Haima 7X MPV could make it to India as an Innova rival

Chinese carmaker FAW-Haima has showcased its rather radical looking 7X MPV at the 2020 Auto Expo. The model has been brought into gauge customer interest before Haima’s planned entry into the Indian market.

Revealed in China only last year, the 7X stands out for its wide, Maserati-esque grille that is sure to polarise opinion. Slim headlights, oversized haunches and multiple light catching surfaces also add to the extroverted look. Blacked-out pillars lend the look of a floating roof and there’s also cladding long the lower body and wheel arches. Notably, the 7X gets car-like hinged rear doors and not sliding doors. At the back, the tailgate features a prominent blacked out section housing the large tail-lamps and windshield with a black-finished integrated spoiler at the top.

Inside, the dashboard is dominated by a dual digital displays – similar to high-end Mercedes – housing the infotainment and instrumentation. Lower on the centre console sit control surfaces for the air-con system with the high central floor console housing the gearlever, surrounded by more buttons and a rotary control for the infotainment system. Adding to the premium feel is the use of leather upholstery and inserts across the cabin along with the large panoramic sunroof. The Haima 7X comes with a seven-seat layout, with benches for the second and third row of seats.

In terms of size, the 7X measures in at 4815mm long, 1874mm wide and 1720mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2860mm. Making it longer, both in terms of wheelbase and length, and wider than the Innova Crysta though the Crysta is taller.

In international markets, the MPV is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol motor that is paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. 190hp and 293Nm of torque are sent to the front wheels only. Like the 8S, the MPV also gets three drive modes.

Haima is still exploring options for its India entry and is yet to freeze on the models too. However, the newfound interest in MPVs in India is something that could swing the vote in the 7X’s favour.