new cars

Auto China 2012: Brilliance Auto Greater China II Concept an

by translator » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:40 am

The BMW Group's Chinese partner Brilliance Auto displayed three new models at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition including an impressive concept for a mid-size sedan called the 'Great China II'.

The Chinese company said the prototype study would spawn a production model within the next two years that will sit atop of its range. The saloon measures close to 5 meters in length and features a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

Brilliance also premiered the H230, a compact-size sedan (think Focus) measuring 4.4 meters in length that will enter production this summer with engine options at launch including 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter petrol units.

Finally, Brilliance showed the H530 REEV, an electric-powered technology prototype based on the company's sedan series.

Ford Lifts the Veil on Production 2013 EcoSport Small Crosso

by translator » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:42 am

Only a few months after the debut of the EcoSport Concept at the New Delhi Auto Expo in January, Ford presented the production version of its new small crossover in a world premiere at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing.

Ford's answer to the Nissan Juke will be produced in China, India, Thailand and South America and will be offered in nearly 100 markets globally. The Detroit automaker did not say if the U.S. will be amongst those countries to get the EcoSport, though it is unlikely.

"The new EcoSport is full of personality," said J Mays, head of Ford Motor Company's design division. "Customers around the world immediately recognise its capability and SUV robustness that is achieved with aggressiveness. It is friendly and it’s a vehicle that really makes you smile."

In Beijing, Ford showed the top-of-the-line model, the EcoSport Titanium that boasts 16-inch alloy wheels and a chrome grille on the outside, and several standard technology and comfort features inside such as the Ford SYNC infotainment system with voice control.

The EcoSport will be offered with several engine options (depending on the market), including a new 1.5-liter Ti-VCT petrol engine and the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost turbocharged engine rated at 118hp and 125lb ft of torque.

Renault Introduces Talisman Flagship Saloon at the Auto Chin

by translator » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:45 am

The Renault brand looked into its South Korean portfolio and more precisely Samsung to find a suitable flagship model to add to its lineup in China. What the French automaker found is the Samsung SM7 that was launched in its home market in the summer of 2011.

After swapping badges, the Talisman was born and it made its world premiere at this week's 2012 Beijing Auto Show. The Talisman is a China-only model and will be produced in Korea alongside the SM7.

Renault said it will be exported to China starting in mid-June 2012 with a base price of 318,800 RMB (€38,652 or US$50,400 ).

The 5.0-meter long sedan model is offered in China with a choice of two engines, a 2.5-liter V6 producing 187hp (190PS) and 243Nm, and a 3.5-liter V6 with 254hp (258PS) and 330Nm. Both engines are linked to a standard six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift function.

Hongqi Debuts Flagship L7 and H7 Sedans at the Beijing Auto

No Chinese auto show is complete without a reference to Hongqi (Red Flag), one of the oldest nameplates in the country and at one time, the only brand for the domestic political elite.

At the Auto China 2012 in Beijing, Hongqi presented two new models, the flagship L7 showcar and the production ready H7 sedan, while its parent company First Automobile Works (FAW) laid out a new five-year investment plan for the brand.

The most impressive model at Hongqi's stand is without doubt the L7, a throwback to the days of the Cold War when the company produced China's state limousines.

As with Hongqi's previous flagship limousine concept, the HQD from 2005, there's a V12 engine located behind the brazen 1950's style front end. The 6.0-liter mill is said to produce a little over 400-horses.

The other model premiered by Hongqi is the H7 full-size luxury sedan that's based on the running gear of the Chinese market Toyota Crown. The H7 is described as Hongqi's answer to the long-wheelbase versions of the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class and is said to be offered with a turbocharged 2.0-liter straight four, two V6 engines, and possibly a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle).

At the Beijing show, FAW also announced plans to invest 10.5 billion Yuan (US$1.67 billion) in the next five years to reshape Hongqi and develop a new lineup of four models including two SUVs.

New BMW X1 Compact Crossover Priced from £24,660 in the UK,

The facelifted BMW X1 will go on sale in Britain this July priced from £24,660 for the X1 sDrive18d. The Bavarian company's Audi Q3 rival features minor exterior styling tweaks combined with a subtlety-refined cabin, a new flagship diesel model and two new trims, Sport and xLine.

Proving the popularity of oil-burners in the UK, the X1 will be offered exclusively with diesel engines topped by the new X1 xDrive25d, which is only available in four-wheel drive.

The 25d is powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel producing 215hp (218PS) at 4,000rpm and 450Nm (331 lb-ft) at 1,500rpm for a zero to 62mph (100km/h) time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 142mph (229km/h). The xDrive25ds returns a combined fuel consumption figure of 51.4mpg UK (42.8mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 145g/km.

The other diesel engine options for the X1 are a 141hp (143PS) 2.0-liter unit for the 18d models, plus a 181hp (184PS) version of the same four-cylinder for the 20d version.

The most fuel efficient model in the range is the sDrive20d EfficientDynamics available only in rear-wheel drive form with a manual gearbox. Its 2.0-liter unit delivers 161hp (163PS) and 380Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque, while returning a combined fuel economy of 62.8mpg UK (52.8mpg US) and CO2 emission of 119g/km.

Aside from the existing SE and M Sport trim lines, the 2012 X1 gains two more grades.

The new Sport specification sits above the SE models adding 17-inch wheels, a dark chrome exhaust pipe finish, while the kidney grille slats, bumper trims and side sills, along with the roof rails are all finished in a high gloss black. Inside, it gets sport seats in Anthracite with Coral Red highlights, high gloss black decorative trim accents along with sports leather steering wheel, gearshift gaiter with red stitching and floor mats with red piping.

The second new trim level is the more premium xLine specification, which brings 18-inch wheels, a chrome finish for the exhaust tail pipe and kidney grille slats, and a silver finish for the all exterior trim sections, side sills and roof rails. The xLine's interior features Nevada leather seats, Dark Copper trim, switchable ambient lighting and floor mats with matching piping.