Geneva show: Qoros 3 Hatch emerges

CHINESE-ISRAELI start-up Qoros has released images of its second production model, the Volkswagen Golf-baiting 3 Hatch, ahead of its official debut at the Geneva motor show in March.

The debut of the new body-style comes a year after the unveiling of the company’s first production model, the 3 sedan at last year’s Geneva show.

The C-segment hatch features a design based on the 3 Cross Hybrid concept that was also shown at last year’s Geneva show and is almost identical to that of the sedan, although there are subtle styling differences at the front, such as the bumper, grille and fog-lights.

At the rear, the 3 features hatch-specific tail-lights and a shape that is reminiscent of the second-generation Audi A3 three-door hatch, with the massive Qoros badge dominating the centre of the tailgate.

While it is based on the same modular platform as the sedan, the 3 Hatch features panels that are unique to its body-style, such as new C-pillars, roof, rear side panels and a new roof cross-member that the company says maintains the 3’s torsional rigidity.

At 4438mm, the 3 Hatch is 89mm longer than Volkswagen’s Golf Mk VII (4349mm) which Qoros said in a statement helps the 3 deliver “unusually generous interior space for a vehicle in the compact segment”.

The hatch has the same width, height and wheelbase as the sedan, but the length is reduced by 177mm.

Powertrains match the 3 sedan, with either a 115kW/210Nm turbo-charged or a 94kW/155Nm naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine matched with a six-speed manual gearbox or a Getrag dual-clutch automatic transmission.

In the cabin, unique upholstery colours and materials differentiate the Hatch from the sedan, while all variants will feature an eight-inch touchscreen housing the company’s Qoros MMH multimedia system as standard.

The system – featuring software, hardware and graphics that were designed in-house by Qoros – is operated using a smartphone-like finger-swipe touchpad to dictate instructions.

Pushing the new technology angle even further is the inclusion of ‘QorosQloud’ on some variants, which uses 3G connectivity to provide access to social media, vehicle monitoring and an advanced sat-nav system.

As a part of QorosQloud, the Chinese car-maker will offer a suite of “free-for-life” services, a dedicated website and smartphone apps.

The 3 Hatch will be built at the company’s new environmentally sustainable factory in Changshu, China, and will carry the same high-strength steels and structural design as the sedan.

Qoros is keen to point out that the 3 Hatch is based on the same platform as its sedan that was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating last year and was announced as the safest car tested in 2013.

Qoros vice chairman Volker Steinwascher said the 3 Hatch should attract a diverse customer base, thanks to its design, packaging and connectivity technologies.

“The new Qoros 3 Hatch will appeal to the modern metropolitan always-connected customer who needs a little extra versatility provided by the hatchback body style,” he said.

“It offers those with active outdoor lifestyles or young families extra practicality, combined with added coolness thanks to its more spirited, sporty look.”

In late December last year, Mr Steinwascher handed over the keys of the first customer car – a 3 sedan in Elegance specification – to a 28-year-old Chinese interior designer at its flagship Guanshan, China, dealership.