Brilliance releases $15k BC3 turbo coupe
click above image for more views of the Brilliance BC3
You probably don't remember this car, but we do. It's the Brilliance BC3, shown to the public for the first time in Geneva last March and now officially on sale in China. The BC3 is somewhat special because it is the first sports car developed entirely in-house by the Chinese automaker, which also plans to export the car to Europe, and maybe even the U.S. There's a lot of crash testing that needs to be done before that happens, but Brilliance has lately picked up its game when it comes to safety.
Pricing will start at just below $15,000 and go up to $21,400. It's powered by a 1.8L turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 170 HP and can be mated with a five-speed standard tranny or four-speed auto. 0-60 MPH comes in a leisurely 9.7 seconds, but we suppose that may be considered fast for those accustomed to the congested streets of Beijing. The styling is actually not that bad and reminds us a bit of the Hyundai Tiburon, like if someone mashed the second- and third-generation Tibs together.
[Source: Inside Line]
Gallery: Brilliance BC3
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Harv 2:44AM (2/15/2009)
I am in China right now, my perspective may be a bit different than those who never been here / or spend a week or two as tourist.
First of all, a lot of cars that people say is on sales in China right now, I can't find it. This include Brilliance BC3, as well as BYD's F3DM / F6DM. They may be on sale SOMEWHERE, but it is not popular.
Chinese tend to exaggerate performance / specifications. So, they are not "ahead" as much as people think.
Chinese who are more well off (white collars working in fortune 500 companies ) usually don't even consider domestically made cars for various reason. They are more likely to pick up a Buick than a BYD. Safety and reliabilities are two big concerns.
Cars in China are more expensive than USA, both in terms of relative value (to their income) AND ABSOLUTE value. i.e. Ford Focus is more expensive in China than in USA... and the Focus sold in China is not nearly as safe as those sold in USA.
American cars are not very competitive. inflexible labor force that couldn't adjust the production volume with demands, wages of labor force is way too high for skill level / education level (those work in assembly line is making more money than a Stanford graduate engineer), product portfolio is not diversify enough to meet different demand... they only have theirselves to blame for all this.
Rather China entered the US market or not is almost besides the point. Chinese car makers can't kill US auto industry. Only US auto industry itself can kill itself.
and despite all these bail outs, they are still refuse the fundamental changes needed to be competitive in the world market.
By the way, you guys better be careful what you wish for if you WANT US government to block Chinese auto imports... This current government is more protectionist than the previous one and they might just do what you've wished for. But China can easily block US auto import, shutting down GM/Ford plants in China with a stroke of a pen. It won't be clear who will loose more in the auto industry when everyone decided to put up trade barriers in the name of protect domestic economy.
Reply
Preston M 4:40PM (9/28/2007)
Its like they put effort into making the car that slow.
Perhaps thats how they've decided to go about making them more safe.
Reply
s12Dave 4:49PM (9/28/2007)
It looks pretty cool to me. Any car under 3000 lbs with 170hp would have to be faster than that. 9.7 to 60 even sounds a little slow for an automatic.
edox 4:54PM (9/28/2007)
does it come with ejection seats? gonna need them if you're in a 30mph frontal collision
Eisenfaust 5:08PM (9/28/2007)
My thinking is turbo lag. Vicious turbo lag.
Think about it. They probably took one of their standard 4 cylinder motors and slapped a turbo on it. They probably dont have a lot of experience designing turbocharged gasoline engines.
So it probably makes 170hp, but its laggy as hell, resulting in poor standing start acceleration numbers.
iamhoff 5:45PM (9/28/2007)
I was thinking the same thing. Older A4s and GTIs running the 170 hp 1.8T surely cracked the 8s, even with the tiptronic. Eisenfaust is probably correct on the turbo lag. They probably have very minimal experience in working with gas-powered turbos. Beyond that, except for the slightly goofy looking taillight clusters the car looks decent. We shall see...
zamafir 8:02PM (9/28/2007)
i'm going to agree with all of you :)... and say it's utterly lame. $15,000 buys a rabbit, $21,000 almost a GTi - both are faster... what's the point of buying a car from china if it's no cheaper and slower then the competition? We’ve all seen the crash tests.
Don 1:10AM (9/29/2007)
Doesn't look slow to me...looks good, in fact.
Chaz 4:53PM (9/28/2007)
super derivative (I know they mentioned it), but I see an Astra, a Campy, a Proton, and an Altima coupe intermingling there. Not feeling it just yet.
Reply
500 6:10PM (9/28/2007)
Yes, it is derivative, but no more so than every Honda model (BMW wannabes) to come out over the last 15 years. I like the looks of it ok, but wouldn't trust the safety or reliability yet. And the performance is just unacceptable.
Different Chinese manufacturer, I know, but what happened to the Mercedes CLK Malcolm Bricklin told us he could bring over for $19,000?
Chris 4:55PM (9/28/2007)
It looks like the birth child of a Hyundai Tiburon and BMW 3-series coupe. Not bad actually. Definitely some muted flame-surfacing styling there.
Reply
Neil 4:58PM (9/28/2007)
Overall the car looks good, nothing ground breaking....but good all the same. But I can't help but feel the car is likely to be a death trap....I wouldn't touch this car if they paid me.
Reply
Mike 4:59PM (9/28/2007)
Interesting... IMO one of the best looking designs to come out of China (minus the yellow / Red & Black color scheme which just doesn't work for me). Also one of the first cars from China that doesn't seem to contain many styling elements "borrowed" from other makes. I certainly see a little bit of the G35 Coupe, 350Z, Tiburon, etc but nothing excessive.
If they can engineer it to not disintegrate on impact and with reasonable reliability, a design like this priced at $15k could do extremely well on the world market. It's only a matter of time...
Reply
John 5:03PM (9/28/2007)
Very surprised, the design is quite nice. I'd say it is one of the better sub $20k designs. I wonder if Ital or Pininfarina did it for them. The yellow paint has to go - except if it's a NYC taxi. And the interior looks like a cheap walmart boombox. Well done.
Reply
Chris Ice 12:51PM (9/29/2007)
I, too, was struck by the design. Previous Asian original designs have been, um, confused. Did some digging, and in fact, the Italians (via Pininfarina) had a hand in penning the body style which is why it looks so damned good. The styling, however, may have been borrowed from another car (Nissan Primera?) . The interior, on the other hand, is not as fortunate and is just dreadful (per photos here on autoblog).
Here's hoping the chassis is worth a da*n...both for crash worthiness and driveability.
Flea 5:07PM (9/28/2007)
ho, check out the fake carbon fibre behind the steering wheel.
Reply
SPG 5:11PM (9/28/2007)
I like it.
As long as it's interior dimensions are accomadating, the fit and finish are at least average North American sold automobile standards, and the safety rating is good then I really want these to be sold here.
Kia rebadging and selling them here would be awesome.
They'd finally have a sporty coupe.
Heck, even if it was badged and sold as a Lada I'd think it was pretty cool.
Low cost with good looks is always a winning combo in my book.
Reply
SPG 5:12PM (9/28/2007)
Not feeling fake carbon fibre or wood for that matter myself either.
Reply
SPG 5:13PM (9/28/2007)
Damn it!
I'm incredibly bad at hitting the reply button.
That was supposed to be in response to Flea's comment.
Reply
Rene Curry 5:19PM (9/28/2007)
Is it rear drive? I would guess so with BMW being their Chinese joint venture partner.
The styling is top notch for this price range.
The Chinese automakers are learning fast with these joint venture relationships.
Reply