It looks like Changan Motor Philippines is about to field another contender in the compact crossover wars as it teased the arrival of the second-generation CS55 Plus.
Changan Philippines isn't giving much away regarding its upcoming model [Image: Changan Philippines FB page]
The automaker took to social media with a teaser post of a parking slot showing the numbers ‘55’ on it, a not-so-subtle hint of the next offering that the public should expect. A stark caption that says ‘Special reservation’ accompanies the image, indicating that the model may be making its local premiere before the year ends.
Rumors that this is the upcoming Changan CS55 Plus (or the CS55 Plus II as it is known in China) have been bolstered by a recent sighting of a disguised unit traveling along the South Luzon Expressway or SLEX. A netizen spotted the vehicle undergoing road tests with all its exterior badging covered, but the rest of the design was clear enough to distinguish it as the CS55 Plus.
The CS55 Plus shares the same youthful vibe as the CS75 Plus
Introduced at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, the new CS55 Plus measures 4,515mm long, 1,865mm wide, and 1,680mm high on a 2,656mm wheelbase. Its design hews closely to the CS75 Plus sold in our market, featuring a fascia that echoes Changan’s UNI series comprising a large grille flanked by slender LED headlamps. The presence of red trim throughout the exterior lends a youthful vibe.
More red accents can be seen inside the cabin, where the CS55 Plus has room for five occupants. The cockpit area is where it will likely stand out among other Chinese-made offerings here as it uses a square-shaped steering wheel and a dashboard layout seemingly inspired by a French marque, complete with a digital instrument cluster on top of the dashboard.
Design elements in the cabin echo those of a popular European brand
The central touchscreen monitor features Apple CarPlay connectivity. Facial recognition is also included, which allows users to start the car, adjust climate control, and set the multimedia system’s sound volume according to their preferences. For safety, the CS55 Plus brings features such as six airbags, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC), driver fatigue monitoring, and a 540-degree high-definition camera array.
Power comes in the form of a 1.5-liter direct-injection turbo gasoline engine rated at 185 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. This is partnered with a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission routing power to the front wheels.
The CS55 Plus is powered by a Blue Whale 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with direct injection
In China, the second-generation Changan CS55 Plus is sold in three trim levels ranging from 106,900 yuan (Php 860,117) to 113,900 yuan (Php 916,100). For our market, Changan Philippines will likely place the upcoming model between the CS35 Plus subcompact and CS75 Plus compact crossovers, pitting it against rivals such as the Geely Coolray, MG ZS T, Toyota Raize, Nissan Kicks e-Power, and the Ford Territory.
Take a peek at what’s beyond the horizon for new models at Philkotse.com.