This is what happens when Zotye tries to be somewhat original. It looks interesting, see for example how they did the mirrors. Well, at least they tried. The Zotye T300 is a new compact SUV. It will debut on the Shanghai Auto Show and launch on the Chinese car market soon thereafter.

It looks okay until the B-pillar. Design around the C-pillar is daring. There is a line going from the front-door handle over the rear-door handle over the rear fender and then down into the rear light. I have to get used to that line. The wheels are a little bit too small but they sport sporty alloys and red brakes. Roof rails appear to be usable.

The interior is easier on the eye. There is a digital instrument panel, a 10 inch touch screen, some nice looking faux-leather and some shiny lines.

The T300 will be powered by a 1.5 turbo with 145hp and 205nm, mated to a five speed manual or a CVT, sending horses to the front wheels. Price will start around 60.000 and end around 80.000 yuan. There will also be an EV version.

Size: 4387/1835/1642, and wheelbase is 2600.

The Zotye Auto badge, in handwriting, is improperly aligned. The lights look cool. The T300 badge has the two zeros in red. That is cool as well, we applaud red or partially red badges on turbocharged cars. The shiny lines in the bumper are okay. So far so good. But! I can see a muffler. I can see it very well. I can see almost half of the muffler sticking out from under the bumper. That is not cool. That is not okay. That is not good. We are not in making tractors here are we? A muffler should be neatly hidden. Zotye usually gets this right, but not with the T300. They better stick to cloning.