Earlier in the year, a Chinese company calling itself Qoros, prevented Kia from using a similar sounding name, Quoris, for its next European-bound, large saloon. They sued Kia, and it got ugly, in a story as ironic as anything we’ve ever heard, considering Chinese automobile manufacturers are normally far less conscious of copyright infringement when they’re the ones doing the borrowing.
Now the new Chinese car brand, Qoros, has provided an early glimpse of its first-ever model with a series of sketches it released this week. We think it’s got quite a lot of Seat, Kia and Volkswagen going on in the styling department. Qoros also plans to have its first major model be a smaller, C-segment type of car, that will take on the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf in the European market.
The design is the work of former Mini design boss, Gert Volker Hildebrand, who now heads up Qoros’ design department. “Very few designers have the chance to design the badge first and then go on to reflect a completely new vision and dream by designing a brand’s first family of cars”, Hildebrand said.
The new sedan is set to debut in production guise at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March already, (isn’t that a bit fast?) with sales of the C11 sedan set to commence in late 2013 in both Chinese and European markets. Qoros has confirmed two further models will debut as concepts in Geneva.
Rumour suggests a Chery-designed 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, mated to a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic transmission might do the propulsion. Qoros has also pledged that a hybrid and electric version will follow, and that all models will meet international environmental standards and safety ratings.
Qoros is currently constructing a new manufacturing facility in China, with an initial capacity of 150 000 units annually. Qoros is a joint venture between Chery and Israeli investment firm Israel Corp. It is headed up by former Volkswagen Executive Volker Steinwascher.
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