Jianghuai to launch 1.3L Tongyue at Guangzhou show

Shanghai, November 4 (Gasgoo.com) Jianghuai Auto has recently announced that it will launch its new A-class car 1.3L Tongyue at the upcoming Guangzhou auto show later this month, said xinhuanet.com today. The 1.5L Tongyue model will be released in early 2009.

Previously codenamed Jianghuai A137 (hatchback) and Jianghuai A138 (sedan), the hatchback is officially named "Tongyue RS" and the sedan "Tongyue" now, to be priced between 59,900 yuan ($8,770) and 69,900 yuan. The sedan Tongyue (meaning "happy together" in Chinese) measures 4,155mm in length, 190mm longer than the hatchback Tongyue RS, but they have the same width and height.

The Tongyue sedan and hatchback will be powered by a Mitsubishi 1299cc 4G13 engine capable of 69Kw max that meets the Euro IV emission standards and consumes less than 5.5L in 100km's drive. The two five-speed manual models are co-developed by Jianghuai Auto and Italian company Pininfarina. They differ only at the rear.

Anhui-based Jianghuai Auto is also expected to roll out the 1.5L automatic versions of Tongyue (sedan) and Tongyue RS (hatchback), following the launch of the 1.5L Tongyue manual model early next year.

Currently the 1.3L manual models of Tongyue and Tongyue RS are available for ordering at Jianghuai's dealerships and can be picked up by customers immediately after the Guangzhou auto show by the end of this month.