Great Wall Motor’s all-new tech brands named Lemon, Tank, Coffee

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Great Wall Motor (GWM) launched on July 20 three all-new technology brands, dubbed “Lemon”, “Tank” and “Coffee Intelligence”, demonstrating its ambition to drive the transition to being a global mobility technology and service provider from being a mere vehicle manufacturer.

The automaker announced on spot the launch of two automobile platforms, namely, the “Lemon” and the “Tank”. Involving over 20 billion yuan ($2,863,934,000) of R&D investment and integrating GWM's global resources, the two platforms are designed to produce the models that target global markets. 

(Lemon platform)

The “Lemon” is positioned as a global high-intelligence modular technology platform that eyes the next decade, according to GWM. The vehicles built on the platform will boast lightweight technology, high performance and high safety, which are in tune with lemon's quality of portability, freshness and popularity.

GWM's said the “Lemon” platform will be compatible with the model development from A0 to D segments, and covers SUV, sedans and MPVs. Besides, it will be adaptive to four powertrain solutions—internal combustion engine, hybrid power, BEV and FCEV.

According to Mu Feng, GWM's vice president of R&D, the Lemon-based vehicles will have a thermal efficiency of 41% for traditional engines and 42% for hybrid powertrains in 2022. The number will increase to 51.5% in 2025.

(Mu Feng,  GWM's vice president of R&D)

Moreover, the vehicles built on the “Lemon” platform will be paired with a 7-speed or a 9-speed dual clutch transmission. Three types of battery-- ternary-lithium battery, lithium iron phosphate battery and cobalt-free battery will be offered in the future.

Mr. Mu added that GWM plans to launch in 2021 the first-generation Lemon-based FCEV that has a range of over 900km and can sprint from 0-100km/h within 8.9 second. The second-generation one will be released in 2023 with the range growing to over 1,100km and the 0-100km/h acceleration time dropping to 4.56 seconds.

(Tank platform)

The “Tank” is positioned as a global professional intelligent off-roader platform that contains SUV and pickup models in the segments from B to D+.

GWM noted that the “Tank” platform will adopt the 2.0 GDIT and the 3.0 GDIT engines, which are paired with 9-speed automatic transmission. Notably, the 3.0 one is able to pump out a maximum of 260kW and 500 N·m of peak torque, delivering a thermal efficiency of 38%. In addition, the Tank-based vehicles will feature a basic wading depth of 965mm and an active suspension height adjustable range of 120mm.

(Li Peng, GWM's chief digital officer)

The “Coffee Intelligence” will specialize in automobile intelligence. According to Li Peng, GWM's chief digital officer, the brand works on the R&D of smart cockpit, intelligent driving and intelligent electrical/electronic architecture.

The first “Coffee”-powered model will be a flagship WEY-branded model which is expected to go on sale at the end of 2020. Going forward, the technology will be applied across the entire lineup of GWM （photo source: Great Wall Motor's WeChat account).