September’s Beijing Auto Show hosted the unveilings of heaps of new cars from China. While a great deal of them were electric, one that surely turned many a head was the Songsan Motors SS Dolphin, essentially a clone of the C1-generation 1958 Corvette.
The exterior looks almost identical to the
C1 Corvette, including its very similar chrome front grille and two-tone
bodywork. At the time of the car’s debut, it was revealed that the cabin
included many parts from BYD. The car even has a plug-in hybrid powertrain from
BYD who, as it turns out, will also build it.
Car News China recently viewed
documentation relating to the Songsan Motors SS Dolphin that was provided to
the Chinese government. In these documents, it is revealed that the vehicle is
indeed a BYD and images of the car wearing BYD badges have since surfaced
online. Car News China adds that it is common for small Chinese automakers like
Songsan Motors to have their vehicles contract-built by a larger car company.
Some added investigation has revealed that
the SS Dolphin isn’t based on a pre-existing sports car and is instead based on
the BYD Qin Pro Sedan. Powering the C1 Corvette clone is a 1.5-liter
turbocharged engine coupled to an electric motor and delivering a combined 315
hp and 535 Nm.
Coupled to this powertrain is a six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the
front wheels. With so much grunt going to the front axle, we suspect the car
will probably have an issue with torque steer.
