Geneva Motor Show 2014: Qoros 3 hatchback unlikely to come to UK

The Qoros 3 hatchback's launch at the Geneva motor show was the second stage in the ambitious Chinese company's move into new markets. The neat looking five-door, which was styled by ex-MINI and Volkswagen designer, Gert Hildebrand, is the most European-looking model yet, but no right-hand drive versions mean we won't be seeing it in the UK.

Qoros has only been round since 2007 and is part-owned by Chinese firm Chery Automotive. The firm is positioning itself as more of a premium brand with high quality cars and much of the engineering and management team behind it comes from established companies, such as Jaguar Land Rover.

Qoros' launch certainly started well and last year the Qoros 3 saloon became the first car developed in China to be awarded the maximum five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests.

It's a neat looking design and has a slightly different front end to the saloon to help differentiate the two models. There's a hint of the previous generation Kia Pro_Cee'd in the look while inside Qoros says there is an 'understated quality' as well as high levels of standard equipment.

Standard kit includes an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system which is operated via smartphone-type multi-gestures. The hardware, software and graphics were designed and developed in-house by Qoros with the support of world-leading systems specialists. So far, Qoros has looked like the most convincing Chinese manufacturer to set foot in the European market place, given its three-car range, impressive crash performance and extensive resources.

The hatchback also shares the same 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated, turbocharged engines and six-speed manual and dual-clutch automatic transmissions as the saloon, It will be built at the Qoros plant in Changshu, China.

>> Follow our LIVE coverage of the Geneva Motor Show