Chinese automaker Changan has recently founded a sub-brand called Oshan for its premium models, and will be adding a crossover SUV named Z6 to its lineup this summer. According to the manufacturer, the letter Z stands for ‘zoomers’, or young people aged 20-25 who constitute the primary target audience. The number 6 stands for mothing in particular. The car has a rather catchy exterior design with a side view so bulky that even 20-inch wheels in the arches appear rather small in comparison.
At 4.7 meters long with 2.8 meters of
wheelbase, the Changan Oshan Z6 is a mid-size SUV that slots conveniently
between the company’s Uni-T and Uni-K models. All three share the same
architecture. The off-roader features a transversely mounted engine,
front-wheel drive and per-wheel suspension all around. In its most basic form,
it runs on a 1.5-liter turbo engine with 188 PS mated to a
seven-speed pre-selective transmission. Those needing more power should
consider a 2.0-liter turbo and eight-speed A/T with 233 PS.
In its top spec, the car goes plug-in
hybrid with a 1.5-liter engine rated at 163 PS, a DCT
gearbox, and an electric motor inserted between the two for an extra 116 PS. Drivers can use a feature called Attack Mode to temporarily
boost the output of the system to 279 PS. This is done by
pressing and holding the left paddle shifter for a while. The battery is rated at 30.7 kilowatt-hours,
but all-electric range remains undisclosed.
Inside, the front panel accommodates three
displays: a 10.3-inch digital dashboard, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
with voice control support, and a 9.1-inch central display under the
windshield. The latter is used exclusively to display the navigation map and
route. A heads-up display is available at a premium.
Sales will begin in summer.
