Chinese car manufacturer Brilliance Auto Group is developing a new flagship in its SUV line-up. The crossover SUV is christened as V7 and will sit above the V5 in the manufacturer’s line-up. Here we have the first clear spy shots of the flagship currently undergoing final tests at the Arctic facility of a German component supplier.
The test mule is wearing black wheel arches and side skirts which hint the quintessential crossover traits which include a meatier and muscular appearance. Hidden underneath the camouflaged will be cladded front and rear bumpers with faux skid plates. The headlamps get projector units and tail lights have the LED treatment. The massive manufacturer grille will get a chrome and black treatment similar to the other vehicles in the line-up.
Power for the flagship SUV will come from the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol pushing out 150bhp sourced from the Brilliance-BMW joint venture. Transmission option will include a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. A PHEV variant is expected to follow later as well, which will have a more subtle fascia compared to the standard car.
When launched, the V7 will be the most expensive car Brilliance will have on offer. Codenamed as M82, the car is expected to make its debut at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show in April and go on sale in the Chinese market in the second half of this year. The price is expected to be between 90,000yuan and 120,000yuan (Rs 8.73 - 11.64 lakh), positioning it in one of the most competitive segments of the market.
