Through its premium label Wey, the Chinese group Great Wall intends to attack German manufacturers specializing in the genre on their own ground. Is this plug-in hybrid SUV that looks like a DS 7 Crossback cut out for it?
The Chinese manufacturer Great Wall presents at the Munich Motor Show a hybrid premium SUV under the Wey brand. Renamed Coffee in Europe, this model was unveiled last April at the Shanghai Motor Show under the name V71 and is already on sale in China. The Great Wall Motors group (translate as Great Wall) has several brands such as GMW, Haval, Tank, but also Ora in addition to Wey. Before leading its offensive in Europe, Great Wall took the time to establish itself, beyond China, to Australia, South America, the Middle East, Russia and Thailand.
The Wey brand made its first foray into Germany at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2017.
A muzzle of DS 7 Crossback?
The Great Wall Wey Coffee SUV will be the flagship of the Chinese brand in the German market. Great Wall, which seems not to be afraid of anything, thus attacks the specialists of the genre on their own ground through its premium label. The Coffee will be a bridgehead whose muzzle is inspired by a tricolor creation, the DS 7 Crossback. The resemblance is also striking in terms of the treatment of the grille as the outline of the headlights. Even the outer shape of the side scoops evokes the LED strips of the French premium brand. Incorrigible, the Chinese cannot help but steal aesthetic originalities here and there. Including in the passenger compartment, where the choice of high-quality quilted materials and the general atmosphere are once again reminiscent of DS productions.
A format close to that of the BMW X5
The V71 is however more imposing than the DS 7 Crossback. Its 4.87 m long format and 2.92 m wheelbase are closer to those of a Bmw x5. Moreover, the reception reserved for rear passengers is quite simply royal, recalling how crucial this aspect is in the eyes of Chinese customers. Only one engine will be on the program. It will be a plug-in hybrid based on a 2.0 turbo petrol engine, the power of which is not yet communicated. Autonomy in electric mode is approved at 200 km and average consumption at 1.4 l / 100 km. This SUV will also benefit from Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. Wey has not yet announced a price for Europe, but the Great Wall Wey Coffee will be available for pre-order in Germany from fall 2021.
