ABT Chapter 135: More Successful Than Expected

  Li Fanyu refused Wang Dazui's request, not because he was stingy or eccentric, but because such tests were too damaging to the car.

  Half of the test cars almost needed to be replaced after each test, otherwise they might be scrapped at any time. You should know that this X-power hasn't even gone through the break-in period yet! He didn't want his first car to be ruined like this.

  But to appease the dejected Wang Dazui, Li Fanyu promised to give him a chance to reshoot in a couple of days. At least he would have the repair shop adjust the car to its best condition, maybe even tweak its performance a bit, and perhaps make it go from zero to 100 km/h in under three seconds...

  Muahaha.

  Wang Dazui finally let go after being repeatedly promised and helped Li Fanyu out of the car. With deep apologies, he hurriedly ran off with the cameraman before Li Fanyu could react.

  Li Fanyu extended his hand, weakly murmuring as he watched Wang Dazui's departing figure, "You promised to treat me to a meal..."

  "Buddy, I have to rush to finish the draft and post it before midnight! I'll definitely treat you to seafood another day!" Wang Dazui shouted back without turning his head, jumped into the car, and sped off.

  Li Fanyu shook his head, no sense of honor... He had been busy since last night and his stomach was still empty. Besides, the car couldn't be driven, and that jerk didn't even offer to tow him back!

  Not very gentlemanly!

  In the end, the karting club people helped him out, using a pickup truck to transport him and the car back to Zhengxin Company. To thank the driver, he paid out of his own pocket to treat the driver to a meal at a nearby restaurant.

  After eating his fill and returning to the company, he quickly ran diagnostics on the car.

  Upon inspection, he felt quite proud.

  Even though the car was pushed to its limits without a proper break-in, all parts were still in perfect condition with no signs of malfunction.

  Xapp's high-tech product indeed lived up to its quality!

  However, from the recent test, he had roughly grasped the car's performance. Although the handling hadn't been modified, the driving experience on the track was still excellent. It seemed that there wouldn't be much need for adjustments before it hit the market, just minor tweaks to improve handling and shifting smoothness.

  Meanwhile, Wang Dazui returned to the office and immediately got to work, editing the entire report and staying up until midnight to finish it.

  As for the X-power, he was completely impressed. Putting aside his personal relationship with Li Fanyu, even from a car reviewer's perspective, he couldn't help but praise it highly.

  The entire video was 25 minutes long, incorporating various references and comparisons, along with on-site test footage, providing a comprehensive analysis.

  Of course, the highlight at the end of the video was the speed test footage.

  Though the video was a bit blurry, the fierce and stylish X-power's lone dominance was vividly displayed on the screen.

  At midnight, Wang Dazui's report was published on the homepage of Car Review Network— "Exclusive Witness to the First Domestic Sports Car X-power Road Test, Bringing You All Your Dreams and Passion!"

  Despite the late hour, the review immediately sparked a huge response.

  "Sofa!"

  "Bench! Oh my god, did I read that right? Zero to 100 km/h in under four seconds!"

  "Snatching the third floor! I saw pictures taken by passersby on Weibo this morning, thought it was just a flashy car, didn't expect such powerful performance! Asking for the price, can a poor guy like me afford it!"

  "Hey, poor guy above, looking at all the supercars that accelerate in under 4 seconds, their prices are generally above 2 million. According to the designer Li Fanyu, this car is hand-made, so the cost must be extremely high. Considering the domestic parts supply environment, it should be independently designed, outsourced for production, and assembled. The price will definitely exceed 2 million, if you can afford it, I'll eat shit on live broadcast."

  "Joker above, go check out the third floor's car posts. This guy claims to be a poor guy but he's actually a rich dude! His ID 'Life-on-the-line' on Car Review Network has slapped many people in the face... His underground garage has the entire series of Revs Fast! Not to mention 2 million, even 5 million he can afford!"

  "Eat shit! Eat shit!"

  "Don't joke around, seriously if this car is priced under 2 million, it will be an absolute gem!"

  "This morning on Weibo, I felt the interior was quite crude, but in the video, this test car looks much better. Sleek exterior, luxurious interior, outstanding performance. I just want to say, domestic cars can be awesome too!"

  "This Zhengxin Company first built the best automotive laboratory in the country, then released the first engine. Now they even made a supercar! Dazui said this car uses their self-produced engine, the ZGX888! What is awesome, this is awesome!"

  "I can't wait, I'm in Tiancheng, tomorrow I'll go knock on Zhengxin's door! Watch me live stream the price inquiry!"

  "Comrade, you go first, I'm ready to buy."

  ...

  So, early the next morning, Zhengxin's gate was blocked. A large crowd of people, along with various reporters, swarmed in, asking every Zhengxin employee they encountered about the X-power.

  This left the employees quite helpless; we really don't know! The boss didn't reveal anything to us, how do you expect us to answer!

  Thus, before Li Fanyu could even wake up, he was roused by a call from An Ning.

  "My dear brother! Can you give us a heads-up before stirring things up? Hurry over, we can't even open the lab door!"

  When he arrived at the company, still groggy, he was immediately bombarded by reporters with various microphones and cameras. The buzzing noise made his head spin.

  "One at a time! You first!"

  He randomly pointed—hmm, he chose a busty female reporter.

  "Mr. Li, when will the X-power be officially launched?"

  "It hasn't gone through calibration and approval yet, but I believe it won't take too long, soon. Next!"

  "Why design such a car? Everyone knows that the domestic market for civilian cars is huge, especially for domestically produced cars. Why did your company make a sports car as its first product? And will you continue to focus on sports cars and not make civilian cars?"

  "Your questions are too many. First, I like sports cars. Second, Zhengxin will diversify, based on our current R&D level, there will be multiple models in the future. Third, sports cars are also civilian cars. Next!"

  "Hello! I'm here to ask on behalf of netizens! What is the approximate price of the X-power?"

  Li Fanyu was surprised; wow, someone eager to buy even before the car officially launched. Seems there's a market, he had to answer this question carefully.

  If he remembered correctly, in that timeline, the X-bow was priced at 1.35 million, with costs around 500,000.

  Now, well, costs should be around 200,000. But this is high-tech! Plus, the interior is optimized.

  After a quick calculation, with a merchant's smile, he replied, "Thank you for your interest. Due to hand-made production, the cost of the X-power is around 1 million. As for the price, considering it’s the first domestic sports car, it can't be too high, we need to make a small profit but sell more. About 1.4 million, that should be it."

  "Really?"

  "Yes, more or less."

  "Can I pay by card here? I want to reserve one, full payment!"

  Li Fanyu: "..."

  "Of course, we accept reservations! And I can reveal a little secret: the first 100 X-power cars off the line will be unique commemorative editions! As the first domestically produced sports car, or even the first independently developed car, it has great collectible value! Wang Meimei? Wang Meimei? Lead those who want to reserve to make payments!"

  Watching several people follow the raised-arm Wang Meimei, Li Fanyu chuckled foolishly.

  Seems it will be more successful than expected!


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