Diesel cars are all the rage in Europe, where their love of the black cancer causing fuel is just as strong as the Chinese love for rice and baijiu, but diesel passenger cars have never become overly popular in China. Diesel cars in China are limited to SUV’s such as the Greatwall Hover, and various Ssangyong models, Audi have reportedly made some moves to start selling TDI versions of their cars, and VW also sell diesel models in inland Chinese cities.
Out of the 7 million passenger cars sold in China last year, only 10,000 were actually diesel models, Huatai’s project manager was quoted by the Chinese automotive media as saying that diesel can save up to 30% more fuel over a gasoline model.
Huatai invited a select group of people to come and look at its stunning B11 sedan over the weekend. At first it appeared to be a Bentley clone but clearly it is not, it is something that is quite different in its styling to a Bentley and it looks great for a first try at producing a sedan and has some interesting engines under the hood.
Huatai are aiming to enter the premium auto segment with their B11 model, a market that has been largely overlooked by Chinese manufacturers that are on a continual race to the bottom of the price barrel with ever cheaper models, Huatai on the other hand have seen a niche market that has not yet been entered into by the majority of Chinese car manufacturers, and that is the semi premium segment. So far only Chery and Brilliance have had the testicular fortitude required to take on the JV car makers with Chinese premium cars. The interior and the exterior are both looking excellent, and could take on mid level JV cars such as the last generation Mazda6 with relative ease.
Under the hood, diesel engines appear to rule the roost with Huatai building 2.0T and 1.5T diesel engines for the B11, which will be mated to 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic gearboxes. The introduction of diesel engines may indicate that Huatai plan to take this car to Europe where the love of the black stuff runs high. SAIC’s 1.8T gasoline engine is also an available option. Further details will be updated when available.