Qoros Auto Co. Ltd., the joint car-making venture of Israel Corporation (TASE: ILCO) and China's Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., has unveiled the full specs of its first production model car for the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Qoros also unveiled the specs of two other models, which will become production models soon.
The Qoros 3 sedan will be the company's first production model for the family market. It is 4.62 meters long, 1.84 meters wide, and a 2.69-meter wheel base. The engine, jointly designed by China and Germany, is a 1.6-liter gasoline 126-horsepower engine, and the turbo version has 156 horsepower. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic gearbox developed in Germany.
Later, Qoros will present cars with a newer 1.6 turbo gasoline engine and a 1.2-liter 130-horsepower engine.
The standard Qoros car will have a multimedia system with a wide tablet-style touch screen. The screen will have online hook-up from the car to the company's servers.
Qoros will also present in Geneva its cross-over model, which has the same chassis as the sedan, but with a hybrid engine, electric axle, lithium battery made by LG Corporation (KSX: 3350), and advanced electronic management system. The car was originally designed to be supported by Better Place Inc's battery replacement system, but it is not known if this plan is still in effect. Qoros will also present a station wagon model, based on the sedan's chassis, which will be probably be launched in 2014.
Qoros does not plan to sell its cars in Israel at this time, although some cars may be brought in for test purposes.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 17, 2013
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013