Thew new Chinese car brand Qoros has been waiting for the 2013 Geneva Motor Show for a long time, as that will be the place where they officially announce their existence, and intention to become a player in the European market. They are bringing three cars to Geneva: Qoros 3 Sedan, Qoros 3 Estate, and a hybrid crossover.
Qoros 3 Sedan is the only production model for now, going on sale later this year first in China and the in Europe. This compact sedan features a coupe-like silhouette with short overhangs, which result in a rather interesting look, and like every Chinese car it is chock-full of features including an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard.
The engine lineup for Qoros 3 includes two four-cylinder 1.6-litre gasoline engines; one is a naturally-aspirated unit with 93 kW (126 bhp) and 155 Nm maximum torque, and the other turbocharged with 115 kW (156 bhp) and 210 Nm maximum torque. Qoros is also developing a three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbocharged, to be launched later. Standard is a six-speed manual, with a six-speed dual clutch transmission available as option.
The Cross Hybrid model is also interesting, both design-wise, and also in terms of the powertrain. It comes with a three-cylinder turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine at the front, and an electric motor above the rear axle, and a second electric motor – the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) – between the engine and the transmission. It is quite sophisticated.
A computer oversees the transition of power and changes the car between petrol-engine front-wheel drive, electric motor rear-wheel drive, and an all-wheel drive mode.
The Qoros Estate is the other concept car coming to Geneva, showcasing a more practical version of the 3 Sedan. It features an elongated roofline and a large tailgate. The signature horizontal styling themes emphasise the long body profile and the large side windows give the five-door estate body an athletically-pleasing, stretched look.
Foldable rear seats, a wide range of storage compartments and attachment fittings are among the highlights of this model.
