Sportequipe

Sportequipe is an Italian automotive sub-brand created by DR Automobiles in 2022. It occupies a more premium and lifestyle-oriented position within the DR Automobiles Groupe portfolio, alongside the mainstream DR brand and other marque initiatives such as EVO and ICH-X. The brand's range has focused primarily on sport-utility vehicles, with model names using numerical designations followed by the GT or GTW suffixes. Sportequipe belongs to a business model built around the adaptation and distribution of vehicles originally developed by Chinese automotive manufacturers. DR Automobiles has established relationships with several Chinese vehicle producers and sells selected vehicles in Italy under its own brands, often applying changes to equipment, presentation, powertrain calibration, market specification, and branding. Sportequipe therefore functions less like a conventional independent vehicle manufacturer with a fully separate engineering base and more like a market-facing brand within DR's broader product and distribution architecture. The first Sportequipe projects appeared in 2022. A small electric vehicle known as the Sportequipe 1 and a pickup-related concept called the Sportequipe SK were presented as prototypes, but neither became a continuing production model in the range described by the available reference material. The first production offering was the Sportequipe 5, introduced in 2023 and based on the Chery Tiggo 5x. It was followed by the Sportequipe 6 and Sportequipe 7, both introduced in 2023. The Sportequipe 6 was associated with the second-generation Chery Tiggo 7, while the Sportequipe 7 was based on the Chery Tiggo 8. A larger Sportequipe 8, based on the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, also entered the range in 2023. The model line was subsequently revised. The Sportequipe 5 and Sportequipe 7 are listed as former models after 2025, while the original Sportequipe 6 and Sportequipe 8 are listed as ending in 2026. At the same time, the brand introduced updated products carrying the GT and GTW designations. The Sportequipe 6 GT, introduced in 2024, is based on the Jetour Dashing. The Sportequipe 7 GTW, also introduced in 2024, is based on the Jetour X70. The Sportequipe 8 GT, introduced in 2025, is based on the Kaiyi Kunlun. These models indicate a move toward a more clearly differentiated, higher-trim SUV identity rather than a simple continuation of the earliest numbered vehicles. Sportequipe's public identity is consequently tied to premium presentation, SUV practicality, and accessible pricing within the Italian market, although detailed positioning statements, sales figures, international distribution data, executive information, and independent corporate financial disclosures are not established in the supplied reference material. The brand remains part of DR Automobiles' multi-brand strategy and is presented through DR's wider commercial infrastructure rather than as a separately listed company. Its current status is active, with the Sportequipe 6 GT, Sportequipe 7 GTW, and Sportequipe 8 GT identified as current offerings in the available product information.

Sportequipe was established by DR Automobiles in 2022 as a higher-positioned addition to the Italian group's expanding collection of automotive brands. DR Automobiles had previously built its business around vehicles sourced from Chinese manufacturers and marketed in Italy under DR-branded names. It later broadened that approach through the creation of EVO and other marques. Sportequipe was intended to provide a more premium and lifestyle-oriented identity, with an emphasis on sport-utility vehicles rather than the broader mainstream positioning of the DR label. The brand's earliest known projects were the Sportequipe 1, an electric-vehicle prototype, and the Sportequipe SK, a pickup-related prototype. These projects demonstrated the intended breadth of the marque but did not become continuing production products in the range documented by the available sources. The first production generation centered on SUVs. The Sportequipe 5 appeared in 2023 and was based on the Chery Tiggo 5x. The Sportequipe 6 and Sportequipe 7 were also introduced in 2023, drawing respectively on the second-generation Chery Tiggo 7 and the Chery Tiggo 8. The Sportequipe 8, based on the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, completed the initial larger-SUV-oriented lineup. The vehicles were part of DR Automobiles' rebranding and distribution model. The underlying vehicles originated from partner manufacturers, while DR supplied the Italian-market branding and commercial framework. This approach allowed Sportequipe to develop a broad range without the public record describing a fully independent platform-development program for the brand. The available material does not establish separate Sportequipe manufacturing facilities, a separately incorporated parent structure, or a distinct executive team. From 2024, Sportequipe began updating its range with GT and GTW variants. The Sportequipe 6 GT was based on the Jetour Dashing, and the Sportequipe 7 GTW was based on the Jetour X70. In 2025, the Sportequipe 8 GT, based on the Kaiyi Kunlun, became the newest listed model. The earlier Sportequipe 5 and Sportequipe 7 are recorded as former models after 2025, while the original Sportequipe 6 and Sportequipe 8 are recorded as ending in 2026. This succession suggests a continuing refresh of the brand's product identity rather than a single fixed lineup. Sportequipe remains an active sub-brand of DR Automobiles. Its publicly documented role is to offer relatively well-equipped, SUV-focused vehicles with a more premium presentation within the group's Italian portfolio. Information about sales volumes, export markets, profitability, corporate officers, production sites dedicated exclusively to Sportequipe, and independent financial performance is not available in the supplied reference material.

