Omoda previews new C3 entry model - will this become SA’s cheapest Chinese car?

Omoda is expanding downwards with a new entry-level model called the C3.

The Chery-owned Chinese brand describes the new model as a small crossover SUV with a “cyber-inspired” aesthetic, which certainly looks unique judging by the design sketch released this week.

That's as much as Omoda is prepared to show us for now, with more details set to follow when the C3 is officially revealed in Wuhu, presumably in the not-too-distant future.

But as the name implies, Omoda has confirmed that the newcomer will slot beneath the C5 in its line-up.

Although its local introduction has yet to be confirmed, it could become one of South Africa’s least expensive Chinese cars, given that the current C5 is already on the affordable end of the scale with its starting price of R329,900.

In order to keep costs down, base versions of the C3 are likely to use the familiar 1.5-litre normally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 83kW. It is likely however that the turbocharged version of that engine, with 115kW, could also be thrown into the mix.

If the production vehicle remains true to the sketches seen here, its design could be somewhat exciting.

“Taking the world by storm with its ‘Art in Motion’ design language, Omoda continues to develop this philosophy with each new model and the C3 is the next evolution,” Omoda said.

“Combining lightning and cyber-futuristic sharpness, the result is an exterior and interior that rewrites the rules of automotive art.”

Of course, the Omoda C3 is not related in any way to the Citroen hatchback that already has that name.

It’s not just compact products that Omoda and its sister brand Jaecoo have on the agenda this year.

The two brands are expected to launch a glut of new energy vehicles at the Shanghai Auto Show later this month, including plug-in hybrid versions of the Omoda C5 and C7 and a fully electric version of the Jaecoo J5.

The ‘SHS’ hybrid system on the C5 and C7 pairs a new-generation 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine with an advanced Dedicated Hybrid Transmission, to allow a total driving range of 1,200km, Omoda says.

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