2009 Roewe 550: MG Rover’s Successor Unveils New Sedan

A while ago we showed the first images of Roewe’s new compact sedan called 550. Today, the Chinese automaker, which acquired the rights to build MG-Rover cars from the Brits in 2005, released a whole bunch of pictures of the 550. Despite the fact that 550’s exterior design has been inspired from a variety of cars including the VW Passat and the Lexus IS, we must admit that its styling is more than decent.

Same goes for the sedan’s interior even though from what we know, Roewe did not acquire the rights from BMW to imitate its dashboard design… Still, we think you’ll agree with us when we say that the 550’s cabin looks a whole much better than many Japanese, Korean and American cars. The 550 will be available in China later on this year equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine while exports are expected to begin towards the end of 2008. –Click through for more images

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2008/04/2009-roewe-550-mg-rovers-successor.html?m=0

2009 Roewe 550: It’s Not a VW Passat – Seriously...

Chinese carmaker Roewe who acquired the rights to build MG-Rover cars from the dismantled British automaker in 2005, is getting ready to introduce its second sedan model after the Rover 75 derived 750E at the Beijing Auto Show this April. The Roewe 550 is the production model of the impressive –for Chinese standards that is- W2 concept car that made its debut at last year’s Shanghai Auto Show.

Sadly, Roewe’s design team decided to make a few changes to the W2’s styling and in particular, they totally redesigned the front end which now looks like a VW Passat that obtained braces. Why? –More pictures after the jump

ics via: Xcar

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2008/03/2009-roewe-550-its-not-vw-passat.html?m=0

Chinese Roewe models coming to Europe in 2008 via SsangYong distributors

According to a report from Automotive News Europe, Roewe will enter the European market quite sooner than expected thanks to the help of SsangYong, which like Roewe, is a subsidiary of SAIC. Starting in 2008, Roewe will introduce its first model in Europe, the production version of the W2 concept (pic) that premiered at the Shanghai Show. Although the Chinese carmaker intends to launch Roewe as a separate brand in 2010 through an extended SAIC network, ANE reports that the W2 will be distributed through the dealer network of its Korean subsidiary and sold under the SsangYong badge.-Continued: Click "Read More..." below

Not exactly the turnout most industry observers were expecting when SAIC bought the design rights for the Rover 75 & 25 from MG Rover before the latter collapsed in 2005. Albeit SAIC’s "SsangYong dribble" seems like a smart move now, helping them fastforward their European penetration, I believe it would have been wiser to wait a couple of years until they created a SAIC network.

Via: Automotive News Europe

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/04/chinese-roewe-models-coming-to-europe.html?m=0

Roewe W2: Shanghai concept previews Roewe’s forthcoming compact sedan

Roewe, or in other words Rover’s Chinese spouse presented a brand new concept at this year’s Shanghai Show, the W2 sedan which was penned by former MG Rover designers and SAIC's own team. Even though it’s more than obvious that the design team took a peek or two in the Toyota/Lexus range, you’ve have to admit that the W2 actually looks quite good and has nothing to do with most of the dull-looking, mixed-grilled creations you usually see from Chinese car makers. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

According to SAIC owned Roewe, the Ford Focus Sedan sized W2 will go into production towards the end of the year with international sales staring in 2008. The W2 will be Roewe’s second model after the launch of the Rover 75 derived, 750E.

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/04/roewe-w2-shanghai-concept-previews.html?m=0