Chinese 4x4 set to hit Britain

The new DR is set to become the first Chinese-inspired motor to go on sale in the UK

Auto Express Car Reviews

New DR compact SUV sources its chassis from China and engines from Fiat

17th December 2006

But DR is an international project. It looks astonishingly similar to the original Toyota RAV4, and just like that model, it comes in three and five-door layouts. However, the DR is designed and built in Italy. The firm, based between Naples and Rome, buys the chassis and running gear from Chinese motor maker Gonow, then builds its own bodies and interiors. The car gets its power from Fiat's 1.9-litre Multijet diesel.


	"We will start production halfway through next year and we're hoping to sell around 12,000 cars a year in Europe," said a DR spokesman

"We will start production halfway through next year and we're hoping to sell around 12,000 cars a year in Europe," said a DR spokesman. "As Britain is an important market, we expect to be exporting there by 2008."

He also confirmed the company was hoping to undercut the prices of rivals. The three-door, two-wheel-drive model will cost £11,100. Prices for the five-door start at £12,800.

The top-spec SUV will be around £19,000, and it comes with satellite navigation, DVD screens in the rear and electric windows all round.