Qoros GQ3 becomes Qoros 3: Geneva Motor Show 2013

The Qoros 3 – formerly the Qoros GQ3 – has been revealed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show alongside concept Cross Hybrid and Estates from Qoros.

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We had the first photos of the Qoros GQ3 just before Christmas, previewing a reveal of the GQ3 at the Geneva Motor Show. But since then the name has had to change.

Not because GQ Magazine objected, but because Audi did. It seems the man at the four rings took umbrage at a Qoros model name with ‘Q3’ in it, so it’s now the Qoros 3 or, specifically, the Qoros 3 Sedan. Which is quite ironic as Qoros took the same route to stop Kia using the Quoris name on their cars.

Still, with the ‘It’s my name not yours’ game over (at least for now) the Qoros 3 arrived in Geneva looking quite decent. We still think Qoros should have made the 3 a hatch to take on Europe. but it’s a saloon.

The Qoros 3, the first model from the new Qoros company, a joint venture between Chery and Israel Corporation – is a surprisingly accomplished looking car – inside and out – and, dare we say, almost VW-esque in many way.

Fit and finish seems good, perceived quality seems a big notch above budget and there’s some nice tech like an 8″ touchscreen with four function areas accessed by a quick smartphone-like swipe.

Qoros 3 Pictures

Power comes from either a naturally aspirated 1.6 litre petrol or a turbo version (with 125bhp and 154bhp respectively) and is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual clutch auto. Qoros say they have a new direct injection 1.6 and a three-cylinder 1.2 litre on the way, but if they want real sales in Europe they probably need to sort a diesel lump too.

Our reservations about the sense of making the Qoros 3 a saloon instead of a hatch (for Europe) are lessened with the reveal of a pair of Qoros Concepts based on the 3 – the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concept and Qoros 3 Estate Concept – which both look far more suited to the UK and European market.

It’s a convincing and interesting start for Qoros. We’ll have to keep an eye on where they’re going.

The Qoros 3 is expected to arrive in Europe in early 2014, with the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid and Estate arriving later.