Venucia M50V
Venucia is a brand of the Dongfeng-Nissan Joint Venture, and has completely missed the boat on the current trend of affordable domestic crossovers. The brand still mostly sells cars based on Nissan platforms like the R50 and D50 (Nissan Tiida) and the T70 and T90 SUVs (1st gen Nissan Qashqai and 2nd gen Nissan Murano). But the Japanese brand has vowed to turn Venucia around and the M50V is the first of a range of new models for the brand. And it’s not based on a Nissan platform, but on a Dongfeng: the Fengguang 360 MPV. Unfortunately for Venucia, the M50V arrives awfully late to the party, as cheap MPVs here all the rage a few years ago but small Chinese families are now switching to crossovers instead. Still, the M50V does stand out in that crowded segment with its relatively sharp styling and modern interior. Two powertrain options are available: a 1,5-liter with 112hp/143Nm coupled to a 5MT or a 1,6-liter with 124hp/151Nm mated to a CVT. It offers the option of 6-seat or 7-seat configurations. Dimensions are 4.501/1.726/1.780mm with a 2.750mm wheelbase.
Prices range from 65.800 yuan to 84.900 yuan (EUR8.100,- / US$9,100 to EUR11.000 / US$12.300), slightly above its domestic rivals, like the Dongfeng Fengxing S500 (59.900 yuan), Baojun 730 (60.800 yuan) and the Changan Oushang (51.900 yuan).
