Huadai Evoka

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Huadai Evoka
File:Huadai Evoka GTX-R.png
Overview
ManufacturerHuadai Motor Company
Production2006–present
AssemblyByeuksun, Akyannya, Anikatia
DesignerLee Jae-hee
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style2-door 2+2 coupé
LayoutFront engine, all-wheel drive
PlatformHuadai SE platform
Powertrain
Engine3.7 L HVX-37DTT twin-turbo V6
Transmission6-speed automatic dual clutch transmission[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,780 mm (109.4 in)
Length4,671 mm (183.9 in)
Width1,902 mm (74.9 in)
Height1,372 mm (54.0 in )
Curb weight1,818 kg (4,007 lb)

The Huadai Evoka is a 2-door 2+2 sports car produced by Huadai and unveiled in 2006. It is Huadai's first all-wheel drive sports coupe, and shares its basic platform with the full size Huadai Belholt luxury sedan, although no longer part of the Belholt range. The origins of this Anikatian sports car trace back to 1994, with early DSRA led efforts as producing a flagship performance vehicle. Huadai committed to the project, with the intention of meeting or exceeding the performance of the foreign high performance cars, while offering greater reliability and a lower price point.

Development and design

File:Huadai GTX CONCEPT.png
2002 Concept GTX Prototype

Introduced in March 2002 as the "Concept GTX", the coupe was designed by Huadai as a "progressive interpretation of the modern sports touring car". Huadai conceived the idea for the Evoka in 1998 during the last years of the DSRA. Although sports vehicles were generally a lesser concern for the socialist state, the economic reforms and expectation of maintaining the gap against Free Pardes allowed the exploration of such a vehicles even if only in concept form. The body design took three years by which time the DSRA and collapsed, but the newly privatized Huadai pushed forward with the design now with the extra fresh injection of foreign investment. Only two concept vehicles were displayed at motor shows prior to the unveiling of the production model. The first concept was shown at the Antiytia International Auto Show in 2002, to preview what a future sports car from Huadai would look like, it was one of the first Anikatian sports designs of the post-DSRA era.[2] As a result, it shared many components with the current production Huadai Belholt of the period. Initially, the design team explored the possibly of using larger engines such as V8, V12 configurations and even met with Tarsan engineers to review the 8.1 liter Regalio V14 engine for possible use in the new design. However, it quickly became apparent the larger engine displacements greatly exceeded the limitations of the existing vehicle platforms or any under-development and would be cost prohibitive pursuit any further. Instead domestic development of a new engine based on existing V8 or V6 architecture was decided. The production of a new V6 engine was chosen on the basis of its development potential and more compact design, that offered greater commonality with the rest of the Huadai vehicle lineup. Similar to the later generations of the Belholt and Huklan sedans upon which it was developed, the Huadai Evoka would use a 6 cylinder engine along with a four-wheel drive but unlike previous sedans the design would only be offered as a four-wheel drive. While the Evoka was based on the Belholt family it is an entirely new model sharing little with its siblings. At the 2004 Seubyeni City International Auto Show, Huadai unveiled a redesigned concept, the Evoka Grand Touring Six, stating that the production Evoka would be heavily based on this concept which featured a turbocharged V6 engine and all-wheel drive system. [3]

Production

Production model

The production version of the Evoka debuted at the 2006 Antiytia International Auto Show, launching in the Anikatian market on January 6, 2006. The Evoka was introduced into the Lusankyan market by Emmeria where it was officially launched seven months later on July 7, 2006. Huadai in Chaleur City provided a customer with the delivery of a new Evoka, fresh from the production line. The Taverian and Skanderan launches were also in July 2007. Akkadiya became the fourth consumer market, where it launched in February 2008. The large disparity in initial marketing between these regional releases is due to Huadai having to build Evoka performance centres where the car is serviced.

Design

File:Huadai Evoka GTX-R rear.png
A rear view of the Evoka GTX-R.