• 2025

  Sportequipe 8 GT is added

  [2]DR Automobilesen.wikipedia.org

  The Sportequipe 8 GT, based on the Kaiyi Kunlun, becomes the newest listed Sportequipe model.

• 2024

  GT and GTW models are introduced

  [2]DR Automobilesen.wikipedia.org

  The Sportequipe 6 GT and Sportequipe 7 GTW expand the range with newer products based on Jetour vehicles.

• 2023

  First production models enter the range

  [2]DR Automobilesen.wikipedia.org

  The Sportequipe 5, 6, 7, and 8 establish the brand's initial production lineup, primarily consisting of SUVs.

• 2022

  Sportequipe is introduced

  [2]DR Automobilesen.wikipedia.org

  DR Automobiles creates Sportequipe as a more premium-oriented brand within its multi-brand automotive portfolio.

• 2022

  Initial Sportequipe prototypes are shown

  [2]DR Automobilesen.wikipedia.org

  The Sportequipe 1 electric prototype and Sportequipe SK pickup-related prototype are associated with the brand's initial launch period.

A premium-oriented SUV brand within the DR Automobiles portfolio, emphasizing distinctive styling, generous equipment, and vehicles adapted for the Italian market.

• SUV · 2024

  Sportequipe 6 GT

  Introduced in 2024, the Sportequipe 6 GT is a compact-to-midsize SUV based on the Jetour Dashing. It represents the brand's shift toward GT-branded products and a more expressive premium presentation. The supplied sources identify its platform relationship and launch period but do not provide verified technical specifications, powertrain details, pricing, or equipment grades.

• SUV · 2024

  Sportequipe 7 GTW

  The Sportequipe 7 GTW entered the range in 2024 and is based on the Jetour X70. Its GTW designation places it within the brand's newer SUV naming strategy, following the earlier Sportequipe 7. Available reference material confirms the model's launch period and donor vehicle but does not establish detailed dimensions, engines, trim levels, pricing, or sales geography.

• SUV · 2025

  Sportequipe 8 GT

  Introduced in 2025, the Sportequipe 8 GT is a larger SUV based on the Kaiyi Kunlun. It is the latest listed addition to the brand's product family and continues the use of a GT suffix for higher-positioned vehicles. The supplied references do not provide independently verified specifications, pricing, production volume, or market-by-market availability.

• SUV · 2023

  Sportequipe 5

  The Sportequipe 5 was introduced in 2023 as one of the brand's first production models. It was based on the Chery Tiggo 5x and formed part of the initial SUV-focused range. It is recorded as a former model after 2025.

• SUV · 2023

  Sportequipe 6

  The original Sportequipe 6 was introduced in 2023 and was based on the second-generation Chery Tiggo 7. It preceded the Sportequipe 6 GT and is recorded as a former model after 2026 in the available product chronology.

• SUV · 2023

  Sportequipe 7

  Introduced in 2023, the original Sportequipe 7 was based on the Chery Tiggo 8. It provided a larger SUV option during the brand's first production phase and is recorded as discontinued after 2025.

• SUV · 2023

  Sportequipe 8

  The original Sportequipe 8 entered production in 2023 and was based on the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max. It was later superseded in the documented lineup by the Sportequipe 8 GT and is recorded as ending in 2026.

• Electric vehicle prototype · 2022

  Sportequipe 1

  The Sportequipe 1 was a 2022 electric-vehicle prototype associated with the brand's launch period and based on the Chery eQ1. It did not become a continuing production model in the supplied product history.

• Pickup prototype · 2022

  Sportequipe SK

  The Sportequipe SK was a 2022 prototype based on the JAC Shuailing T8. It represented a pickup-oriented extension of the brand concept but is not listed as a continuing production model.

• 2024

  Transition toward GT and GTW model namesGeneration change

  Background

  The initial Sportequipe range consisted of numbered models based on Chery vehicles.

  Action taken

  DR Automobiles added the Sportequipe 6 GT and Sportequipe 7 GTW, based on Jetour vehicles, while retaining a premium-oriented SUV focus.

  Aftermath

  The newer naming structure became the basis for subsequent range expansion, including the Sportequipe 8 GT in 2025.

  Source

• 2022

  Creation of a premium-oriented sub-brandStrategy

  Background

  DR Automobiles was expanding beyond its core DR marque and had already introduced other brand identities for different market positions.

  Action taken

  The group introduced Sportequipe to address a more premium and lifestyle-focused segment, with SUVs as the principal product type.

  Aftermath

  The brand developed a production range based largely on adapted vehicles from Chinese partner manufacturers and later adopted GT and GTW naming.

  Source

1. 1Sportequipe official websitesportequipe.it
2. 2DR Automobilesen.wikipedia.org