On April 12th, GAC GROUP's HYPER brand launched the high-end intelligent SUV HYPER HL. While not branded as a "9 Series" model, this represents GAC's highest achievement in intelligent technology and is positioned to compete with various "9 Series" SUVs in the market. At that time, pricing for both pure electric and extended range versions was announced, achieving price parity between gasoline and electric powertrains.

On the evening of August 19th, GAC held the "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology and HYPER HL Extended Range Version launch event in Guangzhou. The event showcased the surprises of the HYPER HL Extended Range version and demonstrated how GAC's "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology addresses the pain points of early extended range technology.

The HYPER HL specific pricing is as follows, with SKUs reorganized for better differentiation compared to previously announced prices: - 350 Pro Five-seat LiDAR Version: 269,800 yuan - 350 Pro Six-seat LiDAR Version: 279,800 yuan - 350 Max Five-seat LiDAR Version: 289,800 yuan - 350 Max Six-seat LiDAR Version: 299,800 yuan

HYPER HL owners can enjoy access to over 20,000 supercharging stations nationwide with lifetime free charging benefits and complimentary home charging pile installation, which is quite rare in the industry.

As the pure electric era approaches, extended range technology thinking needs comprehensive renewal. Structurally, extended range technology adds a range extender (internal combustion engine + generator) for power generation on top of pure electric vehicle drive systems. Since the internal combustion engine doesn't participate in vehicle propulsion, extended range vehicles provide experiences very similar to pure electric vehicles.

Several years ago, when domestic energy replenishment infrastructure wasn't well developed, extended range vehicles became market favorites due to their ability to both refuel and recharge, successfully opening consumer mindsets. However, early extended range technology gradually exposed usage pain points: slow charging speeds, short pure electric range, insufficient power when battery depleted, high fuel consumption, and noisy range extenders.

GAC's answer to breaking through the "post-extended range era" of "emphasizing electric over fuel" is the "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology, which GAC HYPER officially calls the "battery depletion terminator."

Extended range technology involves energy conversion and must prioritize efficiency. GAC proposed "open source" and "throttling" approaches. The "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology first features an ultra-high efficiency range extender with pioneering crankshaft direct-connection oil-cooled engine technology. One liter of fuel can convert to 3.73kWh of electricity, ranking first in the industry, with motor power generation efficiency of 95% and range extender platform continuous power generation capability of up to 85kW.

When the range extender operates, vibration and noise become "electric vehicle experience killers." GAC achieved range extender operating noise control within 34dB, startup vibration reduction of over 70%, shutdown vibration reduction of over 55%, engine speed fluctuation reduction of 50%, active vibration damping of 95%, and continuous operation in the efficient 2500rpm speed range.

Under the "large battery + small fuel tank" trend, range extender power generation efficiency affects not only overall vehicle comprehensive range but also battery protection capability when depleted, determining whether vehicles become "powerless when out of battery."

Through efficient range extenders and electric drive systems, even in battery-depleted states, the technology can guarantee leading fuel consumption performance and acceleration capability in the same class. GAC states that "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology enables A-class extended range vehicles to achieve 3.3L/100km fuel consumption when battery-depleted, and large SUV extended range vehicles to achieve 5.3L/100km.

The "throttling" aspect involves the electric drive system, concerning energy consumption management and control. "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology incorporates the Quark Electric Drive 2.0 system. The drive motor uses randomly arranged amorphous structure stator materials, reducing motor iron losses by up to 75%. The rotor is made of carbon fiber, capable of stable output at 30,000rpm speeds, achieving energy density of 17.29kW/kg.

"Star Genesis Extended Range" also features GAC's self-developed AI Energy Control Platform, implementing comprehensive AI energy management, AI charging adjustment, AI energy recovery, and AI instantaneous optimal allocation strategies. Simply put, using AI learning and optimization algorithms, combined with navigation routes and user driving habits, it determines range extender intervention timing, energy recovery, and most efficient power output.

