This is the new Zotye T500, and it is surprisingly
original for the infamous ripoff automaker. Sure there are some influences
visible here and there, Skoda comes to mind, but overall it is almost as if the
Zotye designers had a real idea of their own.
Handsome side profile with a high bonnet, a thick
roof, black wheel arches, and a blacked-out D-pillar. That thick-roof design is
something we are seeing a lot recently on new Chinese SUVs.
The T500 will be positioned between the Zotye T300
and the Zotye T600. There really isn’t much space there. T300 at 56.800 to 93.800
yuan, whereas T600 at 79.800 yuan to 149.800 yuan. But Zotye won’t be Zotye if they
wouldn’t squeeze the T500 right in the middle, and I bet they will do a T400
too. So price for the T500 will likely start around 70.000 and end around
110.000 yuan.
The
T500 will get the same 1.5 turbo as all the other Zotye’s, including, yes
really, the T300 and the T600. Same engine; in all of ‘m. It has 156 hp and can
be had with a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Horses go to the front
wheels.
The interior is nice with alcantara seats and a
clean layout. 8.8 inch touch screen is on the small side for a new Zotye.
Steering wheel is very sporty and the instrument panel is fully digital. Screen
stands atop the center stack. Below the stack are the vents, and below that
what seems to be another screen or touch screen, likely to control the air
conditioning.
The T500 will be equipped with a PM2.5 clean-air
filter to keep the evil air pollution particles out of the cabin. The safety
equipment is impressive; the top end models will get: body stability system,
traction control, automatic braking,
adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a night vision system.
Cr : Carnewschina
