In a grueling 10,000+ km journey across over 10 provinces, GAC Trumpchi's Toward S9 (传祺向往S9) completed the "2025 China Digital Auto Contest · Digital Ring China Drive," earning the "All-Condition Assisted Driving Benchmark" award on December 28. Tackling ice, snow, deserts, high altitudes, salt fog, and urban congestion, the SUV showcased Huawei's Qiankun Intelligent Driving ADS 4 system as a reliable "old driver" equivalent. This feat underscores China's EV industry's systemic leap in intelligent vehicles, blending cutting-edge tech with real-world endurance.
Epic Ring China Drive: Testing Limits Across Extremes
The Toward S9's route started in Tianjin, pushing north to -15°C icy Alshan, west through Gobi deserts in Alxa and Zhangye, south over Qinghai plateaus and Sichuan hairpin turns, and east along coastal highways to Weihai. Key highlights:
- Extreme Conditions Handled: Low-temp ice/snow, high-altitude low pressure, desert dust, high-humidity salt fog, and city traffic—all without failure.
- Data Legacy: All test data entered the 2025 contest's technical asset library, aiding industry benchmarks.
This wasn't just a drive; it validated the vehicle's full-scenario reliability, proving Chinese EVs can dominate diverse terrains.
Huawei Qiankun ADS 4: Game-Changing Intelligent Driving
Equipped with Huawei's ADS 4—the first production model—the Toward S9 delivered seamless performance. Built on the WEWA (World Engine + World Behavior Model) architecture, it slashes end-to-end latency by 50%, boosts passage efficiency by 20%, and cuts emergency braking by 70%.
| Feature | Specs | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | 192-line LiDAR + 3x 4D mmWave radars | Farther, clearer detection for complex roads |
| Urban NOA | Car-to-car parking without intervention | Handles tolls, roundabouts, irregular lights, obstacles |
| Parking | 160+ parking types, 95% coverage | Reduces driver fatigue |
| AI Training | 1000x real-world rare scenarios via cloud engine | AI trains AI for superior decision-making |
In tests, it preemptively slowed for wildlife on narrow roads, nailed Gobi centering, and managed urban cut-ins effortlessly.
CAS 4.0 Safety and Head-Class Comfort
Toward S9's CAS 4.0 Collision Avoidance System targets all-speed, all-direction, all-target, all-weather, all-scene protection. Comfort features elevate it to a "mobile first-class cabin":
- 27-inch AR-HUD projects speed, nav, ADAS, and blind-spot images.
- HarmonySpace 5 cockpit with six-screen synergy and natural voice control.
- 1200 km combined range (full fuel + electric); 3C fast charging (30-80% in 14 mins).
Ideal for families, it banishes range anxiety in remote areas.
China's EV Systemic Leap: From Cognition to Global Chains
This triumph reflects China's decade-long auto industry metamorphosis, as analyzed in recent reports. China redefined cars as "intelligent terminals" with centralized computing, SOA, and OTA updates—unlike Western "add-ons."
- Organization Shift: Platform-based (one architecture for 10+ models), host-led (BYD, Huawei dictate pace), agile dev (18-month cycles vs. 4-5 years).
- Supply Chain Edge: 60% global batteries (CATL + BYD), scaling ADAS chips (Horizon 7M+ units), 4-hour Yangtze clusters slashing costs 20-25%.
- Global Output: Full ecosystems in Hungary, Thailand—reshaping supply chains.
China leads in cognition, speed, and irreplaceable systems.
Why This Matters: Honoring Pioneers Amid Global Shifts
The S9's success honors pioneers like Acad. Wu Feng (1930-2024), who pioneered China's NiMH and Li-S batteries, earning intl awards before passing December 29. His work fueled the battery dominance enabling vehicles like Toward S9.
Global Implications
Toward S9 exemplifies China's "systemic superiority"—not just volume, but uncopyable ecosystems. As exports embed full chains worldwide, expect intensified competition. Western firms lag in iteration speed and integration.
Looking Ahead
With ADS 4 setting benchmarks, GAC Trumpchi eyes exports, while China's EV surge (leading sales/exports) promises faster OTA evolutions and battery breakthroughs. The Toward S9 isn't just a winner—it's a blueprint for global EV dominance. Watch for more such real-world validations in 2025.
