Jalopnik: Brilliance

Chinese Automakers Invade The Main Floor Of Detroit Auto Show

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST

After years of skirmishing in the basement of the Cobo Center, the Chinese automakers will finally set up a base on the main floor of the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. Why were the two Chinese companies, BYD Auto and Brilliance Auto, honored with the presence among the big boys upstairs? It isn't because they're selling more cars in the US, because they still don't sell any here. The Chinese automakers are benefiting from the mass exodus of automakers from the Detroit show who are bailing to save money during the Carpocalypse. We suspect the organizers thought it would be a nice gesture since China currently holds around $600 billion in US debt. The two companies will get a total of 11,000 square feet vacated by Mitsubishi. Though we hate to see any automaker flee Detroit, there are a few reasons to look forward to a larger Chinese presence. Below is our list of the five best moments of Chinese automakers at the Detroit Auto Show.

5. Travis Exploits The Book Of Songs
We have the Chinese to thank for showing us their Book of Songs and letting Travis hump it.

4. Press Release Translations
For some reason, the Chinese automakers refuse to hire US-based PR people to smooth out the edges. Hilarity ensues.

3. An Honorary Degree
Had it not been for Changfeng Motors, Mike would never have gotten that honorary degree from Liebro University.

2. Lead-Tainted Tea Time
Unlike the American manufacturers, with their typical matchbox car and backpack swag, the Chinese automakers hand out some intense swag.

1. Illegal Test Drive Through Cobo Hall
If it weren't for the Chinese, we'd have never learned how fast you can drive inside Cobo or had the chance to disrupt an ALMS press conference. In a hybrid!

[AutoNews, Photo ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images]

The Ten Most Amazing Chinese Cars And Trucks

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:45:00 EDT

In honor of the 2008 Summer Olympics we've decided to dip into our extensive knowledge of the Chinese auto industry to pick out the most amazing cars and trucks from the industrial manufacturing giant. It's kind of like a Chinese car bingo cheat sheet for you to use if you're heading to Beijing this week. Some are cars or concepts that represent the unique design and spirit of China, others are ~~horrible attempts to copy~~ interpretations of western models and at least one has Gullwing doors. If we missed your favorite, drop us a comment below.

10.) Brilliance FRV

9.) CH Design Scorpio

8.) Lifan Mini Cooper Knock-Off

7.) Brilliance BC3

6.) MG TF Police Convertible

5.) BYD F6 Hybrid

4.) BAW B60 Jeep

3. Volkswagen Santana

2. Geely GT

1. Gullwing Amphibous Santana

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Brilliance FRV 1.8T: A Chinese Thrill Ride

Mark Arnold — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:20:00 EDT

There are cars that are fun to drive, and then there are cars that, because you know you're a goner if you crash, are just scary to drive. But since most structurally unsound beaters aren't exactly capable of exciting speeds, fast and scary are often mutually exclusive. This, the Brilliance FRV 1.8T, may very well be an exception.

If you remember the significantly less than five-star crash test of the Brilliance BS6, you may never want to so much as ride in a Brilliance, let alone drive one quickly. But the FRV, also known as the Brilliance BS2, will now be offered with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox. So, as if being terrified of crashing wasn't enough, now you'll be terrified while going much faster. Which, actually, sounds quite thrilling.
[ChinaCarTimes]

Brilliance BS4 Barrel Rolls Down Hill, Driver Not Obliterated

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:05:00 EDT

After the soda can performance of a Brilliance BS6 in a German test, the crash survival of drivers in a Brilliance car was assumed to be heavily based on divine intervention. The driver of this BS4 seems to have tested those limits after crashing through a guard rail at 60 MPH and rolling over twice going downa hill. Aside from destroying the car, the driver walked away with nothing more than seat belt bruising. We're impressed with the quality of that front wheel casting almost as much as this guy's survival.

[China Car Times via WCF]

Brilliance BS2 Coming To Beijing And Possibly Europe, America Not So Much

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:45:00 EDT

Chinese automaker Brilliance, a.k.a., Hauchen, is possibly going to be showing their Brilliance BS2 hatchback at the Beijing Motor Show, according to Autohome and Dutch AutoWeek forums. These apparently leaked photos show a not too unattractive hatchback that combines lines from the Suzuki Reno, Opel Astra and Seigfried Breuer. The company eventually plans to sell 150,000 vehicles in Europe over the next few years and this could be the way they do it.

Remember that Brilliance had a little trouble with the German crash test of the BS6, the sedan they hoped to bring to Europe. They're going to have to overcome those obstacles before presenting a full line of autos for the continent. [Dutch AutoWeek Forums via Motor Authority.

Brilliance BC3 Turbo Coupe Coming To China For $15,000

Ray Wert — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:15:00 EDT

Brilliance, the automaker most recently associated with crashtastic Euro NCAP testing, plans to release the BC3 coupe shown at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year. First Brilliance plans to drop the 170 HP turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder two-door in the local market this year, Europe in 2008 and perhaps even as a US offering the year after. We'll wait and see — first they've got to get through NCAP and then, more importantly, NHTSA crash testing. [via Edmunds]

Brilliant! Chinese Brilliance BS6 Sedan Crumples Like A Coke Can In German Crash Test

Ray Wert — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:15:00 EDT

While the folks at the German ADAC institute may not have gotten quite as much of a laugh (if you don't believe us — wait until about 15 seconds into the video here) out of their recent test of the new Brilliance BS6 — the recent Chinese entry into the Euro luxe import sedan market — as EuroNCAP got out of the test of Jiangling Motors' Landwind SUV back in 2005, General Tso's new hotness still didn't fare so well. OK, that's being nice — actually, the BS6 crumpled up like a coke can and received only one star for the 40 mph offset frontal crash test. First China came for our cats, then our teeth, and now the make-a-buck yet socially-socialist country's coming after our knees and our skulls. – Ray Wert

[Autobild via Autoblog]