Changan Auto unveils hatchback of Yuexiang brand

Shanghai, November 30 (Gasgoo.com) Last week at the 2009 Guangzhou auto show, Changan Auto unveiled a hatchback variant of its popular Yuexiang brand, with three trim versions priced between 55,900 yuan ($8,200) and 71,900 yuan, Edmunds.com reported.

The Yuexiang hatchback is 11 inches shorter than the Yuexiang sedan and shares more than 75% of its components, including a Mitsubishi-sourced 97-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual gearbox. A smaller 1.3-liter engine will be added later, along with an automatic transmission.

Changan Auto released its new small-car Yuexiang in late March, priced between 56,800 yuan and 64,800 yuan. Designed by the famous European car designer Dambrosio Luciano, the Changan Yuexiang small car is available in three 1.5-liter manual versions.

The Chinese name "Yuexiang" literally means "Happy Flying," which shows that "Yuexiang" drivers could drive the car very happily and fast, executives of Changan Auto auto said.

The Yuexiang hatchback is aimed at competitors in China such as the Chevrolet Aveo and the BYD F3R. Yuexiang is Changan's third self-developed model after Benben and Zhixiang.