant.