SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), General Motors’ three-way joint venture in China with SAIC and Wuling, is preparing a major product offensive to redefine the Baojun brand and set it up for growth in the next decade. Following the release of the compact RS-5 crossover SUV, Baojun’s next vehicle will be an all-new RC model whose name we don’t yet know. What we do know is that it will be the first member of Baojun’s upcoming RC-# / RC-number vehicle range that was chosen to grace future Baojun cars, while utilities get the RS-# / RS-number nomenclature.
Now, GM Authority has obtained two official sketches and a first real-world image of this future Baojun model. These first images allow us to establish a good idea of what will be the focus and orientation of the Baojun’s second product on the all-new vehicle architecture created by SGMW exclusively for the brand.
New Baojun logo introduced in 2019
The first thing that stands out on the all-new, unnamed Baojun RC-Model is the vehicles body type. At first glance, it seems to be a vehicle with the common three-box (sedan) body, but that’s not the case. Instead, it’s actually a 5-door liftback model with higher ground clearance than typically expected, as shown by the real-world image (in blue). Undoubtedly, this model represents a rather innovative body style within the economy vehicles class, being part sedan, part liftback-like coupe, and part crossover.
These first images also show that Baojun’s first RC-Model will have rather generous dimensions, a unique and – at first glance – attractive exterior design and a somewhat sporty appearance – elements with which Baojun hopes will attract a new type of customer. The front end features a grille with a large air intake that extends to the headlights, creating a rather strong visual presence. In addition, the slim format and sharp edges of the headlights combine with muscular bumper treatment to deliver an aggressive look.
The side profile of the future Baojun is marked by a high beltline that runs the length of the car, connecting the top of the headlight clusters at each end. However, the most outstanding thing is the slope of the C-pillar combined with the liftback format, which gives the vehicle an athletic and sporty feel. The real-world photo, meanwhile, shows that this Baojun RC-Model has a third window, as well as some large wheels and yellow brake calipers. We doubt that the two latter components will reach production, however, model.
Meanwhile, the rear of the vehicle features sporty styling reminiscent to that of a coupe. The hips on both sides join the car’s hatch to form an integrated spoiler, which makes the whole design very harmonious. In this sense, it is striking that the shape of the taillights echoes that of the headlights.
From a mechanical standpoint, it is expected that this future Baojun RC-Model will be offered with the same turbocharged 1.5L inline-four-cylinder engine that SAIC-GM-Wuling uses in the RS-5 crossover. After all, this upcoming model will share a platform with the RS-5.
The boosted four-banger offers a maximum 150 horsepower and is coupled to a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. This future model, whose commercial name could be Baojun RC-6, will be officially presented in China before the end of 2019.
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Comments
Saab DNA
I hope no one is the free-world buys Chinese branded vehicles because of these forced joint ventures. They make it sound all pretty saying “joint venture” but they really allow Chinese companies to get the latest technologies by force but the bean counters for many corporations can’t ignore China so they have to play by their rules.
“Free world” actually have a complete ownership of car manufacturing facility/brand in China. Just have to have a good intention like milord Elon the Great Musk
18 downvotes already?
How is it that so many of you delicate Bolsheviks are inflamed by the truth? Is it because of your toxic mass media and deranged pop culture inspired psychotic hatred for the first US President in many of your lifetimes who unapologetically puts his own country first? I can only imagine the deafening impeachment roar if our own government took a page out of China’s playbook and imposed the theft of intellectual property and mandatory joint ventures upon its trading partners as the price of admission to our markets and rolled back child labor laws and banned independent labor unions to gain the upper hand in a lopsided global trade model rigged so long ago by the filthy rich and utterly corrupt working hand in hand with traitorous globalist US government puppets to further line their own pockets while fueling the meteoric rise of lesser countries at America’s expense. Let’s see what President for life Xi thinks about an equivalent $15/hr minimum wage and “social justice” for the Chinese people. Laughable!
But this Baojun is not a bad looking car. Better than the current crop of US mainstream GM sedans long neglected and therefore soon to be discontinued.
We live in a fem-centric society currently so it is all about feelz over realz haha! What you said is true however most people did not hear what you said on CNN or Fox so it registers as completely false and they think you are some type of “ist.” Somehow looking out for ones country is bad these days, even though every group of people that formed a tribe has done this since the beginning. Competition is a good thing but one should not screw over the team they are on. We are just screwing ourselves over because people on the top are sellouts.
He made us a Russian colony in exchange for victory and future real estate deals. The entire GOP is willing to sell us to Russia–especially Mitch who has done nothing to protect 2020 & even shunned back up paper ballots for electronic voting.
Trump and the GOP care about power and not America. Wake up and quit the AM radio Kool Aid
You forgot to add “hideous.”
A tall car. Pure genius…”wink, wink.”
BMW makes Sedan SUVs and Honda had the Crosstour. Remind me of old AMC Concords.
See, it was just a matter of time.
The first derivative / shared styling of the Cadillac CT4 / CT5’s.
Next-up, the new Malibu…
Its a lifted Impalregalibu……..
Funny, it looks like a typical cheap Chinese knock-off. This time of a BMW X6, which I considered a confused vehicle anyway.
Baojun new model was looking great and Appreciate it for all your efforts that you have put in this – GHD SPORTS free