Zhijie R7 Sets New Global Record for Lowest Drag Coefficient Among Production SUVs; Zhao Changjiang Responds to Doubts

Recently, Zhao Changjiang, Executive Director of Zhiji Auto, responded to the controversy surrounding the claim that the Zhiji R7 is the "world's most aerodynamic mass-produced SUV," emphasizing that this achievement "was tested in a wind tunnel—not just 'blown' out of thin air!" He clarified that the R7’s drag coefficient of 0.217 was measured under China’s national standard test conditions at the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) wind tunnel facility, making it the lowest verified drag coefficient among commercially available mass-produced SUVs to date. The new vehicle is scheduled to launch in August 2025, with prices ranging from RMB 249,800 to RMB 309,800. Its aerodynamic efficiency is achieved through a low-slung profile, flush-mounted door handles, and an optimized rear-end design. Yu Chengdong of Huawei also highlighted that at a speed of 120 km/h, aerodynamic drag can consume up to 70% of the vehicle’s energy, noting that even minor differences in drag coefficient can result in range variations of dozens of kilometers.