Roewe 550

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–)