Contrary to what the opening photo may lead you to believe, this is not a new Buick, it’s the first new model of the reborn Borgward brand called BX7.
The large front grille features Borgward’s resurrected rhombus logo, with other notable design features including the muscular hips, high waistline and the Borgward lettering on the rear hatch.
Scheduled to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, the Borgward BX7 is a 4.7-meter long seven-seat SUV that will launch with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine rated at 224PS and mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The SUV has a four-wheel drive system with electronically controlled multi-plate clutch supplied by BorgWarner.
The company’s Frankfurt Motor Show stand will also feature a plug-in hybrid version with a system output of 401PS and a pure electric range of 55 kilometers. This version will feature the same 2.0-liter turbo engine powering the front wheels, with an electric motor driving the rear axle.
In terms of equipment, the Borgward BX7 will be available with safety assist systems including a collision assistant, a braking assistant with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. There will also be a 12.3-inch infotainment system with smartphone connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspot.
The SUV will have a boot capacity of maximum 1,344 liters (with the seats folded down), depending on the seat configuration (five-, six- or seven-seater).
The BX7 will first go on sale in China and in emerging markets in 2016, with the European launch to follow a year later. Prices in Germany are expected to start at around €26,000 ($29,350). Borgward is backed by Chinese truck and SUV manufacturer Foton.
Story references: Borgward via Auto Bild
PHOTO GALLERY
