Great Wall builds Chrysler PT Cruiser lookalike

For anyone yearning for a replacement for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chinese car-maker Great Wall Motors has unveiled the wild retro-inspired Wey Yuanmeng at the Chengdu motor show.

The classic bulbous shape and chrome bumpers, door handles, mirrors and hub caps are all familiar, while the 1950 styling cues continue with porthole-shaped tail-lights, a fake spare wheel cover and overriders that incorporate a further pair of lamps.

Measuring in at 4830mm long, 1995mm wide and standing 1725mm tall, the 2022 Wey Yuanmeng is based on the same platform as the recently launched GWM Ora Punk Cat, which looks itself inspired by a Volkswagen Beetle.

An all-wheel drive pure-electric version will be available later, but from launch there is a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain that pumps out 178kW/520Nm and is combined with a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission.

There’s no word on battery size, but Wey claims the Yuanmeng delivers an impressive 195km pure-electric range.

The cabin is spacious, helped by the generous 2915mm wheelbase, and features turbine-shaped fan vents, a chrome-cowled instrument panel and a full-width touch-screen infotainment system.

There’s also lots of leather and a large central transmission tunnel that’s said to features plenty of storage space within.

Wey is currently well known in China for its range of crossovers and SUVs, but this is the first retro-designed car it has launched.

There are no details yet on whether GWM has any plans to launch its Wey brand outside of China, unlike Ora and Tank that are heading Down Under next year.

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