Several Chinese sites have recently exposed an extended version of Wagon R to be launched by the joint venture of Changhe-Suzuki later this year, along with the all-new passenger car brand it bears. Called Beidouxing X5, the upcoming box car is to have a wheelbase of nearly 3550mm, compared with that of 3400mm of the 2011 Suzuki Beidouxing and that of 3450mm of the 2011 Suzuki Beidouxing e+, two other Chinese versions of (the first generation) Wagon R （Beidouxing means the Big Dipper in Chinese）.

The spy shots show that Beidouxing X5 is directly based on Beidouxing e+ (which features a 1.4L engine, K14B, and sells for 50,300-580,000 Yuan). While significantly longer and bigger, the X5 seems to retain most of e+’s styling elements, exterior or interior. It also inherits the front MacPherson and rear trailing arm suspensions. For engine options, the X5 is likely to get the 1.6L M16A, found on Liana, besides the 1.4L K14B on the e+.

The logo on the X5 draws much attention, although no one is able to name it yet. Some interpret it as a representation of two "Cs" and a "H," thus the name of "Chang-He/Changhe." The new nameplate will join the group of low-cost, China-only brands recently launched or planned by sino-foreign joint ventures, which include Qichen (Venucia) from Dongfeng-Nissan, Baojun from SGMW, Linian (Everus) from GAC-Honda, Kaili from FAW-Volkswagen.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Related Posts:

• » Chery and Israel Corp. Unveils Qoros Automotive
• » Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from Fujian Daimler Goes on Sale for $65,680--$71,965
• » BYD to Start Selling the All-Electric e6 to Individuals at the End of October
• » Brilliance Auto Releases All-New Midsize Sedan: Zhonghua H530
• » GM and Partners Release Baojun 630 Compact Sedan