New Chinese WTCC manufacturer

Asa · 21 Oct 2004, 11:34 (Ref:1130502)

Zhonghua, also known as Brilliance Auto, is going to enter WTCC in 2005 with the M1. John Barnard will look after the engineering.

Top international drivers will be employed, but no announcements yet.

HJC · 21 Oct 2004, 12:20 (Ref:1130544)

We can only be happy with another manufacturer!

andy_b · 21 Oct 2004, 12:44 (Ref:1130566)

...and John Batchelor invovled in running the team

429CJ · 21 Oct 2004, 17:33 (Ref:1130941)

The look of the nose gives up the technical assistant of this otherwise 100% Chinese car - BMW.
But, must say, it's better looking car than the new style Beemers.

**Dani Filth** · 21 Oct 2004, 18:19 (Ref:1130959)

hmm . RWD or FWD .. probably FWD .
not bad looking . but will they have the money and time to get close to the top ??

**touringlegend** · 21 Oct 2004, 18:25 (Ref:1130966)

I just can't believe someone of Batchelors experience will be running this - but we shall wait and see how they get on next year.

A top British car builder is building it and a top British engine maker is building the engine - who it'll be is anyone's guess.

rdjones · 21 Oct 2004, 18:42 (Ref:1130984)

Saw this in Motorsport News yesterday and again in Autosport today. I think I will belive this one when I see it.........

kmchow · 23 Oct 2004, 01:10 (Ref:1132549)

Is this automobile based on any existing platform? I assume this is a joke right? How would entering the WTCC benefit Brilliance Auto help their sales? Unless they intend to go global??

redshoes · 23 Oct 2004, 10:38 (Ref:1132826)

If it's the one I think it's a re-styled old model BMW 3-series built under licence.

alesi95 · 23 Oct 2004, 10:49 (Ref:1132831)

Quote:

Originally posted by redshoes
If it's the one I think it's a re-styled old model BMW 3-series built under licence.

It's a good base for a touring car.

gttouring · 23 Oct 2004, 10:51 (Ref:1132832)

what the heck?
Brilliance?
China is going bonkers lately with manufacturing and all
wow
nice addition- now it really is a WTCC
where is toyota honda Mitsubishi subaru daihatsu or suzuki??

**FIRE** · 23 Oct 2004, 11:02 (Ref:1132840)

Quote:

Originally posted by gttouring
what the heck?
Brilliance?
China is going bonkers lately with manufacturing and all
wow
nice addition- now it really is a WTCC
where is toyota honda Mitsubishi subaru daihatsu or suzuki??

Honda - JAS has plans to enter 2 Accords in 2005
Mitsubishi - Their engine is under the bonnet of the Brilliance.
Subaru - With AWD as their unique selling point WTCC is not interesting for them.
Suzuki - Focussing of S1600 rally.

JMeissner · 23 Oct 2004, 11:20 (Ref:1132849)

Quote:

Originally posted by redshoes
If it's the one I think it's a re-styled old model BMW 3-series built under licence.

Are you sure? RWD in other words then.

gttouring · 23 Oct 2004, 13:22 (Ref:1132912)

it is using a 2.0 litre mistubishi engine
and mitsu doesn't have any rear drive platforms eh?
so it'll be front drive...methinks
ww.touringcartimes.com

jc_nl · 23 Oct 2004, 13:40 (Ref:1132923)

http://www.brillianceauto.com/brands/zhonghua.html

official factory site

The BMW connection came after this car was introduced, so it probably is not a BMW with a new skin. The skin is designed by Italdesign btw.

**FIRE** · 23 Oct 2004, 16:45 (Ref:1133033)

I think the Zhonghua was developed with help from Giugiaro, BMW and Porsche. http://www.brillianceauto.com/strategic/index.html

Hazard · 23 Oct 2004, 19:54 (Ref:1133138)

Was this why Richard Marsh missed Donington? (Away on business).

A Proton-esque venture I feel...but hey, it adds variety to the grid, and someone's got to come last.

**Dani Filth** · 23 Oct 2004, 20:07 (Ref:1133150)

so true hazard . it was looking strange to find pugs and fords coming last

Les · 23 Oct 2004, 21:16 (Ref:1133194)

Quote:

Originally posted by Hazard
Was this why Richard Marsh missed Donington? (Away on business).

A Proton-esque venture I feel...but hey, it adds variety to the grid, and someone's got to come last.

Richard was at Donington but watching????

hrug:

**touringlegend** · 23 Oct 2004, 21:19 (Ref:1133196)

'Away on Business' usually means what it says, but in this instance looks like it meant 'pockets are empty' .

JMeissner · 23 Oct 2004, 23:44 (Ref:1133257)

Quote:

Originally posted by gttouring
it is using a 2.0 litre mistubishi engine
and mitsu doesn't have any rear drive platforms eh?
so it'll be front drive...methinks
ww.touringcartimes.com

True...

Nice site btw

kmchow · 24 Oct 2004, 07:49 (Ref:1133475)

A quick search supposedly yields that Brilliance Auto has supposedly been building 3/5 series locally in China for BMW. So that's where the BMW connection comes from. Foreign manufacturers are taxed heavily if they want to import cars to China. They do a tax break if they build them locally, but then, the foreign manufacturers must partner up with a Chinese partner who must maintain 51% of equity. Foreign manufacturers can take up the balance of 49%.

Typically, startup manfuacturer do get their platform from someone else. Perhaps underneath is a E30 BMW???

Craner Curves · 24 Oct 2004, 15:12 (Ref:1133909)

Quote:

Originally posted by Les
Richard was at Donington but watching???? hrug:

I thought I saw him hanging about the paddock. The mind boggles!

Alfa Fan · 24 Oct 2004, 20:21 (Ref:1134169)

Richard was not at Donington. He was away on business in China, at Shaghai for the GP.

touringcarnut · 24 Oct 2004, 20:30 (Ref:1134184)

Well he couldn't have been in two places at once

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