Changan's first SUV to make Chinese market debut in September

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai August 14) - Chongqing-based own brand manufacturer Changan has announced that it will officially begin selling its first SUV, the CS35, next month, China Economic Net reported today.

The CS35 (pictured) is an urban SUV based on the SUV Concept Changan announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show and showed off at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. It is the product of independent research and development by Changan.

The SUV is powered by a 1.6 L motor from the brand new BlueCore H series of engines. The engine, which boasts a maximum output of 92 kW and can produce up to 160 Nm of torque, is notable for its ability to produce high levels of torque at low speeds. It can be mated to either a brand new five-speed manual transmission or an imported Aisin Seiki Ss-II four-speed manumatic transmission.

The SUV will play an important part in Changan's development plans for the year. It is aimed squarely at the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Changan aims to sell over 1.9 million vehicles this year. However, the manufacturer only sold 886,800 vehicles as of June, 4.15 percent less than the amount it sold in the first six months of 2011. According to Changan Vice President Gong Bing, the manufacturer aims to make 68 percent of its targeted sales for 2012 in the latter half of the year. Its targeted income for the year is 117 billion yuan ($18.49b).