The Rising Auto F7, a standout in the mid-to-large size sedan category, has garnered significant attention in the evolving landscape of electric vehicles. With the automotive industry witnessing a substantial shift towards greener options, the F7 emerges as a flagship model reflecting this trend. Its range of nine variants offers an impressive array of choices in terms of driving range, catering to diverse consumer needs. Launched in 2023, the F7 has not only made its mark in terms of sales but also stands as a testament to the rising popularity and technological advancement in electric vehicles. In this review, we delve into the 2023 Urban Edition of the F7, exploring its exterior design, interior features, safety configurations, spatial performance, and driving experience to understand what makes it an attractive option in its segment.
Exterior
The Rising Auto F7, a mid-to-large size sedan, boasts a streamlined design that exemplifies boundaryless aesthetics. At the front, it features a wide-body sports sedan contour with distinctive split headlight units. The elongated daytime running lights and sharp front headlights significantly enhance vehicle recognition from a distance. The lower part includes a horizontal air intake and pronounced engine lines, adding to its powerful appearance. The vehicle is equipped with LED headlights and daytime running lights, featuring adaptive high and low beams, automatic headlight control, headlight height adjustment, and a delayed-off function.
The side profile of the F7 shows a steeply raked back, conveying a sporty stance. Sharp lines add a clear sense of layers, complemented by silver chromed trims around the windows. It also features trendy hidden electric door handles and frameless door design, uncommon in its class. The car rolls on 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and the external rearview mirrors are equipped with electric adjustment, heating, folding, memory function, automatic dip on reverse, and auto-folding on lock.
At the rear, the F7 sports a dynamic design with through-type taillights. The brand logo in the center is illuminated, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The lower part is wrapped in a large black surround, incorporating a diffuser-style design.
Interior
The interior of the F7 features an enveloping cockpit layout with a T-shaped longitudinal design, primarily in dark tones for a sleek look. The doors and central armrest are adorned with glossy black chrome trim, adding a touch of sophistication. Soft-touch materials are used extensively, providing a delicate tactile experience. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped and supports both vertical and horizontal adjustments.
The vehicle's infotainment system includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, a 15.05-inch central control screen, and a 12.3-inch co-driver screen, powered by the RISING OS and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset. It incorporates a GPS navigation system, roadside assistance, Bluetooth car phone, connected car functionality, OTA updates, and a voice recognition control system.
Safety and Driving Assistance
The F7 is well-equipped with safety and driver assistance features, including lane departure warning, collision warnings (front, rear, and side), door opening warning (DOW), active braking, lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, tire pressure display, rear parking radar, 360-degree panoramic imaging, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic parking. It boasts five external cameras, four ultrasonic radars, and two millimeter-wave radars, supporting an L2 level driving assistance system for real-time monitoring and intervention.
Space and Comfort
The dimensions of the F7 are 5000mm in length, 1953mm in width, and 1494mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3000mm. The interior space is generous, offering ample legroom and headroom in the rear seats, making it comfortable for daily use. The seats are made of faux leather, with electric adjustment for both the driver and passenger seats, including headrest, lumbar, and leg support adjustments. The rear seats can be folded down in a 40:60 ratio.
Performance
The F7 is powered by a 294 horsepower permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, with a total power output of 216 kW and a torque of 450 Nm. It houses a 64 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, supporting fast charging in 0.5 hours and slow charging in 10.25 hours. The vehicle offers a pure electric range of 500 kilometers. The transmission is an electric vehicle single-speed gearbox. The suspension system includes a front double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension.
During the test drive, the F7 displayed a harmonious blend of dynamism and tranquility. Acceleration is responsive, providing a noticeable push-back feeling. The chassis and suspension tuning effectively balance motion and stability, filtering out road noise and vibrations. The steering is light and precise, adding to the overall driving enjoyment.
Conclusion
Overall, the Rising Auto F7 impresses with its stylish and sporty exterior, simplistic yet elegant interior, and a rich set of features, including an L2 level driving assistance system and a 500 km range. Its competitive positioning in its class makes it a strong contender in the market.