The second car spotted that excites us is the larger, better-equipped Hong Guang. This car matches the Mahindra Xylo in size and function. Hong Guang was first unveiled at Beijing Show last year, more easily known by its code name CN100, is the latest and most upmarket MPV from Wuling. The branding is still work in progress and it is expected to bombard the market in July 2012.
This vehicle has been spotted testing in India many times. Now thanks to Auto Bild/CarWale.com reader Mr. Sidh once again, for snapping yet another spy pictures of GM Wuling’s upcoming MPV Hong Guang.
Positioned as a family MPV, like the Xylo the Hong Guang has a body-on-frame design and not monocoque where the body and frame is one unit. The seating space on the Hong Guang is for seven people. Flexibility personified; luggage and seating capacity can be increased or decreased based on need. The second and third rows of seats can fold flat or be removed entirely.
Currently Wuling has no diesel options. But India will most likely see a 1.3-litre engine Hong Guang that GM is going to produce at its upcoming engine plant in India. It will be the Fiat multi-jet engine licensed by GM; the same motor that goes into the Punto, Linea, Indica Vista and Indigo Manza.A petrol version with a 1.4-litre engine is also under consideration for a target price between Rs 6-8 Lakh.
GM-Saic has high hopes for this vehicle. Will it wear the Chevrolet badge? Let’s wait and see. While we see how busy GM is, the others are not sitting idle. Maruti Suzuki is set to begin producing its concept car, the seven-seater RIII MPV which may fall in the Rs 5-7 Lakh range. M&M too is believed to be working on a new car in the same segment, a mini-Xylo which will have a shorter wheelbase and minus the third row of seats. This again may come with an aggressive price tag.
Also see – Spied – GM-Wuling Hongtu which will compete with Maruti Eeco
More spied pictures of GM Wuling Hong Guang (CN100 MPV) –
Source – CarWale.com
