The new Beijing Auto Senova X65 SUV will be launched on the Chinese car market in the first half of 2015. Price will start around 120.000 yuan and end around 150.000 yuan. The Senova X65 debuted last week on the 2014 Guangzhou Auto Show, it is the first SUV under the Senova brand.

Beijing Auto says the Senova X65 is based on their Matrix platform, which is derived from the platform of the Saab 9-3. BAIC, the mother company of Beijing Auto, bought the rights the the platforms for the Saab 9-3 and the last-generation Saab 9-5 from GM in 2009. The deal included the Saab-developed 2.0 turbo and 2.3 turbo engines.

The X65 will be powered by the 2.0 turbo, here good for 201 hp and 290nm, mated to a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Later on a 1.5 turbo will become available as well, which will bring price down to about 100.000 yuan.