Beijing Auto Senova X65 SUV hits the Chinese car market

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The Beijing Auto Senova X65 SUV has been launched on t he Chinese car market, price starts at 98.000 yuan and ends at 149.800 yuan ($15.889 – 24.090).  The Senova X65 is a new compact SUV, it debuted on the Guangzhou Auto Show in November last year. It is the first SUV under the Senova brand.

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The decals are a surprising option, looking very 1985 Europa.

Beijing Auto says the Senova X65 is based on their Matrix platform, which is derived from the platform of the Saab 9-3. BAIC, the mother company of Beijing Auto, bought the rights the the platforms for the Saab 9-3 and the last-generation Saab 9-5 from GM in 2009. The deal included the Saab-developed 2.0 turbo (B204E) and 2.3 turbo (B235R) engines.

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The X65 is powered by said 2.0 turbo, here with an output of 177hp and 240nm, mated to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Car on pics is a manual. Later on a 1.5 turbo with 163hp and 225nm will become available as well. Size: 4645/1816/1680, wheelbase is 2670.

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A very classy interior, albeit a tad too dark. Sporty dials, sporty seats, and a truly giant LCD touch screen (but the cheaper versions get this).

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The back is even blacker but the bench is big enough for three.

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Red decal above bumper almost cool. Exhaust pipes tiny, flanking a skid pad for mountaineering.

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The typical Senova grille. Decalls under headlights decidedly not cool. Skid pad too small to be very useful.

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This is a Saab 2.0 turbo. One of these powered my dad’s Saab 9-3, new in 1999.

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They even have an extra Senova X65 sticker, on the right above the bumper, with racy stripes.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. The skid pad looks nice, but with that Macpherson front suspension, front overhang, and shallow ground clearance, I don’t think it’s suited for much mountaineering.
    Otherwise it should do well as a nice city car.

  2. BAIC has other offerings for the off-road crowd. This is clearly an urban utility. That giant LCD puts most American cars to shame. Very impressive.

  3. Are you sure your dad had a B205 in 1999? I think it was a B204 since the B205 was launched in the 9-3 in 2000. It was available from 1998 in the 9-5 though. With the upgraded crankhouse ventilation and when serviced properly the B205 and B235 are great engines.

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