Now, before you guys ask, yes, that is the correct name. Yes, this Chinese SUV is called the Changfeng ( 广汽长丰) Leopaard CS10, with the double As. For the sake of brevity, we shall call this the CS10.
Thanks to our friends over at Funtasticko, we can now confirm that this Chinese SUV, which made a Chinese debut a year ago, is now undergoing road tests in Malaysia. Seeing that the spied SUV wore Penang trade plates, it would be safe to assume the company that imported this SUV is the Hong Seng Group, which is based in Penang. The same company also distributes various Chinese vehicles in Malaysia, including Young Man, DFSK, Foday, ZNA, Hohan and JBC.
While looks are certainly subjective, we can’t help but to notice how the CS10 draws inspiration from other manufacturers. The rear end, for example, looks like a mash-up between a Porsche Cayenne and Macan, though the bottom half of the bumper looks to be derived from the previous generation Kia Sportage.
Under the hood, power is derived from a Mitsubishi-sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an output of 190 horsepower and 250 Nm. Expect the CS10 to be equipped with an automatic transmission, possibly with six forward speeds.
With the SUV market booming, it is no surprise that car makers are rushing to fill the market with their own offerings. The Haval H2 made a debut a few weeks ago, offering buyers a more affordable SUV without sacrificing on safety. Could the upcoming Leopaard CS10 be a similarly viable alternative?
Photo credit: Funtasticko