Huadai chief creative officer, Lee Jae-hee, stated: "The Evoka is unique because it is not simply a copy of a Lusankyan-designed Sports car; it had to really reflect Anikatian culture." The Evoka was designed, sculpted and created completely domestically and features a unique tall and somewhat boxy design which was the result of careful aerodynamics work based on previous DSRA-era Huadai fuel efficient concepts.

Huadai SE platform

The Evoka is currently the only model built on Huadai's Sports Executive (SE) platform,[4] an evolution of the Full-size Executive (FE) architecture introduced in its 2005 (H30) Belholt. It is a hybrid unibody assembled on ultra-low-tolerance jigs similar to those used in racecar construction. Aluminum is used for the hood, trunk lid and outer door skins, with die-cast aluminum front shock towers and inner door structures. Outer body panels are stamped using multiple-strike coining process for added rigidity and precision. The chassis is stiffened with a carbon-composite front crossmember/radiator support.

Exterior

Huadai developed a 6-stage paint process with double clear coat and chip-resistant paint for use in critical areas of the Evoka chassis. An optional liquid-effect finish employs a hand-polished 8-stage process with product-specific Super Silver metallic paint and three layers of clearcoat.

File:Huadai Evoka GSX SLE.png
Advertisement for the Sports Limited Edition

Specifications

The Huadai Evoka is powered by the HVX-37DTT V6 engine, a 3,699 cc (3.7 L; 225.7 cu in) DOHC V6 with a bore of 94.5 mm (3.72 inches) and stroke of 86.1 mm (3.38 inches). The block and head are made of aluminium alloy and the cylinder bores have been plasma transferred wire arc sprayed. Two parallel Sunwoo Heavy Industries (SHI) turbochargers provide forced induction. Models manufactured between 2006 and 2010 produce a manufacturer-claimed engine output of 585 PS (430 kW; 576 hp) at 7800 rpm and 441 lb·ft (599 N·m) at 6700 rpm. A curb weight of 1,794 kg (3,955 lb) with side curtain airbags is achieved using a jig welded advanced high strength sheet steel chassis with aluminium used for the hood, trunk, and doors. A rear mounted six-speed Kyoungcho designed dual clutch semi-automatic transmission built by Huadai is used in conjunction with the advanced all wheel drive system to provide power to all four wheels and along with Huadai's Dynamic Control-Assist (DCA) to aid in stability. Three shift modes can also be selected for various conditions. Beginning in 2010, engine power and torque were upgraded and models produced in 2015 featured improved engine output (450 kW, 611 PS; 603 hp) at 6900 rpm and 631 N·m (465 lbf·ft) at 6400 rpm). In the near iteration, it is speculated that the Evoka will be available as with a hybrid electric setup to boost performance.

Sports Limited Edition

Huadai introduced the Sports Limited Edition on January 10, 2006 at the 2006 Seubyeni City International Auto Show. Exterior changes from the base Evoka were minimal. However the Sports Limited Edition features a heavily tuned variant of the standard twin-turbo 3,699 cc (3.7 L; 225.7 cu in) V6. Adjustments were made to compression ratios, turbochargers, rev limit and gear ratios have been made to improve performance along with the addition of variable valve timing to all cams. This resulted in a boost to performance with a manufacturer-claimed engine output of 734 PS (540 kW; 724 hp) at 8500 rpm and 898 lb·ft (663 N·m) at 7000 rpm. Other mechanical changes include a titanium exhaust, reworked suspension, active aerodynamic wing, and 20-inch (510 mm) R-spec wheels. Huadai claimed performance figures give the Sports Limited Edition a 0–60 mph time of 2.90 seconds, with a skidpad performance of 1.22 g and 121 mph in the slalom.

GTX-R

Huadai introduced the GTX-R on January 8, 2011 at the 2011 Antiytia International Auto Show. Exterior changes from the base Evoka consist of a carbon fiber rear spoiler, grille, and brake ducts. Interior changes include a set of carbon fiber racing front seats with the rear seats being completely removed. Carbon fiber covers the center storage box, instrument panel, and replaces the majority of the interior trim.

