German engineering is sometimes controversial, but usually also popular. Take Borgward, a company that made a remote-controlled tank with a bomb on board during World War II, for instance. Nowadays, the brand is being used to attract Chinese car buyers after not making cars since the 1960s.
We've already seen their BX7 SUV model about a year ago, as the Borgward likes to present the models it will only sell in Asia at European venues as well.
However, one car spotter in Stuttgart has filmed a heavily camouflaged test prototype, and it's got the trademark design features of the Borgward. The company is also preparing to launch the smaller BX5 in China. But our mystery prototype is different.
Below, you will find a couple of photos of the BX5 that's been spotted completely undisguised. As you can see, the projectors are clearly in the wrong place, and the tapering of the side windows is completely different. It can't be a facelift for the BX7 either, since the model was only recently revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015, plus it doesn't look like a 7-seater.
So we are left with the only logical conclusion, that this is an all-new Borgward SUV model. Several reports have made mention of the BX3, which is expected to arrive in about two years. The model is said to be about the size of a crossover like the Renault Captur or Opel Mokka.
All three models we've mentioned are supposed to share the same platform and will feature small turbocharged engines. This German-Chinese joint venture is more serious than you might imagine, as it's going to introduce Audi-like features, such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen control panel and lifetime Internet access for the first 10,000 buyers. The gearbox is a twin-clutch system, and numerous safety systems are being developed.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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