Roewe, the brand that rose from the remnants of Rover, has confirmed its recently unveiled D7 saloon will be built in a new wing of the manufacturing base established by parent company SAIC in Zhengzhou, China.
Set for sale in China by the end of 2023, the electric D7 is the first production model from Roewe's new Three-Year Action Plan For New Energy Development.
Announced in April, this plan includes up to eight new Roewe EVs, covering saloons, SUVs and MPVs across varying market segments.
At 4890mm in length, the D7 is 66mm shorter than the Volkswagen ID 7.
The D7 is based on SAIC's new Nubula EV platform – the same one used by the MG 4 EV hatchback.
It's earmarked to underpin up to 16 models from SAIC-owned brands over the next two years, according to the Chinese car maker.
Roewe has confirmed two drivetrain options for its new saloon, both based around a single-motor layout also shared with the 4.
Included is a 194bhp version with a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery and claimed range of up to 317 miles on the Chinese CLTC test cycle; and a 208bhp version with a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery and a range of 379 miles.
As yet, there's no official word whether the D7 will be sold in the UK. However, the Chinese-market Roewe Ei5 is already sold here badged as the MG 5 SW EV and the MG Marvel R was initially launched as the Roewe Marvel X, leading to speculation that the new saloon may be sold in export markets under the more firmly established and familiar MG name.
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And those range figures don't seem that impressive either. It would probably end up with something like 250 or 300 miles using European WLTP tests, they'd really have to be aggressive with the pricing.
Call it the MG7 EV if it does come to the UK.
Looks nice. SAIC should buy the Rover brand from Tata and bring it back, along with the beautiful old crest. The MG brand is well established (again) as you say, but a car like this doesn't really fit it, and Roewe is too obviously an imitation to fly here.
I don't think it matters what they call it so long as it looks good, drives well and is sensibly priced. We are happy enough to buy our Hyundais, Kias, Dacian etc - all brands that were once unfamiliar and foreign. Besides, Rover is mostly associated with failure and poor quality, even Land Rover seems to have stopped using it!Let's face it, the Chinese are pretty good at selling coals to Newcastle, no matter what the badge.
Land Rover would never allow that, it would be madness for them. I don't see them bringing it back either. If they want a premium saloon then they will use the Range Rover brand. It's a shame but there you go