SHANGHAI, China — Great Wall Cool Bear. Great brand, great nameplate. Only one problem: It's a dead ringer for a Scion xB. Viewers will surely notice just that at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, where the final production-ready model will be on display.
That resemblance might be a problem if the Chinese automaker, Great Wall, were planning to market this latest compact in North America. But that's not the case, at least not immediately.
The boxy little Cool Bear made its first public appearance a year ago as a concept at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show.
The Cool Bear will reach dealerships in China shortly, priced starting at around $9,350 and aimed — like the xB — at hip young buyers. One Chinese Web site described the car as "tough [and] full of masculine strength."
The Cool Bear is powered by a Great Wall-developed 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 103 horsepower and 102 pound-feet of torque.
Inside Line says: You may only think you're looking at a Scion xB. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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