GAC has unveiled its next body-on-frame SUV called the Yue 7. It looks suspiciously like the Land Rover Defender, runs on hybrid power and takes advantage of the latest tech innovations.
The exterior looks edgy and rugged with fender flares, plastic body kit parts all around and a respectable amount of ground clearance. The tailgate is side-hinged and houses a spare wheel. There’s a LiDAR on the roof, and the company says that the steering wheel has no physical connection to the wheels – a configuration that came to be known as steer-by-wire.
The more adventurous types considering the SUV will be able to purchase it with an expedition package. It includes a larger and more robust roof rack, a light bar, a side-mounted toolbox and what appears to be a shovel rack at the rear end.
It’s still unknown what the powertrain will be like. The company’s E8 minivan utilizes a plug-in hybrid system rated at 238 PS (235 hp / 175 kW) and has 100 km (62 miles) of all-electric range. The Yue 7 may get a similar setup, but boosted for off-road use when it goes on sale next year.
