2. VW's Magotan

The Volkswagen Magotan will be produced at the German carmaker's joint venture with First Automotive Works Corp in Northeast China in the first half of next year. The Magotan, developed on Volkswagen's PQ46 platform, will be equipped with a 1.8-litre turbo FSI engine and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The engine can produce a maximum power of 118kw/6,300rpm and offers a maximum torque of 250Nm/2,500-6,000rpm. The model is 4,765 millimetres long, 1,820 millimetres wide and 1,472 millimetres high. It has a 2,709-millimetre wheelbase.

3. Peugeot 607

The Peugeot 607 comes with a 3.0-litre V6 engine which can produce a maximum power of 155kw/6,000rpm and offers a top torque of 290Nm/3,750rpm. It is equipped with Porsche's six-speed Tiptronic transmission. The model's length, width and height are 4,902, 1,826 and 1,442 millimetres. The model will be part of PSA Peugeot Citroen's medium-and-high-end products to be made at a new plant at the company's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor. The new plant will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles.

4. Ford's S-MAX

The S-MAX from Ford will be introduced into the US automaker's joint venture in China with Chang'an Motor and Mazda Motor next year. The 2006 Beijing Motor Show is the S-MAX's Asian debut. The model made its global debut in February in Geneva. In Europe, the S-MAX has three engine options - 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre. It offers 5+2 seating. Details for the planned China-made S-MAX have not been revealed.

5. Neeza

The Neeza is the first concept car developed by Chinese engineers at Volkswagen's joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. The inspiration of the model's design came from the image of the "Ne Zha", a boy-god in Chinese mythology. The venture hasn't revealed the Neeza's technical specifications. The bright-red-colour and sporty model, with a double-U-shape front, is aimed at young buyers. The venture said the Neeza is a combined embodiment of Volkswagen's latest global design concepts and Chinese characteristics. The venture said it intends to put the model into commercial production.

6. Roewe

The Roewe, SAIC's first own-branded sedan since 1993, will be on sale at the end of this year. Its prices are estimated at 230,000 yuan (US$29,110) to 320,000 yuan (US$40,500). The model is based on Rover 75 technology acquired from the failed British carmaker MG Rover. The Roewe has two engine options: a 2.5-litre and a 1.8-litre turbo. The 2.5-litre version's maximum power and torque stand at 135kw/6,500rpm and 240Nm/4,000rpm. The model's length, width and height are 4,865, 1,765 and 1,422 millimetres. It has a 2,849-millimetre wheelbase.

7. Rio

The Rio will be produced at Kia Motors' joint venture with China's Dongfeng Motor and Yueda Group at the end of this year. The subcompact will be the fifth model of the joint venture has produced in East China's Jiangsu Province. The Rio will have two engine options: a 1.4-litre DOHC and a 1.6-litre CVVT. It will be equipped with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox. The Rio is 4,290 millimetres long, 1,695 millimetres wide and 1,480 millimetres high. It has a 2.500-metre wheelbase.

8. Citroen C2

The Citroen C2 was launched at PSA Peugeot Citroen's car venture with Dongfeng Motor Corp last month. The subcompact, retailing between 77,800 yuan (US$9,850) and 106,800 yuan (US$13,520), has two engine options. The four-cylinder 1.4-litre engine can produce a maximum power of 56kw/5,300rpm and offers a top torque of 120Nm/3,400rpm. The four-cylinder 1.6-litre version's maximum output and torque can reach 78kw/5,750rpm and 142Nm/4,000rpm. The model's length, width and height are 3,878, 1,678 and 1,438 millimetres. It has a 2,443-millimetre wheelbase.

(China Daily 11/18/2006 page14)

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