Lifan Auto to launch first SUV in early 2011

Shanghai December 30 (Gasgoo.com) Lifan Industry (Group) Co, the first privately-owned automaker to trade on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, plans to put its first-ever SUV model on the domestic market early next year, the Beijing Times reported Thursday.

The Lifan SUV will come in two- and four-wheel versions, with an estimated price between 80,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan ($12,100-$15,000). The model will be available in two engines: a self-made 1.6L engine, and a 1.8L engine jointly developed with the British-listed Ricardo plc.

The front end features the big mouth grilles and hawkeye style headlight design. Lifan’s two years of effort has given the model an appearance very similar to the Toyota RAV4, according to the spy shots released.