Roewe R95 – its not dead, and in development?!
The Roewe R95, sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Roewe 950, was initially thought to just be a skunk project, i.e. a model that the engineers whipped up in their spare time to show that they had some ideas, but it seems that the R95 is slowly going towards production.
The R95 is basically a Ssangyong Chairman limousine that SAIC brought over from Ssangyong when they were majority share holders prior to the brown stuff hitting the fan and SAIC being kicked out of the Korean company via Ssangyong declaring bankruptcy, but before that happened it seems that SAIC got hold of the Chairman and the Kyron IPR, the latter becoming the new Roewe W5 SUV
The R95 has undergone the Chinese special treatment and has been lengthened, despite it originally being a short wheel base limosuine, SAIC obviously felt that it wasn’t long enough in the rear and have given its wheelbase a boost to 3270mm long, hence the extended B pillars which have taken on some Roewe logos. On the power front the R95 will make full use of Ssangyong derived 2.8L and 3.6L engines and will be mated to an 8 speed gearbox from an unknown supplier although it could be from ZF.
A launch date has not yet been announced but it appears that SAIC might be targeting the coveted government procurement list and will aim to sell the R95 to higher up government officials.
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Honestly why are they bothering to make a clone of a Ssangyong? And why use the Mercedes 2.8 and 3.6 engines when they have just finished developing their own 3.6 V6 engine – proudly on display over in MG Birmingham?
This and the Roewe W5 are serious backwards steps for a manufacturer that looked like it wanted to be taken seriously for developing its own cars.
Since the Roewe brand is for domestic use, I don’t think the W5 or R95 will see any export sales. This seems to be a way to get some return on their original Ssangyong investment, and nothing more. The big saloon will give them a competitive vehicle for the Government Procurement List, which helps their fleet sales. The W5 gives them a Roewe branded SUV in a market where that type of vehicle is selling well. However, I don’t believe that either vehicle is significant in SAIC’s future plans.
I was going to request more info on this but I found it here http://www.mg-rover.org/articles/1/994/mg_powertrains_%28engines__gearboxes%29/index.htm?
An interesting development. I can’t see what the hell they’re going to put a 3.6 V6 in any time soon unless they use it in the R95 or W5
could see this as a rover no problem but since they can not use the rover brand how about the austin as Nanjing have the rights to it.