Part 1: Guangzhou Auto Show New Car launches – The Domestics

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The Guangzhou Auto Show opens very soon and will see the launch of a large selection of new cars from the internationals and the domestic manufacturers alike.

The domestic manufacturers go from strength to the strength with every show, from awkward designs in 2005 to fluid lines that are capable of taking on their international rivals in the style department. The following cars are having their launch party at the Guangzhou Show:

MG6:
The MG6 is the car that MG fans the world over have been waiting nearly 5 years for, it shares a shortened Rover 75 platform with the Roewe 550 sedan but the MG6 will be coming in fastback form. Interestingly, the Roewe and MG stands are seperated at this years show and will be in separate halls. Roewe is placed next to Landrover, whilst MG is facing off BMW. MG will be showing off the slogan ‘MG – Make the difference!’

Chanfeng Acumen
The Changfeng Acumen is Changfeng’s first sedan and is a break away from their traditional area of SUV’s. The Acumen was first shown at this years Shanghai Auto show and shows that Changfeng does have the internal talent to bring their designs to fruitation, since their takeover by Guangzhou Automotive their internal R&D seems to have accelerated and has brought the Acumen sedan to production level. The Acumen measures in at (LxWxH) 4480/1770/1462mm, and has a wheelbase of 2640mm. Power is expected to come from a choice of 1.6L, 1.8L and a first to be launched 2.0L

Greatwall i7
The Greatwall i7 is GWM’s first premium hatchback, with an interesting grill and a rear end that we may have seen somewhere else before. Pictures of the i7 interior made it to CCT several days ago and shows that the i7 looks to be well built and clearly a step ahead of other GWM vehicles. The i7 will be taking power from a 1.5VVT self developed engine from GWM and will be mated to a 5 speed manual or a CVT gearbox, pricing is expected to be around 70,000rmb to 100,000rmb.

Chang’an
Although Guangzhou is far Chang’an, Chang’an are planning to roll into town as the third biggest car maker in China after their recent tie up with AVIC which gave them access to Changhe and Hafei automobiles. Chang’an will have a mega display of new cars including the new facelift Ben Ben, the Yue Xiang, A101 mini car and the C116.

Chang’an Yue Xiang
The Yue Xiang sedan has proved to be a highly popular sedan for Chang’an, with monthly sales often going over 10,000 units. The Yue Xiang hatchback is expected to improve sales further, the hatchback measures in at 4080mm long, whilst the sedan is 4360mm

The hatchback Yue Xiang will be powered by a 1.5L engine, and will be mated to a 5 speed manual and also an automatic gearbox. The Yue Xiang will be split into three different models (standard, luxury, and aristocratic). Pricing is expected to be between 50,000 and 70,000rmb, which will no doubt appeal to young buyers.

Chang’an A101
The Chang’an A101 is Chang’an’s first entry into the super mini segment, the A101 is not expected to replace the well selling Chang’an Ben Ben, but rather it will be placed below the Ben Ben in the Chang’an product line up.

The A101 is likely to give the BYD F0 some stiff competition in the coming months, the engine for the A101 is the Chang’an self developed 1.0L engine and will be given a 5 speed manual gearbox, although an AMT gearbox is expected to follow. The A101 is based off the Suzuki Alto platform.

Chang’an C116
The Chang’an C116 is being marketed as Chang’ans leisure car, and will be a cross segment affair. Production is set to begin sometime in 2010 and will give given a 1.6L engine.