SUV-maker Huatai to launch first luxury sedan B11 in Oct

Shanghai, August 19 (Gasgoo.com) The Chinese SUV maker, also a partner of South Korea's Hyundai Motor, will launch its first luxury sedan, Huatai B11 to the domestic market in October, marking the carmaker's entering into the premium segment of China's auto market, media reported Thursday.

The Huatai B11, which rolled off the production line on August 16, gives the country's emerging carmakers an entry into the semi-premium market that Chinese cars have so far failed to dominate.

The Huatai B11 will go by its Chinese name of Yuan Tian, and will carry a 1.8T engine which is the same as the one used in the Roewe 550 and MG6, has a maximum power of 118Kw and a peak torque of 215Nm and is good for an impressive 160bhp.

Moreover, a 2.0L clean diesel engine as well as a 4-, 5- and 6-speed transmission will be used to power the Huatai B11. With the diesel version, the own-brand carmaker will certainly take a big hit in the Chinese market.

Another appeal from the Huatai B11 is that it uses a Linux powered media center which can play DVDs, or give the driver navigation functions, and of course is also a 3G connected device meaning that it will be connected to the internet 24/7.

The Shandong-based SUV-maker introduced Hyundai's Sante Fe in China two years ago.