The Evoka GTX-R is powered by the standard twin-turbo 3,699 cc (3.7 L; 225.7 cu in) V6 with no increase in horsepower. Small adjustments to the turbochargers and gear ratios have been made to improve performance. Other mechanical changes include a titanium exhaust, reworked suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, and 20-inch (510 mm) R-spec wheels. The GTX-R has an active rear differential that automatically shifts torque to whichever of the rear wheels needs it most during manoeuvering, based on spin-slip sensor readings. Overall weight is decreased by 90 kg (198 lb) over the standard Evoka.

In Auto Drive testing the GTX-R posted a 0–60 mph time of 3.40 seconds, pulled 1.12 g on the skidpad and 74.7 mph in the slalom. An earlier tested Delacroix Devil Ray ZR1 (2011) resulted in an identical slalom speed but a lower 1.06 g on the skidpad.

Performance

File:Huadai Evoka Cutaway.png
The exposed framework of the Huadai Evoka displaying chassis, engine and cooling systems

Huadai states the Evoka can reach a top speed of 311.5 km/h (193.5 mph), The Evoka GTX-R has a launch mode, which Huadai calls "S-Mode", and is activated by setting the Transmission and DCA to "S" mode (the Suspension settings can be left in normal mode), holding the brakes, then the throttle, and finally releasing the brakes. The engine speed is now held at 4,000 rpm in this mode. Auto Drive achieved a standing quarter-mile time of 11.46 s at 202 km/h (125 mph).

Comparison tests

The Evoka has frequently featured in head to head track comparisons against competing vehicles conducted automotive press. Motor-Weekly tested the Evoka along with the Mitaishi Coraza in their test track; The Evoka was a second quicker than the Coraza in terms of speed 0-60 mph but the Coraza proved to handle better than the Evoka. Auto Drive performed several head to head comparisons involving the Evoka and competing vehicles. In the first, against the Prinsche GT3 and BM F series, the Evoka was declared to be faster around the test track. Around the AutoFocus Test Track the Evoka holding a time of 1:17.8, equaling the Regalio Hyrdra H Spec, beating the Delacroix Devil Ray ZR1 by 2.6 seconds, and being the fastest Anikatian car to lap the track.

Reception

Press coverage of the concept GTX in 2002 was overwhelmingly positive and contributed to the decision to put the Evoka into production. The first car was released for press review in 2008. Reviewers reported that the design offered "Savage acceleration" But provides supercar performance at a very affordable cost. automotive journalists were particularly impressed with the throttle response, which allowed the driver the ability to control the performance of the car very accurately, and the way in which the engine delivers its power progressively rather than in one short burst. However, some critics of the car consider it underwhelming and too clinical for such a high-performance machine. Journalists and other commentators often bemoaned what they see as a lack of fun or spirit found among most sports and supercars.

Awards and recognition

Year Award and Recognition
2008 AutoFocus Awards – Sports car of the Year
2008 Motor-Weekly – Car of the Year
2008 Anikatia's Most Advanced Technology Award
2009 Seulbyeni Islands Rally Challenge Modern Champion
2009 Seulbyeni Islands Rally Competition Modern Champion
2010 Munhwa Weekly Celebrity Car of the Year
2010 Seulbyeni Islands Rally Challenge Modern Champion
2011 Seulbyeni Islands Rally Competition Modern Champion
2012 Auto Drive – Fastest 0–60 mph acceleration by a four-seater production car

References

  1. "2010 Huadai Evoka Specs and Standard Features". Retrieved March 15, 2012.
  2. "2002 Concept GTX Prototype". Motor-Weekly car pages. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  3. "SEULBYENI NEWS: Huadai Reveals Tantalizing Tidbits About 2008 Evoka Sports car". autofocus.co.ank. December 4, 2004. p. 1. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  4. "2014 Huadai Evoka Press Kit". Huadai News. The Huadai Evoka's unique Premium Executive platform, created expressly for use with the Evoka....

External links