Changan announces next-gen hybrid tech, targets 2.98L/ 100 km efficiency to capture global buyers
Changan Auto has introduced its “Blue Core Super Engine” (蓝鲸超擎混动) hybrid platform, targeting the 70 million annual global buyers who remain with internal combustion engines (ICE). The state-owned automaker invested 2 billion yuan (291.12 million USD) in a specialised laboratory to develop the architecture, aiming for urban fuel consumption of 2.98 L/100 km, according to IT-home.
Changan claims the platform is the result of a six-year development cycle involving 1,000 engineers and 163 technical breakthroughs in powertrain hardware and software. Changan is positioning the system as a transition technology for users who want electric-like efficiency without relying on plug-in infrastructure.
Technical Power Evolution
The Blue Core platform iterates on Chang’an’s 2012 series and the 500bar ultra-high-pressure injection systems introduced in 2024. This version uses an integrated “oil and electricity” approach that prioritises electric motor propulsion over the engine. To verify long-term durability, the system underwent 2 million kilometres of road testing across 70 different surface types globally.
Changan has set the 2.98L/100km urban consumption figure as its primary performance target. By optimising for low-speed efficiency, the platform addresses the high fuel loss typically found in stop-and-go traffic. The powertrain is tuned for high immediate torque and lower noise levels, mimicking the driving characteristics of a pure electric vehicle.
Global “Vast Ocean” Strategy
This technical launch is the backbone of Chang’an’s target to reach 750,000 overseas sales in 2026. The platform was developed with significant input from Changan’s Birmingham-based UK R&D centre, ensuring it meets international standards.+
Key global rollout milestones for 2026 include:
- Thailand Hub: Chang’an’s Rayong plant is currently scaling production of right-hand-drive (RHD) models for Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK.
- European Expansion: Following the 2025 establishment of its German subsidiary in Munich, Changan is leveraging its “In Europe, For Europe” strategy to introduce these hybrid models to Norway, Germany, and the UK.
- Regional Testing: The 2026 Global Testing Season is currently active in the European Alps and Southeast Asia to validate the 2.98L system’s performance in extreme climates.
Market Impact
The Blue Core system enters a field where BYD’s DM-i 5.0 and Geely’s NordThor (Leishen) EM-i already claim fuel consumption figures as low as 2.62L/100km. Changan’s 2.98L urban consumption target is a defensive play to maintain the relevance of its UNI and CS series in China, which currently face aggressive price cuts from BYD’s vertically integrated PHEV lineup. From a supply chain perspective, the 2 billion yuan (291.12 million USD) investment allows Changan to internalise hybrid transmission and power-electronic R&D, reducing its historical reliance on third-party Tier 1 suppliers such as Aisin for high-efficiency gearboxes.
Multi-Pathway Roadmap
This technical pivot aligns with Changan’s capital injection into its Deepal brand, which secured 6.12 billion yuan (890.83 million USD) in Series C funding in late 2025 to scale its second-generation EV products.
Furthermore, Changan and CATL recently launched the world’s first mass-produced sodium-ion passenger vehicle, the Nevo A06, featuring a 45 kWh CATL Naxtra battery. This sodium-ion strategy addresses range and safety concerns in extreme cold, mirroring the “bridge“ role the Blue Core platform plays for traditional ICE users.
