Autocade is an international car cyclopædia that’s geographically unbiased, carefully edited for enthusiasts and media who want a quick, accurate reference. There is a greater emphasis on models produced after 1970.
Inside Autocade
Roewe 550 (W261). 2008–16 (prod. 64,000 approx. sold for 2009 only). 4-door sedan. F/F, 11 kWh–1498 cm³ electric–petrol hybrid, 1588, 1796 cm³ petrol (I4 DOHC). Smaller sister to Roewe 750, developed from same platform with heavy UK involvement through engineers Ricardo 2010. Contemporary sedan shape for Red Chinese market; updated Rover K-series engines at launch. Well made, reasonably good handling. Based in some part on Rover’s aborted RDX60 programme, well advanced at the time of company’s 2005 collapse, so in theory a successor to the last Rover 45. Rear end later shared with MG 6 Mk I Saloon, sold in Britain as MG 6 Magnette. Dual-clutch transmission from 2012. Plug-in hybrid from 2014.
Manufacturing location: Shanghai, China
Marque: Roewe | Predecessor: Rover 45 Mk II | Successor: Roewe i6 (2016–)
Bisu (比速) T3 (S25). 2016 to date (prod. n/a). 5-door SUV. F/F, 1298 cm³ (I4 DOHC). Well priced soft roader similarly sized to the Beiqi Huansu S2, with better looks. Turbo 1·3 delivered 133 PS. Three trims, manual or CVT, the latter added July 2017. Simple interior, with 9 in touchscreen in centre of dashboard. Electronic handbrake and cruise control standard. Some safety features such as lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring on upscale models. Larger-engined models planned in 2018 but as of 2021 had yet to materialize.
Manufacturing location: China
Marque: Bisu
Mazda Atenza/Mazda Ruiyi (馬自達睿翼/马自达睿翼) (GH). 2007–15 (prod. n/a). 4- and 5-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/F, 1798, 1998, 2488 cm³ (I4 DOHC), 1998 cm³ diesel (I4 OHC). New, larger Atenza remains on old platform, with relatively small weight gain over predecessor. More fussy and flowing styling, emphasis remains on sporty handling. Exported as Mazda 6 in most markets. North American Mazda 6 (2009–13) separate from Europe and Japan. Japanese production to 2012.
Manufacturing locations: Hiroshima, Japan; Hofu, Japan; China
Marque: Mazda | Model: Mazda Atenza | Predecessor: Mazda Atenza (GG) | Successor: Mazda Atenza (GJ)
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