New Chinese automotive brand Qoros is set to turn heads at the upcoming Geneva motor show, revealing not only its first production model but also two concept cars.
The compact C-segment Qoros 3 sedan, due to launch in China in late 2013, measures 4615mm long, 1839mm wide and sits on a 2690mm wheelbase. With sleek lines, short overhangs, LED daytime running lights and tail-lights, a 450-litre boot and 60:40 split rear seats, the five-seat sedan is designed to combine modern looks with generous interior space.
The Qoros 3 sedan is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with variable valve timing and stop-start technology in either a 93kW/155Nm naturally aspirated form or with a turbocharger employed for 115kW and 210Nm. Both engines are teamed with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission available as an option.
Qoros says future plans for a 97kW 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and a 136kW 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit, both with GDI (gasoline direct injection), are also under development in a bid to meet Euro 6 emissions standards that come into effect across Europe next year.
Along with an eight-inch touchscreen that features satellite navigation, social networking connectivity, and the ability for drivers to monitor the car’s health and even book dealer services, Qoros says the system has been designed to replace “the array of switches and buttons that blight many modern car interiors”. A flat-bottomed steering wheel, high-resolution TFT instrument display and Bluetooth/USB/AUX connectivity also feature.
To be produced at a new assembly plant in Changshu, China, Qoros says the Qoros 3 sedan’s modular vehicle architecture will make a rapid expansion of the model range possible, leading to the eventual release of production versions of the Qoros 3 Estate and Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid concepts.
Riding on the same wheelbase and track as the Qoros 3 sedan, the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid concept previews a compact crossover model powered by an all-wheel-drive hybrid drivetrain comprising a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors – one powering the rear wheels and one acting as a generator – for a pure-electric top speed of 120km/h and a maximum EV range target of approximately four kilometres.
Aimed at European motorists, the Qoros 3 Estate concept provides more space and flexibility than the sedan and features an elongated roofline, large tailgate, flat fold rear seats and a ski hatch.
Founded in 2007, Qoros is an equal joint venture partnership between Chery Automobile and Israel Corporation, a global industrial holding company.
The 2013 Geneva motor show starts on March 5.
