Changan Eado Plus 1.4T: A punchier and edgier step up

By Ghaith Madadha - Jul 26,2021 - Last updated at Jul 26,2021

Photos courtesy of Changan

First introduced in 2018 and face-lifted for 2020, the Changon Eado arrived in Jordan just weeks ago and is offered in a single and comprehensively equipped Limited specification package.

Slated as a 2022 model year and now badged as the Eado Plus, the Chinese manufacturer’s C-segment Hyundai Elantra-fighting saloon is a car transformed, courtesy of a decidedly more potent but downsized turbocharged power plant, significantly more up-market interior appointment, generous equipment levels and a distinctly more aggressive front redesign, as driven with the “S” appearance package.

Sportier re-style

A modern design with a rakishly sleek, almost coupe-like roofline, high-set rear deck, and sharply defined lines, creases and ridges, the refreshed Eado Plus is little different in design than the outgoing model from side and rear views, save for a redesigned rear bumper featuring sporty faux brake vents and dual chrome-ringed and integrated exhaust tips. However, it is the Eado Plus’s more thoroughly revised front treatment, which transforms a perhaps slightly conservative or generic design persona into something dramatically edgier and wildly more aggressive.

Better integrated with its overall design, the revised Eado Plus’s fascia is dominated by massive full-height and near full-width “S” trim black honeycomb mesh grille. Shark-like in demeanour, the Eado Plus’s new grille design is an aggressive affair, and is framed by big, sculpted and deep faux side intakes with matching mesh, for a snouty look. Chrome-ringed and with sharp lower lip, the Eado’s grille is meanwhile complemented with slim, prominently browed headlights — and bigger 17-inch alloys — to allude to now significantly improved output and performance.

Generously confident

Positioned transversely and driving the front wheels through a smooth, responsive and slick shifting 7-speed automated dual-clutch gearbox in place of its predecessor’s 6-speed automatic, the revised Eado Plus similarly ditches the outgoing model’s naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre engine for a smaller but more powerful turbocharged, direct injection 1.4-litre four-cylinder unit. Lifted from the sporty CS35 Plus crossover, the Eado Plus’s engine develops the same 156BHP at 5,500rpm and generous 192lb/ft torque throughout a broad 1,500-4,000rpm range, but with a lower mass at 1,365kg, delivers noticeably better performance.

Smooth and refined in delivery, the Eado Plus’s 1.4T engine might not be as linear and progressive as its 1.6L predecessor, but packs a significantly bigger punch as it wells up with a massive mid-range torque reservoir making for effortlessly brisk overtaking and acceleration on inclines. Riding a broad and accessible torque band, the Eado Plus revs happily to redline. With only mild and brief turbo lag before spooling up to boost, perhaps slightly more aggressive downshifts could have been employed for its gearbox’s “Sport” mode.

Refined and forgiving

An unexpectedly and impressively muscular mid-range performer in its class, the Eado Plus’s torque-rich abilities nicely match its newfound and overtly sporting styling direction, and it is quoted as being capable of 7.9-second 0-100km/h acceleration and estimated to top out at 200km/h. Meanwhile, it delivers quick and direct steering response, with more emphasis on refinement than feel and feedback. Tidy and responsive turning into corners, the Eado Plus’s front grip threshold seemed higher than expected during brief test drive, while rear road-holding — and braking ability — seemed reassuringly confident.

A predictable and comfortable drive with good vibration, harshness and noise isolation, the expectation is that the Eado is biased for under-steer bias rather than over-steer at its dynamic limit. Through corners it leans slightly given its forgiving ride, but nevertheless delivers decent cornering body roll control. Smooth and supple rather than taut and pinned to the ground, the Eado Plus dispatches most imperfections in its stride, while vertical rebound control over choppy surfaces is decent, if not that of an outright and dedicated sports saloon.

Up-market accommodation

Quiet and refined inside, the Eado Plus’s cabin in Limited trim level, as offered in Jordan, is a significant move up-market over its predecessor. Its cabin is swathed with leather and soft textures, and includes a sporty and chunky steering wheel, horizontal dual digital instrument cluster and infotainment screens, and mostly good quality surfaces. Sportier in character inside, the Eado Plus features a more driver-oriented dashboard and console, with uncluttered clean surfaces. Meanwhile boot space is generously deep and rear accommodation above average, with emphasis on legroom.

Sporty and stylish inside, the Eado features comfortable and supportive — if slightly high-set — electric sports seats, and a sportily elegant and slightly rearwards-oriented gear lever, for manual mode gearshifts. Generously equipped with safety, convenience and infotainment features, the Eado Plus Limited comes with dual zone A/C and ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, 360° camera, rear parking sensors, dashcam, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, dual front and front-side airbags, stability and traction control, intelligent boot release, keyless entry, heated side mirrors and much more.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 1.4-litre, transverse, turbocharged 4-cylinders

Valve-train: 16-valve, DOHC, direct injection

Gearbox: 7-speed dual-clutch automated, front-wheel-drive

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 156 (158) [116] @5,500rpm

Specific power: 112BHP/litre

Power-to-weight: 114.2BHP/tonne

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 192 (260) @1,500-4,000rpm

Specific torque: 190.4Nm/litre

Torque-to-weight: 125.8Nm/tonne

0-100km/h: 7.9-seconds (estimate)

Top speed: 200km/h (estimate)