No, what you’re looking at here isn’t a new Kia Sportage, but an unnamed Geely compact SUV. Our spy photographers managed to capture this prototype in the Austrian Alps as it undergoes testing while wearing Swedish registration plates, a hint that the Volvo-owned development-company CEVT is involved in the project.
The company is currently developing Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which underpins the upcoming XC40 and other models in Volvo’s 40 Series. The Geely SUV seen here will likely feature the same CMA platform, although it may utilise the Chinese carmaker’s own powertrains rather than using those owned by Volvo.
In terms of looks, some of the Geely SUV’s striking details can clearly be seen through its thick camouflage. For starters, there are the high-rise headlamps, with a pair of smaller lighting units just below it, flanking a slatted grille.
The Geely test mule also cuts a profile that is reminiscent of the BMW X1 when viewed from the side, with five-spoke wheels fitted here. As for the rear, the heavy coveralls don’t give much away aside from the relatively narrow tail lamps.
It has been reported previously that Geely and Volvo will work together on a global B-segment vehicle platform (pointing at the CMA), which will be used on an SUV set to be the first model from a new brand codenamed “L.” The new brand is said to launched in 2017, although with the sighting of this prototype, it could come sooner.
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The front end looks like Pontiac Aztek
Dear Gerard,
When you wrote :Our spy photographers managed to capture this prototype in the Austrian Alps.
Are you saying that one of your colleague go to Austrian and took this spy-shot?
We hire the services of a few spy photography agencies like Automedia and Carpix.
Even if PT team went on to actually take the spy photos, i think it is plausible considering PT is the forefront of auto news in MY and they have covered so many international test drives (ehem, bodek). Anyway im not complaining unlike others; won silver medal still asking gold medal summore. We MY are grateful, and proud.
My points is,just out of curousity how do they knew where and when to send a team and take spy-shots? Does these car manufacture purposely leak their testing’s information to public in order to create product awareness?