Hover Crafts: China's Great Wall said to be readying whole lineup of like-badged crossovers
China's Great Wall Motor has big plans for expansion outside its home country, and rumor has it that the marque plans to launch an entire vehicle line based on its popular Hover CUV. While it's true that many Chinese automakers tend to crib designs from other manufacturers, Great Wall takes it a step further and borrows the entire chassis from an older Toyota 4Runner model. The exterior styling for the current Hover is based on the unloved Isuzu Axiom from 2002, and the engine is supplied by Mitsubishi.
According to Inside Line, a new version of the CUV is set to be shown this week at the Shanghai Motor Show, and it will likely carry the Hover H3 designation. Expect to see a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, all for a base price of around $13K in China.
The smallest 'ute to carry the Hover nameplate will reportedly be called the M1, which could be powered by either a 1.3-liter four-cylinder or an electric drivetrain. Next up the ladder would be the M3, motivated by a 1.6-liter four-banger. At the upper-end, Great Wall is expected to show off a premium model called the Hover H7, equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine backed by a six-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive.
[Source: Inside Line | Image: auto.sina.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
fixitfixitstop 2:45PM (4/15/2009)
As much as I don't like reading about Chinese cars, I'm glad Autoblog is posting articles about them.
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Sektor 4:05PM (4/15/2009)
It begs the question: Why AB posted the ugliest; most derivative design from Great Wall to illustrate this post? They have better looking cars in their lineup.
The Luigiian 5:47PM (4/15/2009)
@Sektor:
Because judging by the Scion xB, Honda Element, Nissan Cube, Kia Soul and Ford Flex, this ugly-ass box car will be the first Chinese vehicle Americans will see on these shores.
skeptic 2:47PM (4/15/2009)
H3 - really? I wonder if Great Wall is one of the international companies bidding on buying Hummer.
Also - did you say that styling was basedon the Axiom? Hmmm. doesn't look much like the Axiom that I remember.
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LCN 3:16PM (4/15/2009)
That is a sketch of the possible M3 (look at the license plate), not of the current Hover.
Shiftright 2:55PM (4/15/2009)
That greenhouse is straight out of the previous gen Scion Xb. The Axiom was actually a pretty cool looking SUV, and capable as well, especially when fitted with Isuzu's excellent direct injection V6, the first gas DI engine in production I think. It didn't sell because no one knew it existed. R.I.P., Isuzu passenger vehicles...
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reddy 4:01PM (4/15/2009)
yah more ccc - copied chinese crap
Sektor 4:17PM (4/15/2009)
@reddy:
Yeah, that's all we need. Another ACT - Anti-China-Troll. :rolleyes:
Sektor 8:54AM (5/26/2009)
Testing comment; doesn't seem to be working.
reddy 5:37PM (4/15/2009)
@sektor
who are you? a pro-china bot !
tekd 3:03PM (4/15/2009)
It might use a Toyota platform but at least they licensed all the IP. Same thing with it's former Axiom body.
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jav 3:04PM (4/15/2009)
uhhhh....isnt that a chevy groove?
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ACURA23CL 3:22PM (4/15/2009)
My thoughts EXACTLY!!! I was just getting ready to post on that, but you beat me to it. Good eye!
imoore 3:15PM (4/15/2009)
I see a bit of Dodge Durango and Nitro in the taillights. Not a good sign.
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jjpg2000 3:31PM (4/15/2009)
Quite a mish mash of names and faces.
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Rev Junkie 5:26PM (4/15/2009)
Wow, a new Chinese car that isn't a complete facsimilie of an existing model. Sure, the greenhouse is straight from a first-gen xB, and the grille looks like it came off of a Subaru, but at least it's a small step forward.
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bduddy 5:36PM (4/15/2009)
Axiom? Really? That looks a lot more like a Jeep Commander or Patriot to me.
(Note that we all seem to think that it's based off of a different car. That should tell you something...)
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The Luigiian 5:49PM (4/15/2009)
Tell me what? That we have a huge amount of boxy cars being sold in the U.S. that all look more or less the same?
bduddy 8:20PM (4/15/2009)
Mostly the fact that people will accuse any Chinese car of being copied despite any evidence to the contrary.
DiRF 7:26PM (4/15/2009)
It makes sense that the greenhouse is a knockoff of the 1st-gen xB/bB, since Great Wall already makes a direct ripoff of that vehicle with the Coolbear... though, admittedly, that is an awesome name for a car.
The modifications they made to that body from the regular Coolbear actually look kinda nice... I'm a fan of the 1st-gen xB/bB anyway, and loathe Toyota's redesign.
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