Roewe N1 will be sold in Europe

SAIC-owned Roewe had one of the smartest new saloons at the Shanghai show with the new N1.

Although it's billed as a concept, Roewe sources indicated that the N1 is virtually identical to an all-new saloon that will go on sale in China next year and is likely to come to Europe soon afterwards.

Based on a new platform, the front drive N1 sits below the 550 and sporty MG6, both originally based on the Rover 75. The N1 will be offered with the company's existing four-cylinder petrol engines which are essentially reworked versions of the Rover K-series engines it also acquired with the purchase of MG Rover.

However, the N1 is unlikely to go on sale with many of the hi-tech electronics featuring on the concept.

Developed by Italian specialists Magnetti Marelli, the show car featured internet connectivity and an open-source sat-nav system which can be linked to third party software, all operated througha touch-screen dash.

Insiders admitted that these were production possible but still several years away from reality.

Chas Hallett

Shanghai motor show

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