- The Rely range gets a new X5 crossover with a locking differential and more than 7 inches of ground clearance.
- Riich's X1 is a mini SUV powered by an 83-hp 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine.
- Riich's G6 sedan gets a 168-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a five-speed Tiptronic gearbox.
BEIJING — Chery Automobile continues to broaden its Riich and Rely sub-brands with the addition of new models in several sizes and segments, which were displayed at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show.
The Rely range of people movers and utility vehicles is getting a new compact crossover, the X5, that has less in common stylistically with BMW than it does with Honda. The X5 can be ordered in four-wheel drive with an electronic differential lock and more than 7 inches of ground clearance, and comes with automatic climate control and a single-disc CD system.
The Riich X1 is being billed as China's first domestic "mini-SUV." Powered by an 83-horsepower 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, the X1 features four airbags and antilock brakes.
The range-topping Riich G6 sedan, which competes with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, is chock full of amenities not seen on many Chinese-brand cars. They include heated and cooled massaging front seats with power lumbar support, a GPS navigation system and a touchscreen DVD entertainment system with three screens.
Power comes from a 168-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The car rides on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with Goodyear 215/55R17 rubber.
The Riich G3 sedan is an update of the Chery A5, equipped with a choice of four-cylinder engines, including supercharged 1.3- or 1.6-liter units, as well as an optional continuously variable transmission. Stickers start at around $11,400.
The tiny Riich M1 hatchback features cartoon-like styling, a frugal 68-hp 1.0-liter gasoline engine that returns an average 56 mpg and a five-speed manual gearbox. Prices start from around $5,400.
In keeping with the show's green theme, Chery also is displaying four "new energy" models — the A3 ISG, the M1 EV, the M3 EV and the G5 EV — all of which reportedly are heading for production. The A3 ISG is a hybrid version of the Chery A3 sedan, equipped with the company's ISG (integrated starter-generator) system, which bundles a small gasoline engine and an electric motor. The other three models are pure-electric versions of gasoline-engine models from the Riich portfolio, with lithium-ion-phosphate battery packs.
Inside Line says: Chery appears to be a strong proponent of "new energy" vehicles. — Paul Lienert and Hu Lei, Correspondents
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kevin118 says:
06:02 PM, 04/22/2010
Chery as designed some great looking cars, absolutely the best-looking low and mid-end cars from China, with solid build quality. Given that they were working in-depth shoulder to shoulder with Chrysler to build cars for the US market, I can't help but wonder if that's what gave them a leg up. Also of note, a lot of Chinese left US automakers and returned to work for Chery, but after some time, they left out of frustration with the Chinese management style (they optimistically thought things had changed, but NOT.
flwind says:
03:50 PM, 04/22/2010
I like that Bentley knock off emblem on these...As if one would ever confuse the two..