Meet “the first Chinese SUV with an Italian touch,” as Pininfarina describes the SEM DX7 unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show. Designed by the Italian styling powerhouse, the DX7 is an SUV built by Chinese carmaker South East Motor, also known as Soueast or SEM.
The DX7 SUV is a different species from most Chinese-designed SUVs. “With 85 years of history, Pininfarina is the key partner for SEM enabling them to create a new strong brand identity through high-value aesthetic projects like the DX7. Working together with the SEM team we created a bold design language, which is central to communicate the uniqueness of a vehicle that stands out from the competition,” said Pininfarina’s CEO Silvio Pietro Angori.
Pininfarina started collaborating with SEM in 2012, but their first major project is the DX7 SUV. Designed according to Chinese customers’ preferences, the DX7 features sculptural and muscular surfaces with wide convex areas. The sculpted shapes of the bonnet and bumper also underline the strength of the car, while the front grille and headlights are connected to emphasize its width.
Inside, the DX7’s dashboard is splitted into two major elements which feature different colors and materials. The HMI area is integrating all the functions, monitors, and vents in a coherent form, while the instrument cluster is highlighted by the three-dimensional “binoculars” that emerge from the aluminum strip.
The DX7’s dimensions rank it in the compact SUV segment. It’s 4,537mm long, 1900mm wide, and 1700mm tall, with a 2700mm wheelbase. Engine options include 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol units.
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