Tesla is the EV benchmark, with many brands recognising Elon Musk’s success and the technology leadership of his car brand. However, Chinese auto companies and EV specialists have become incredibly bullish, as they possess a verifiable superiority in battery supply. And the latest indication of China’s rising EV technology confidence is the Luxeed S7.
This joint venture project combines Huawei’s software engineering and hardware expertise with Chery’s proven automotive assembly and validation engineering.
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The S7 is expected to debut in November, aimed at the Tesla S. “The car will be superior to Tesla’s Model S in various aspects,” said Richard Yu Chengdong, the head of Huawei’s car unit. Exactly what the comparison parameters are remains unclear, but the S7’s technology suite is impressive.
Luxeed S7 battery tech
Battery chemistry is the latest LFP technology from CATL, leveraging the Chinese battery supplier’s global leadership in automotive battery R&D and production.
The battery pack feeds a Huawei-designed 215kW electric motor, powering the rear axle. Estimated driving range is 435 miles, while recharging convenience is enhanced by an 800-volt electrical architecture.
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Beyond the battery and powertrain spec, drivers of the Luxeed S7 will be served by advanced infotainment and assistance technologies developed by Huawei, including its HarmonyOS 4 operating system. The benefit of Huawei’s latest infotainment software and systems integration should allow multi-screen functions to be usable on the Luxeed S7’s cabin screens.
All the sensors
Driver assistance technology is where Tesla has made the boldest promises, and the Luxeed S7 appears to offer a compelling alternative. The driver assistance and safety technology include one LiDAR, three millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic radars, and 11 high-definition cameras.
Harmonizing and integrating safety sensors has proved challenging for legacy automotive brands, who lack deep software engineering capabilities. Huawei’s programming and software engineering resources are immense, not to mention its legacy of UX design, and it should have no issue to best optimize the Luxeed S7’s multiple layers of safety and driver assistance sensors.
With such a comprehensive array of safety sensors and Huawei’s software engineering resources, the Luxeed S7 could match or exceed Tesla’s Model S in specific parameters of driver assistance.
