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China’s Zotye rolling out Porsche Macan knockoff

The all-new Zotye SR8 has been spied this week, but you'd be forgiven for feeling like you've seen it before.


If you thought you were looking at a Porsche Macan, you wouldn't be alone. And, despite the glaring similarities, the Chinese car maker’s SUV will make its market debut at this month’s Beijing motor show.

New spy shots indicate that the similarities with the Macan run deeper than just the exterior, with these new images showing the interior borrows many design components from the Macan as well.

The SR8 (previously known as the T700) has been labelled a clear knockoff, but it won't surprise those familiar with the Chinese auto market to learn that Zotye's SUV has been approved for sale.

Last year, the companies Changan Auto and Jiangling Motors Corporation collaborated on the Landwind X7, a clear copy of the Range Rover Evoque.

Jaguar Land Rover attempted to take action against the companies, but eventually abandoned its effort.

While many may think it would be easy for car companies to protect their assets when it comes to other companies adopting their designs, legal action against car makers like Zotye has largely been ignored by Chinese authorities.

Plagiarism claims aside, power in the SR8 will come from a 142kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine supplied by Mitsubishi, married to either a five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The SR8 is expected to hit Chinese dealerships in the second half of this year, with pricing to start at around 170,000 yuan ($34,005 AUD). By comparison, the Porsche Macan is priced at 588,000 yuan ($117,583 AUD)

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