ROX 01:A Premium Extended Range EV with Outdoorsy FlairIssuing time:2024-04-08 14:09 What is it? When it comes to the ROX 01, the first thing that strikes you is its familiar yet distinct design. This new extended range EV is not a mere copycat but rather exudes a strong sense of déjà vu. Price This premium, adventure-ready SUV’s price tag may raise a few eyebrows. In China, the seven-seater ROX 01 comes in at $48,500, while its six-seater counterpart will set you back $50,000. The distinction? The main difference lies in the upgraded second-row seating. So, whether you're opting for extra space or superior seating comfort, the choice is yours, albeit at a slight premium. Exterior Before jumping to conclusions, let's set the record straight. The ROX 01 is not just another Chinese imitation of the Defender 130. In fact, its origin trace back to the ‘Italian’ design outfit Pininfarina. So, if we're pointing fingers, let's point them at the Italians. At first glance, the commanding presence of the ROX 01 is undeniable. Its imposing grille exudes power, complemented by rugged plastic cladding reminiscent of American pickups, giving it a robust, masculine appeal. Upfront the automatic headlights and LED daytime running lights add a touch of personality to the front end styling. The choice of a two-tone black and khaki green color scheme further enhances its rugged allure, while the generously sized wing mirrors ensure excellent visibility. But let's not beat around the bush. The influence of the Defender 130 is evident in the boxy silhouette and straight belt-line. The integrated roof rails hint at its adventurous spirit, inviting you to explore off the beaten path. When it comes to wheels you can opt for the 21-inch rims with all-season tires for a stylish urban look, or go for the 20-inch rims with all-terrain tires for off-road prowess, albeit with a slight sacrifice of 35km EV only range. While SUVs often promise outdoor adventures, the ROX 01 takes it to the next level. Forget makeshift beds on seats; with its ingenious design, you can transform the tailgate into a fully functional camp kitchen. Complete with worktops for a gas stove or even an electric hob using the built in 2.2-kilowatt V2L system. There’s also a water dispenser that will heat water in 3 seconds. The trunk has a capacity of 544L. Need more space? Fold down the third row, and you'll find ample room with a depth of 1.2 meters. Fold down the second row as well, and you've got a cavernous two-meter space for all your gear. Whether it's tailgating or hauling long cargo, the ROX 01 delivers versatility with style. Interior The interior design of the ROX 01 bears resemblance to that of Li Auto, but given Li Auto's success in the EREV market in China, it's an interior tried and tested. Up front there’s a 12.3-inch instrument panel, a 15.7-inch 3k touchscreen, and a 15.6-inch HD entertainment screen. While personally I’d like to see the higher resolution screen in the rear for a better movie experience, the screens offer smooth operation thanks to a Snapdragon 8155 CPU. Catering to iPhone users, the ROX 01 features dual 15-watt wireless charging and standard Apple CarPlay compatibility. The cabin boasts three-zone AC, a 14-speaker surround sound system, and a digital nine-inch rearview mirror. The front row seats are equipped with heat, ventilation, and massage functions as standard.The driver enjoys 14-way electronic adjustment, while the front passenger gets ten. The ROX 01 introduces a voice assistant named ROCK, though limited to Chinese. Despite its basic functionality, the interior exudes luxury, emphasizing the duality of premium comfort and off-road capability. In addition to standard on-road modes, the ROX 01 offers off-road modes like mud, sand, wading, and rock. It also comes standard with a 360 degree panoramic camera with transparent chassis mode to help navigate obstacles as you drive over them. The ROX 01 offers flexibility with seating options, available in either a seven or six-seat configuration. In the seven-seat setup, an additional seat is provided in the third row, providing ample space for passengers. However, focusing on the second-row seats, they closely resemble the front seats, albeit with added armrests and massage functions. For those seeking a more luxurious experience, the six-seat version offers "Airline seating" with wider, captain's seats boasting ten-way electronic adjustment, heat, ventilation, and an upgraded 8-point SPA massage function. These seats also feature a convenient lay-flat mode and hidden controls in the armrest. Although opting for the wider seats sacrifices central access to the third row, a button allows for easy movement to access the rear. Both configurations include the rear entertainment screen. However, it's worth noting that the absence of Dolby Atmos spatial audio places it behind some competitors, such as the Xpeng X9, the Aito M9, and Li Auto products. The rear gets controls for the third zone of the A/C, two USB sockets for charging. A nice addition to power those car gadgets from the 2010s is a 12-volt socket. Another thing that I do appreciate because of my little legs is the grab handles to aid getting in and out. At 170 centimeters. I'm barely adult height, more of an oversize toddler. And the third row back here is very tight. There is a cup holder, a USB socket for charging, air outlets and a reading light. There's not much legroom and headroom is fine for those under 180cm. The seats are quite upright and there's not as much padding compared to the other rows. You can manually recline them for a bit more space, but legroom is still a bit of an issue. The third row is probably best left for kids. Now, if you opt for the six seat configuration, you lose this middle seat, meaning the rear seats are wider, but legroom is still an issue. Range, Battery & Charging The Rox 01 has a 56.01kWh battery pack from CATL and an EV only range of 235km. It can charge from 0 to 80% in just under half an hour. Obviously as an extended range EV, there is a petrol motor or “electrical generator” and it's suspiciously familiar. The petrol engine is sourced from the same supplier as Li Auto. With that engine the Rox 01 supposedly has a combined range of 1,115 Km. Driving The ROX 01’s 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine produces a 154 horsepower, however that doesn’t drive the wheels, merely providing extra electricity for the electric motors. The driving force of the ROX 01 are its dual motors with a combined output of 350kW and 714Nm. This setup enables the vehicle to accelerate from 0-100 Km/h in 5.5 seconds, suitable for a vehicle of its size. Its top speed is 190km/h, making it suitable for highway speeds, although it is not an Autobahn cruiser. In terms of driving experience, the ROX 01 behaves as one would anticipate from a large SUV. Its body control is not a standout feature, prioritizing comfort over handling. Unlike some competitors, the ROX 01 does not include air suspension. But the Continuous Dampening Control (CDC) system effectively smooths out rough road surfaces, enhancing overall comfort. The suspension setup consists of a double wishbone front and a H-Arm multi-link rear, further emphasizing comfort over sporty handling. Operating in hybrid mode, the engine and battery work in tandem to power the motors. The engine operates quietly, and the cabin remains well-insulated from external noise, though acceleration may produce a distant rumbling. ADAS The ROX 01 offers an optional Advanced Drive package, preparing the vehicle for future advanced ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) features. This package includes two Nvidia Orin-X chips and three LiDAR units, two fender-mounted and a third on the roof. ROX Motors claims that the fender-mounted LiDAR units are pure solid state, making the ROX 01 the world's first production car with solid state LiDAR. It’s not a cheap option though at just over $4,000, and even with promises future enhancements such as advanced city and highway autonomous driving capabilities, it could be a long wait for this new automaker to bring the software to market. The standard ROX 01 is equipped with a level two ADAS system, offering features like lane keep assist and on-demand automatic lane changes. This system is vision-based and utilizes Dual Texas Instruments TD4 chips. Most of us might know Texas Instruments for their high school appearance in the classroom with their famously frustrating and complicated Ti-84/85 graphical calculators. Takeaway The ROX 01 could be the ideal SUV for those who enjoy outdoor adventures more than the average person but don't require full locking differentials. If you're someone like me who a likes hike but prefers to avoid the rain, the ROX 01 might just be the perfect fit.
Article classification:
Hybrids
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