FAW-Volkswagen's new Magotan is on the market, are you satisfied with the starti

tech | 2024-07-12

The all-new Magotan has already generated enough buzz before its launch, with the product itself being one aspect, and Mark Chao being another reason.

Facing this "public rival in love," jealousy and resentment can actually be considered a "genuine expression of feelings." So, when I brushed past Mark Chao in the underground parking lot of the hotel, the voiceover in my mind, "Give back my Yuanyuan!" was deafening.

Let's get back on topic. For the launch of the all-new Magotan, let's first briefly discuss the product, and then talk about the more sensitive issue of pricing.

The all-new Magotan, codenamed B9, is built on the Volkswagen MQB-B platform. The new car has dimensions of 4990/1854/1487mm, with a wheelbase of 2871mm. Compared to the current model, there are slight changes in the body size, with increases in length, width, and height, while the wheelbase remains unchanged.

A small detail is that the rear central protrusion is not as large, with the official data showing a 47% reduction. Space has always been one of the advantages of the Magotan, and the all-new Magotan continues this proud tradition with further improvements.

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In terms of power, the 330 version replaces the previous 1.4T engine with a 1.5T engine, with a maximum power of 118kW and a maximum torque of 250N·m. The 380 version uses a more powerful 2.0T engine, with a maximum power of 162kW and a peak torque of 350Nm. Both are matched with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox. The power parameters are not astonishing in the era of electric vehicles, but as long as you are not an extreme data enthusiast or a wild performance fan, this level of power is more than enough for daily use.

Moreover, Volkswagen's profound experience in chassis tuning will make this front McPherson independent suspension + rear multi-link independent suspension perform quite well. With a similar structure, FAW-Volkswagen can indeed tune the chassis better, and the "German flavor" that everyone has been talking about for so many years is not baseless.

The "controversy" over the exterior and interior design surprised me a bit. It was only after chatting with colleagues at the event that I realized that design is truly a matter of personal preference.

I personally really like the exterior design of the all-new Magotan, especially the front part, especially on the gray and blue models. It is steady without being greasy, dynamic without being ostentatious, and the illuminated logo and through light strip are fashionable yet also cold and elegant. I think this design still reflects the style of a major manufacturer, and it does not pile up popular elements excessively for the sake of "a sense of the times," with the tone and sense of luxury well balanced. It should also be a good design to look back on in a few years.

The interior does indeed feel completely refreshed. The three large screens are not inferior to most competitors on the market and are also a benchmark in mainstream joint venture B-class cars. The 15-inch central control screen + 11.6-inch passenger screen + 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel immediately enhance the sense of technology, but as a conservative, I personally understand but do not agree with this "trend-following" configuration.Of course, there are also opinions that are completely opposite to mine. Some people at the scene felt that the new design of the exterior is not as good as the previous generation, saying it looks like a "big Baolai". The changes to the interior, however, were highly praised. In addition to the visual enhancement, the participation of partners such as DJI, iFLYTEK, Qualcomm, and Huawei, as well as the L2+ level IQ. Pilot intelligent driving assistance system, indeed filled the "shortboard" of "technology" in the previous Magotan.

In terms of configuration, the new Magotan also has some highlights worth mentioning. For example, the front central airbag, the electric adjustment of the second-row seats, the suction ventilation and heating, the cup holder and cloud touch headrest, and the HUD that can clearly display in rainy and snowy weather, etc. ... ... A detail at the press conference is that FAW-Volkswagen product director Wang Yan is not yet a master of speech. She was obviously nervous at the beginning, constantly using large gestures to cheer herself up, but when talking about the impact of these product details on life, she was much more confident.

Next, let's talk about the price.

When the starting price of 179,900 yuan was announced, the applause from the manufacturer's camp at the press conference was loud. The media area where I was located may have been because everyone was taking photos with their mobile phones, so the response was sparse.

In fact, this is also understandable. Before the new Magotan was launched, there was a lot of discussion about pricing on the Internet. This actually reflects that everyone is not worried about FAW-Volkswagen's products and is looking forward to the new Magotan entering the market with a shocking posture.

The starting price of 179,900 yuan for the new Magotan is 7,000 yuan lower than the entry version of the 2023 model, and the top model is also 7,000 yuan lower, and everyone can see the progress in quality.

The reason for the "price drop but it seems not to drop" is that the current market competition is too fierce.

However, it is not too far-fetched to say that the price is outrageous.

First of all, this price includes the launch rights package. One is the exemption from commercial insurance, up to 5,000 yuan, and the other is to give 5 years of 5 basic maintenances (including the first maintenance) and a 1-year/30,000 km extension warranty, which can indeed save some money. Lifetime free traffic is a routine operation at this time. There are also two optional packages, and from the content, the cost-effectiveness is indeed good for users who seriously consider the new Magotan, of course, it would be better if it were free.

In addition, looking at the entire product series of FAW Volkswagen, if the guide price is set too "people-friendly", it will also squeeze the brothers in the same family. The current pricing still has some room for adjustment.There is also an issue that we tend to overlook, which is the quality of the product. From a historical perspective, we can still see the first generation of the Magotan B6, which was introduced in China, on the streets to this day. Over the past seventeen years, the Magotan has garnered the recognition of 2.51 million car owners, which serves as a historical endorsement of the quality of FAW-Volkswagen.

The low prices that are currently being rolled out in the market often put value on the surface. The new Magotan has made significant investments in areas that are not easily seen, such as safety and quality, and these invisible investments come with non-negligible costs. In fact, this is also in line with the Magotan's consistent tone, whether it is the product or the pricing. It is not difficult to achieve a superficially explosive impact, but in comparison, persisting in doing the right thing requires more courage and strength.

In terms of the market, in the first half of this year, the Magotan still holds a leading position in this segment of the market, which also indirectly indicates that even within this price range and under such market competition, the quality of the Magotan is still highly recognized. It is important to note that the Magotan now has to face fierce price reductions from old rivals like the Accord and Camry, as well as downward pressure from new energy products like the Model 3 and luxury brands. The current model's performance is already quite rare. The upgraded new Magotan remains a significant force in this segment. If market competition continues, the heavy responsibility of the "price war" will most likely fall on the Magotan 2 million people's shared model with a lower guide price, and it is not impossible for a more people-friendly "XX Edition" to be introduced later.

For friends planning to choose a mid-to-high-end car, the new Magotan is an option that cannot be ignored. As for when to place an order for the new Magotan, my view is that the earlier you buy, the earlier you enjoy, and there are also priority reservation rights, but if you are not in a hurry, it is also possible to wait and see.