Having shown us a concept car at the Auto Beijing show this September, Haval is now starting production of its new affordable crossover, the Chulian.
The production car looks just like its
prototype except for some ornamental parts and interior details. Its
predecessor, the Haval H2, had been in production for seven years. The Chulian
– which is Chinese for “first love” – is larger than the H2, being 4,472 mm
long (+137) and 1,841 mm wide (+27) with 2,700 mm of wheelbase (+140). The
height drops by 76 mm to 1,619 mm, and you can choose between 17- and 18-inch
wheels.
Platform-wise, the Chulian uses the
L.E.M.O.N. architecture of the Haval H6 and DaGou. Compared to its
predecessors, the new chassis is more rigid, makes extensive use of
high-tensile steel and lends itself to a variety of vehicle designs. The
Chulian has semi-dependent rear suspension, while the H2, H6 and DaGou all
sport multi-link designs.
Hardware buttons in the cabin are kept to
a strict minimum. There is a HUD, a gear selector knob and an touch-enabled
infotainment widescreen display available in 10.25” and 12.3” sizes. The gauge
cluster also has a built-in display in the middle, and the overall trim quality
is said to be higher than that of the old model.
Customers can opt for two-tone interior
trims, power-assisted front seats, and leather finish. The Chulian is also
Haval’s first car to get the Driver Monitoring System (DMS), which makes sure
you aren’t drowsy when you drive.
Powering the newcomer is a 1.5-liter
turbocharged four-cylinder engine burning gas for 150 PS and
220 Nm of torque. A seven-speed DCT delivers the momentum to the
front axle, and AWD will only ever become an option in a future hybrid version.
Sales start next month, and prices are estimated in the US$ 14,000 - US$ 17,000
range.
