Roewe 550 History

Previewed as the Roewe W2 concept at the 2007 Shanghai Auto Show and launched at the 2008 Beijing Motor Show, the Roewe 550 was the brand's first step beyond a direct Rover re-hash. Internally coded W261, it was developed through a joint Anglo-Chinese effort that drew on ex-Rover engineers working through Ricardo 2010, and was ultimately derived from the aborted MG Rover RDX60 project which itself shared architecture with the Rover 75.

The 550 was offered with a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine and quickly became one of Roewe's volume sellers in China, appealing to buyers who wanted a mid-size family sedan with some premium character. A plug-in hybrid variant was introduced in 2014, making it an early electrified offering from the brand. Production wound down around 2016, with the i6 taking over its market position.