A month elapsed swiftly, leaving only seven days before the commencement of the Ward's 10 Best Engines competition. Audi Motors had submitted a comprehensive suite of entries, encompassing powertrain systems, vehicle chassis, interior architecture, and a fully integrated vehicle platform. However, the focal point of their submission—and the element commanding the industry's attention—was the HX8888.
This six-cylinder engine represented a complete departure from legacy designs. Developed from a clean slate, it exhibited none of the systemic flaws that plagued earlier generation engines. The EA8888, from Haifeng's prior professional tenure, had become notorious for chronic oil consumption and thermal inefficiencies. In contrast, the HX8888 operated with superior thermal stability, higher output, and extended service life. Audi Motors submitted two variants—a turbocharged configuration and a naturally aspirated version—expertly calibrated by chief engineer Tang San.
Haifeng's expectations were not aspirational but confident projections rooted in technical superiority.
Simultaneously, the TT coupe, a compact and assertively styled sports model, had garnered enthusiastic internal reception. Beneath its streamlined exterior lay a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbocharged engine, featuring direct fuel injection, dual overhead camshafts, and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Output: 420 horsepower
Torque: 560 Nm
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds
These metrics placed the TT firmly within the high-performance segment, securing its status in the "3-second club."
Internally, the vehicle became a staff favorite, particularly among the female demographic. Haifeng sanctioned one unit for in-house demonstration to mitigate excessive internal demand while dispatching the remainder to the United States in preparation for Ward's evaluation. He, Tang San, and Xu Zhilin were scheduled to depart within five days.
Haifeng refocused on the strategic roadmap for the coming fiscal year in Piao City. His foremost objectives included reinforcing China Star's dominance in the mid-tier smartphone market and overseeing the final construction phase for the company's proprietary OLED fabrication facility.
Achieving full vertical integration in display manufacturing would eliminate reliance on international suppliers, thereby insulating the company from external disruptions and securing long-term supply chain autonomy. Yet such ambitions demanded capital and elite operational talent, engineering leadership, and a robust management infrastructure capable of executing at scale.
This was not an interim expansion. It was an infrastructural cornerstone. Amid these developments, Meizu re-entered the competitive landscape.
After an extended silence, marked by an absence of new product announcements or technical disclosure, Meizu unveiled its long-anticipated flagship:
Meizu MX4.
The device launch was hosted in Yanjing. Haifeng, whose chip platform powered the MX4, received a formal invitation. His role was not peripheral; it was integral. Meizu's Chief Executive Officer took the stage at the press event with composed assurance.
"We postponed this product for four months," he said. "We intended to perfect every facet of its design."
He was not exaggerating.
MX4 Key Specifications:
3D curved glass chassis
Sony IMX220 image sensor with 20.7MP resolution
Closed-loop autofocus mechanism with 0.3-second lock speed
4K video recording at 25 frames per second in burst mode
The display specifications were equally formidable:
5.36-inch full-screen LCD supplied by Sharp
85% screen-to-body ratio
Conventional top-notch layout
2K resolution
NTSC color gamut coverage: 86%
Peak luminance: 320 nits
While the luminance value might not lead the market on paper, the real-world visual performance was well-balanced, free of oversaturation, and tuned for clarity across ambient lighting conditions.
"This," the CEO proclaimed, "is the most refined smartphone we have ever engineered."
For once, Haifeng found himself in complete agreement. Meizu had not only recovered; it had delivered. And the smartphone sector had gained a formidable new entrant.