Under this AI energy optimization algorithm, "Star Genesis Extended Range" achieves 15% improvements in both pure electric range and fuel saving rates.

GAC is not new to extended range systems, having undertaken the national "863 Program" 15 years ago to create an extended range sedan based on the Trumpchi platform - the GAC Trumpchi GAC7100 pure electric sedan. GAC clearly has considerable technical reserves to advance "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology.

The first vehicle based on "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology is the HYPER HL Extended Range Version. GAC HYPER HL is built entirely on an 800V high-voltage platform. The extended range version features the newly released "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology, with CLTC pure electric range exceeding 350km, equipped with a 60kWh CATL Qilin ternary lithium 5C superfast charging battery providing 210km range in 10 minutes of charging, paired with GAC's self-developed 1.5T DHE range extender (compatible with 92-octane gasoline), achieving comprehensive range of 1,369km.

HYPER brand CEO Ma Haiyang stated that 90% of first and second-tier city users have daily commutes within 50km and weekly commutes within 250km. Previous extended range vehicles typically had 100-200km pure electric range requiring charging every two days, while HYPER HL Extended Range Version achieves 350km pure electric range, leading in its class and requiring only weekly charging.

For chassis configuration, HYPER HL Extended Range Version comes standard with front double wishbone + rear five-link aluminum alloy suspension, air springs and variable damping shock absorbers, plus front four-piston fixed calipers, representing GAC's highest current automotive manufacturing standards. It also comes standard with NVIDIA Orin-X chip + LiDAR + Momenta's latest intelligent driving assistance solution.

The HYPER HL Extended Range Version's core configuration and design style remain highly consistent with the pure electric version. The cabin provides an 8.8-inch instrument panel and 17.3-inch central control screen, paired with a 27-inch panoramic HUD and rear 17.3-inch entertainment screen, providing refrigerator, sofa, and large TV in one package. It features dual zero-gravity seats with integrated 18-point hot stone massage, 12 massage modes, and NASA standard 127.5° golden zero-pressure angle, using quite luxurious materials.

The intelligent cabin computing power is driven by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P chip, with voice interaction featuring deep dialogue and voiceprint recognition capabilities consistent with the pure electric version.

Overall, in an environment where mid-to-large intelligent SUVs priced at 200,000-300,000 yuan are everywhere, competition is unprecedented, representing both a brand war and direct product capability competition.

This is why, as the first "Star Genesis Extended Range" vehicle, GAC HYPER HL no longer follows traditional automotive manufacturing approaches, instead winning through underlying technology while ensuring comprehensive standard equipment to minimize product "weaknesses."

The biggest regret about HYPER HL might not be design controversies, but rather that the extended range version lacks all-wheel drive options.

In less than two years, the mid-to-large SUV market can be described as "extremely competitive." The proliferation of household mid-to-large intelligent SUVs offering high-level features, large space, comprehensive configuration, and solid chassis technology means "full configuration" in various senses can be purchased for under 300,000 yuan.

On the surface, GAC HYPER claims not to be in a rush to engage in intense competition, even using 15-year-old extended range technology achievements to support its industry pioneer status. In reality, facing this increasingly fast-moving market, GAC must also accelerate its pace.

This doesn't mean skepticism toward GAC's "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology and HYPER HL. On the contrary, throughout the launch event, product definition and underlying technology best reflect major manufacturers' foundations. Compared to previous launches, HYPER HL Extended Range Version has streamlined its SKUs, standardizing everything possible and even including free charging services, showing GAC keeping pace with current automotive market rhythms.

In terms of product capability and technical strength competition, GAC shows no weakness in this Extended Range 2.0 era. However, the new energy era requires new automotive narratives, and traditional major manufacturers transitioning from fuel vehicles need to learn to listen to users and emphasize user value in this competitive market.

Perhaps HYPER HL represents GAC's bold move to capture the mid-to-large SUV trend, which is a very positive signal. What's more anticipated is the comprehensive rollout of "Star Genesis Extended Range" technology and upgrades to the HYPER product system.