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21 Oct 2004, 11:34 (Ref:1130502) | #1 | ||
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New Chinese WTCC manufacturer
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. Last edited by Asa; 21 Oct 2004 at 11:35. |
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21 Oct 2004, 12:20 (Ref:1130544) | #2 | ||
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We can only be happy with another manufacturer!
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21 Oct 2004, 12:44 (Ref:1130566) | #3 | ||
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...and John Batchelor invovled in running the team
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21 Oct 2004, 17:33 (Ref:1130941) | #4 | ||
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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. |
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21 Oct 2004, 18:19 (Ref:1130959) | #5 | ||
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hmm . RWD or FWD .. probably FWD .
not bad looking . but will they have the money and time to get close to the top ?? |
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21 Oct 2004, 18:25 (Ref:1130966) | #6 | |
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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. |
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21 Oct 2004, 18:42 (Ref:1130984) | #7 | ||
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Saw this in Motorsport News yesterday and again in Autosport today. I think I will belive this one when I see it.........
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23 Oct 2004, 01:10 (Ref:1132549) | #8 | ||
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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??
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23 Oct 2004, 10:38 (Ref:1132826) | #9 | |
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If it's the one I think it's a re-styled old model BMW 3-series built under licence.
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23 Oct 2004, 10:49 (Ref:1132831) | #10 | |||
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23 Oct 2004, 10:51 (Ref:1132832) | #11 | ||
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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?? |
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23 Oct 2004, 11:02 (Ref:1132840) | #12 | ||
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Quote:
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. |
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23 Oct 2004, 11:20 (Ref:1132849) | #13 | |||
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23 Oct 2004, 13:22 (Ref:1132912) | #14 | ||
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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 |
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23 Oct 2004, 13:40 (Ref:1132923) | #15 | ||
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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. |
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23 Oct 2004, 16:45 (Ref:1133033) | #16 | |
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I think the Zhonghua was developed with help from Giugiaro, BMW and Porsche. http://www.brillianceauto.com/strategic/index.html
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23 Oct 2004, 19:54 (Ref:1133138) | #17 | ||
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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. |
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23 Oct 2004, 20:07 (Ref:1133150) | #18 | ||
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so true hazard . it was looking strange to find pugs and fords coming last
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Apocalypse becomes creation / Gor-Gor shall erase the nation Before you leap into his gizzard / Fall and worship Tyrant lizard Ciao Marco |
23 Oct 2004, 21:16 (Ref:1133194) | #19 | |||
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23 Oct 2004, 21:19 (Ref:1133196) | #20 | |
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'Away on Business' usually means what it says, but in this instance looks like it meant 'pockets are empty' .
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23 Oct 2004, 23:44 (Ref:1133257) | #21 | |||
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Nice site btw |
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24 Oct 2004, 07:49 (Ref:1133475) | #22 | ||
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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??? |
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24 Oct 2004, 15:12 (Ref:1133909) | #23 | |||
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24 Oct 2004, 20:21 (Ref:1134169) | #24 | ||
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Richard was not at Donington. He was away on business in China, at Shaghai for the GP.
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24 Oct 2004, 20:30 (Ref:1134184) | #25 | ||
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Well he couldn't have been in two places at once
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