On April 25th, Chinese automotive company Changan launched the second-generation UNI-V iDD sedan at the Beijing Auto Show. This new sedan is the plug-in hybrid version of the Changan UNI-V and comes with improvements to its powertrain, along with a few design enhancements.
According to CNC, the term iDD stands for Intelligent Dual Drive. The iDD hybrid system offers support for a variety of hybrid solutions, including a 48V hybrid system, HEV, PHEV, and EREV.
The second-generation UNI-V iDD is built on the brand’s Ark architecture platform and measures 4,720/1,838/1,435 mm in dimensions, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. The entire lineup comes standard with an electronic adjustable tail wing and an electronically adjustable rear trunk. Additionally, the Ark architecture features six airbags and a vehicle body made of 70% high-strength steel.
The exterior of the second-generation UNI-V iDD remains largely similar to that of its ICE counterpart. It sports a frameless grille up front accompanied by sharp-looking headlights.
The cabin continues with its T-shaped layout, featuring a 10.3-inch floating central control screen, a 10.3-inch LCD instrument panel, and a double D-shaped steering wheel. The center console houses a sporty electronic gear lever. Changan also states that the car supports Super Race 2.0 mode.
Meanwhile, advanced driver assistance features are not in short supply, and these include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Among them, the IACC intelligent high-level driver assistance system is capable of freeing the driver’s feet, serving as a strong aid during long-distance driving.
The powertrain is the biggest highlight of the vehicle, with its iDD plug-in hybrid system independently developed by Changan, consisting of a 1.5L engine and a front-mounted electric motor, mated to an E-CVT gearbox. The engine has a maximum power output of 81 horsepower and a peak torque of 143 Nm, while the electric motor generates 158 horsepower and 330 Nm. The top speed is 185 km/h, and the 0 – 100 km/h acceleration time is 6.9 seconds.
Additionally, the onboard battery is of the lithium iron phosphate type (official capacity yet to be revealed), offering a pure electric CLTC operating range of 136 km, while the comprehensive CLTC operating range stands at 1,160 km. Utilizing DC fast charging, it takes 30 minutes to replenish the battery from 30% to 80%.
Impressively, the WLTC-provided fuel consumption is 5.15L/100km, and the comprehensive fuel consumption is a mere 0.9L/100km, which is even lower than that of motorcycles. 
In the Chinese market, the car comes in a total of three variants, with prices ranging from 114,900 – 126,900 yuan (402 – 444 million VND).
2024 marks the 40th year of Changan’s automobile manufacturing operations. With the accumulation of 40 years of automobile production, Changan Automobile has transformed from a cornerstone builder of China’s automotive industry to becoming a representative of the country’s automobile brands. This brand is well-known in Vietnam for its truck models.
