The cheaper the car, the more intense the competition. BBA seems to understand this rule and has announced its withdrawal from the price war. Meanwhile, as Huawei continues to make inroads in the mid-to-high-end product lines, BYD, which leads in volume, has also started to accelerate. Following the success of the Tengshi D9 in the MPV segment, the Tengshi Z9 has also completed pre-sales. Recently, spy shots of the Tengshi N9, a full-size flagship SUV from Tengshi, have also been leaked. Judging from the current state of road testing, there is a high possibility that the new car will be launched within the year. So, what advantages does the latecomer Tengshi N9 have over models like the AITO Wenjie M9, which have already gained a head start?

Three motors become a comfort configuration, and the chassis will surely surpass the Wenjie M9?

First, as a flagship model from Tengshi and positioned as a full-size SUV, the Tengshi N9's chassis is undoubtedly top-notch. Since new energy vehicles are inherently heavier, basic suspension structures such as double wishbones and five-link suspensions are standard. Additionally, air suspension, CDC variable damping shock absorbers, and other advanced features are also likely to be included. After all, even the Cloud Suspension System - A uses air suspension, so BYD will not be stingy with its flagship SUV. The only question is whether the Tengshi N9 will also adopt the Cloud Suspension System - P used in the BYD Nio U8.

The likelihood is low. Although the Cloud Suspension System - P is considered high-end in the brand's technology tree, this hydraulically controlled system is naturally more suitable for rugged off-road SUVs. When applied to luxury SUVs, it may be too rugged and lack comfort. From the spy photos, it is clear that the Tengshi N9 is positioned as a luxury flagship SUV with a three-row seat layout, similar to the AITO Wenjie M9. In fact, the hardware similarity between the two cars' chassis is also extremely high. Since there is little difference in hardware, the main battleground may be in software.

The reason for this is that the AITO Wenjie M9 is equipped with Huawei's Tuling chassis technology. Simply put, it is based on a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link suspension, as well as air suspension and variable damping shock absorbers. By integrating a road sensing system, the suspension can be pre-adjusted to improve the overall comfort of the vehicle. In addition to the chassis hardware, the core components of this technology include road sensing hardware such as lidar and reliable algorithmic capabilities.

The former is merely a matter of hardware, which can be addressed through the use of high-quality components. In fact, the spy photos of the Tengshi N9 clearly show a rooftop lidar installed. The latter, however, relies on software, but this algorithm is not synonymous with intelligent driving; it is limited to the execution level of the chassis. In this regard, BYD has accumulated experience over time. The BYD Han series, for example, was equipped with the DiSus-C intelligent active suspension, and the iTAC intelligent torque control system was adopted in the Dolphin series. From these perspectives, based on the latest sensing and execution hardware, BYD has the capability to deliver active suspension performance on par with the first tier in the Tengshi N9.

However, Tengshi N9 clearly aims not just to challenge but to surpass in the chassis department. The key lies in the hardware, but not limited to the chassis, but rather the drive system. Both Huawei's Tuling chassis and BYD's iTAC intelligent torque control system demonstrate that the drive system of new energy vehicles is no longer solely responsible for driving or kinetic energy recovery. Its contribution to chassis comfort and handling is also noteworthy. However, this expectation is difficult to fulfill with two or fewer drive motors.

With a dual-motor four-wheel-drive system, the vehicle can achieve balance and stability by adjusting the torque output of the front and rear motors. This is the current logic behind the chassis of the AITO Wenjie M9. However, the Yi Sanfang technology, which has already been applied in the Tengshi Z9 series and is known as the three-motor four-wheel-drive technology, overcomes the limitation of dual motors in precisely controlling left and right power. Simply put, while the Tuling chassis prioritizes safety and comfort in motor control, when paired with Yi Sanfang technology, the Tengshi N9 can fully tap into its comfort potential while also catering to the handling needs of large-sized vehicles.

For instance, with dual rear motors, the vehicle can perform compass-like movements by locking a single pivot point. Theoretically, this allows the vehicle to achieve the smallest possible turning radius. Furthermore, the three-motor four-wheel-drive system can maintain stability even in the event of a flat tire on one side. In other words, the Tengshi N9 promises a smoother and more comfortable driving experience on wet or slippery roads. In summary, we have previously analyzed what the three-motor four-wheel-drive system can achieve that dual-motor systems cannot in our previous article on the Tengshi Z9. Here, we highlight the turning radius and stability in extreme conditions to introduce another potential highlight of the Tengshi N9: its size and space, which are expected to surpass benchmarks like the AITO Wenjie M9 in the same segment.

Larger space and the most comfortable third row?

What is the relationship between chassis design and vehicle space? Let's explore this by referring to the AITO Wenjie M9. At first glance, its wheelbase-to-length ratio falls below 0.6, which seems unusual for a fully electric vehicle. Conventionally, a longer wheelbase is advantageous for creating more interior space. However, the Wenjie M9, as a full-size SUV offering three rows of seats, has a rigid demand for space.

Here, it's important to clarify the distinction between wheelbase and wheelbase-to-length ratio. The Wenjie M9 has a wheelbase exceeding 3.1 meters, which is not short. However, the key factor limiting its wheelbase-to-length ratio is the need to accommodate three rows of seats. For a luxury flagship SUV, adding a third row of seats is not as simple as squeezing in an extra row of seats; it also requires consideration for passenger comfort, particularly regarding the chassis. Simply put, the third row of seats cannot be placed directly above the longitudinal force-bearing suspension. Visually, this means it cannot be placed directly above the center point of the tire.

As a result, SUVs with three rows of seats often feature a long rear overhang, allowing the third row of seats to be positioned behind the rear wheel arches, thereby balancing the comfort of the second and third rows. Additionally, a slightly longer rear overhang can also contribute to the vehicle's stability at high speeds, compensating for the compromised wheelbase-to-length ratio due to the three-row layout and forming a closed-loop design.

However, a long rear overhang can also affect the vehicle's turning agility, which is another reason why full-size three-row SUVs tend to have relatively modest wheelbases. After all, a longer wheelbase theoretically results in a larger turning radius. This brings us back to why the Tengshi N9 theoretically doesn't need to be constrained by the wheelbase or the resulting interior space. The answer lies in the Yi Sanfang technology of the three-motor four-wheel-drive system, which enhances the vehicle's high-speed stability and the potential for third-row comfort.

From the spy photos, we can observe that the rear overhang of the Tengshi N9 is noticeably shorter than that of the AITO Wenjie M9. This suggests that the new car's wheelbase-to-length ratio has the potential to be higher, which objectively supports the previous argument. Furthermore, based on this, the Tengshi N9 could even increase the overall dimensions of the vehicle, resulting in even more spacious interiors. However, such improvements in space and comfort are more likely to be limited to the legroom experience for passengers. Due to the complexity of the suspension structure, the Tengshi N9 may also introduce rear-wheel steering technology, similar to the Tengshi Z9, which undoubtedly puts pressure on the wheel arch space. Therefore, like the AITO Wenjie M9, the Tengshi N9 is likely to primarily offer a 2-2-2 six-seat layout.