What's the news?
Taiwanese car maker, LuxGen, has recently unveiled its new U6 Turbo SUV. The concept behind the model was to create as much space as possible inside without compromising the car's compact, mid-size exterior proportions. The result is a car that is apparently best described with the words 'Beauty, Cool, Innovation, Bravo, Fantasy and HIT'. HIT??
Exterior
Let's ignore the awkward buzz words for now and have a look at the thing. When we initially read that the U6 Turbo featured an extremely long wheelbase, low sills and a relatively high roofline for a mid-size SUV we had no idea what to expect when the veils were lifted. As it turns out, the U6 Turbo isn't a bad looking car; it features the company's signature grille and blue LED daytime running lights at the front, a sporty sloping roofline and LED clusters at the back. Carbon fibre-styled spoilers are also fitted front and rear; and the multi-coloured 17-inch alloy wheels stand out against the car's matte silver roof rails and chrome exhaust outlet.
Interior
The cabin of the U6 Turbo is said to include the 'Cool', 'Innovation', 'Fantasy' and 'HIT' parts of LuxGen's description of its new model. Top spec versions of the U6 Turbo come with features such as a large, centrally-mounted LED display with HTC smartphone sync and voice control; cruise control; and Nappa leather-trimmed controls to name but a few. The interior is also fitted with power retracting tweeter speakers and a power retracting head-up display, which certainly help to add the element of 'Cool' into the cabin. To give users the ability to utilise the U6 Turbo's vast interior easily, the car also comes with a one-touch folding rear seat and an electronic boot lid as standard.
In terms of technology, the U6 comes with many standard and optional gadgets to make day-to-day ownership that little bit sweeter. Active Eagle View+ gives a 360-degree view of the car to help with parking; Side View+ displays the car's rear blind spot on the nine-inch monitor when the driver indicates; Rear View Monitor shows both rear blind spots when the engine is switched off to make exiting the car safer; and Night Vision+ will give drivers up to 100m of visibility when its headlights are switched on.
Mechanicals
Only two engines are available from launch and both of them are petrol-fuelled. The 1.8- and 2.0-litre engines develop 150- and 170hp respectively; and both manage more than 38mpg - not bad considering the car's size. These figures also prove to be impressive when you bear in mind that only automatic gearboxes can be specified.
Anything else?
Prices for the LuxGen U6 Turbo are expected to start at an amount equivalent to £17,500; however, the chances of the Taiwanese manufacturer making it to Britain are likely to be very slim.
James Giddings - 19 Nov 2013
