If you live in China, for a mere RMB 56,800, which
comes out to just US$ 8,558 at the current exchange rates, you could get GM's
latest SUV, the Wuling Hong Guang S3. This makes it more affordable than the
entry-level Ford Fiesta on our side of the pond, and it stays that way even in
its range-topping guise, which can be had at RMB 81,800 (US$ 12,325).
However, there's a major catch here, because the
Wuling Hong Guang S3 is a China-only vehicle, made by the automotive giant's
local joint venture, SAIC-GM-Wuling, so don’t expect to see it in Western
markets, not now, not ever.
The Wuling Hong Guang S3 has an
exterior design reminiscent of old Chevys and Daewoos, but it has been adorned
with LED DRLs integrated on the sides of the front bumper, fog lamps, and a
floating-style roofline.
Inside it gets a clean layout, with dual-tone
leather trim depending on the selected grade, an 8-inch LCD screen, large
electronic instrument display, and a quartz clock, for what the automaker
describes as an added "sense of luxury". It has a 2+2+3 seating
layout, and all three rows of seats have their own air-conditioning vents and
USB ports.
Based on the same platform as the Hong Guang MPV,
the SUV also features a multi-link independent rear suspension, and some safety
features such as ESC, hill-start hold control, cruise control, and others.
The engine family includes two members: naturally
aspirated and turbocharged versions of a 1.5-liter unit.
