In 2007 I declared the Roewe 550 was the best looking Chinese car to date. Autoblog disagreed. Five years later, the Chang-an Eado hatchback is on the verge of launching and has now taken the title of best looking Chinese car to date, the compact hatch has the stance of a Buick Excelle XT hatch, but somehow manages to look considerably better.

Chang-an are a company worth watching, they have invested heavily in technology as well as research and development, they boast research centers in Beijing and the UK, as well as purchasing centers in the USA to make sure they are getting the best talent and the best technology into their cars. Power for the new Eado hatchback will come in the form of a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine to start with, then followed by a 1.5T paired with a Dual Clutch gearbox. Eventually a plugin hybrid is on the horizon as well.

The Eado hatchback will be named the XT when it launches in April at the Shanghai Auto Show. The model measures in at LxWxH 4425 x 1815 x 1485mm and has a wheelbase of 2660mm. Limited production has already begun with 13 models being produced to date, mass production will begin shortly after Chinese New Year. Pricing is difficult to gauge, but with a car looking this good we can expect dealers will ramp up the price.