Click above image for photo gallery
China’s Brilliance BS6 is a recent entry into the European market, positioned as a premium-style import sedan at a budget price. Well, after seeing the videos of the car undergoing crash testing using Euro NCAP guidelines at the ADAC (Germany’s AAA, essentially) test center, one thing’s certain: buyers get what they pay for. The BS6, as currently constructed, appears to a complete piece of crap. The horrifying 40 mph offset frontal crash test video shows damage that can be described as catastrophic at best. The A-pillar collapses and folds up like a cheap suitcase, forcing the driver’s door to pop largely out of its frame, while the lower portion of the car buckles like it’s made of recycled pop cans. We wouldn’t want to be the driver’s legs…or any other part of him for that matter. To open the mangled door afterwards, the ADAC techs needed to use a huge crowbar to get it to budge. ADAC notes that the pedals intruded a foot and a half (32 cm) into the driver’s space, while the IP moved in almost 8 inches (20 cm). Needless to say, the BS6 failed the test, garnering just 1 star.
Follow the jump for more coverage/opinion and the related videos. Thanks to Andy B. for the tip!
[Sources: ADAC (translated) via Autobild, AFX News via Forbes]
Featured Gallery
From basic to luxury, traditional to sporty, these cars and trucks come in a variety of types, but one thing is standard: they’e all available at great deals. We’e selected a list of ten cars and trucks that you should consider when you??re shopping for your next vehicle. Check out the list of popular cars and ask yourself one question: Can you handle the ride?
- Research the Hyundai Azera
- Hyundai Azera Overview
- Hyundai Azera Pictures
- Free Hyundai Azera Price Quote
MSRP: $18,550 – $23,900
Fuel Economy: 37 mpg Hwy/28 mpg City
The MINI Cooper provides the driving enthusiast with a combination of fun-to-drive performance, engineering and unconventional attitude. It features a 118-hp 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic.
- Research the MINI Cooper
- MINI Cooper Overview
- MINI Cooper Pictures
- Free MINI Cooper Price Quote
MSRP: $33,600 – $44,550
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/18 mpg City
The 3-Series delivers a special mix of sporting performance, practicality and European luxury in a compact package. It’s the car that defines ‘sport sedan,’ and the benchmark every luxury car maker from Acura to Volvo aims at when it develops an entry-level luxury sport sedan.
- Research the BMW 3-Series
- BMW 3-Series Overview
- BMW 3-Series Pictures
- Free BMW 3-Series Price Quote
MSRP: $17,515 – $26,065
Fuel Economy: 30 mpg Hwy/21 mpg City
The Volkswagen Jetta is the best deal in town if you like the idea of a solid sedan or wagon with European flair. There are three different engines: 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine generating 170 horsepower, a 200-hp 2.0L turbo borrowed from the GTI, and a new 2.0L TDI clean diesel engine for those looking for maximum fuel economy.
- Research the Volkswagen Jetta
- Volkswagen Jetta Overview
- Volkswagen Jetta Pictures
- Free Volkswagen Jetta Price Quote
MSRP: $70,700 – $96,300
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg Hwy/14 mpg City
The CLS Class is Mercedes-Benz’s youngest class, consisting of the CLS550 and CLS63 AMG. These models are large but handle like smaller cars and have bold but sleek lines. The CLS Class is a result of an effort to combine the sporty character of a coupe with the practicality of a sedan.
- Research the Mercedes Benz CLS-Class
- Mercedes Benz CLS-Class Overview
- Mercedes Benz CLS-Class Pictures
- Free Mercedes Benz CLS-Class Price Quote
MSRP: $29,185 – $44,860
Fuel Economy: N/A
The Dodge Ram 2500 offers bold styling, big power and many creature comforts, making it ideal for work and play. It provides something for everyone with the choice of two engines (including a Cummins diesel), three cab styles (regular, Quad and Mega cabs), two wheelbases and either 4×2 or 4×4 drive types.
- Research the Dodge Ram 2500
- Dodge Ram 2500 Overview
- Dodge Ram 2500 Pictures
- Free Dodge Ram 2500 Price Quote
MSRP: $26,665 – $37,025
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg Hwy/18 mpg City
The 300 stands out with bold, imposing styling reminiscent of an art deco look of years past. Its strong lines give off a sense of power and refined stature. It’s available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. An optional long wheelbase rear-wheel drive model is available that allows for a rear seat area much larger than the standard car.
- Research the Chrysler 300
- Chrysler 300 Overview
- Chrysler 300 Pictures
- Free Chrysler 300 Price Quote
MSRP: $30,450 – $44,845
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg Hwy/16 mpg City
The Grand Cherokee retains Jeep’s legendary off-road prowess while providing many luxurious and technical amenities. It’s available in either a two- or four-wheel drive. The available trims are Laredo (210-hp 3.7-liter V6), Limited (305-hp, flex-fuel 4.7-liter V8), and Overland ( 5.7-liter V8) and the high performance SRT8.
- Research the Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Jeep Grand Cherokee Overview
- Jeep Grand Cherokee Pictures
- Free Jeep Grand Cherokee Price Quote
MSRP: $23,015 – $27,730
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg Hwy/16 mpg City
The Jeep Liberty offers a good compromise between road-worthiness and off-highway capability for a compact SUV. It’s available in two trim levels, Sport and Limited, each is offered with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive systems. The standard engine in all Liberty models is a 210 hp 3.7-liter V6.
- Research the Jeep Liberty
- Jeep Liberty Overview
- Jeep Liberty Pictures
- Free Jeep Liberty Price Quote
MSRP: $16,460 – $24,840
Fuel Economy: 30 mpg Hwy/24 mpg City
The Caliber is a fun, well-rounded package, combining the versatility of a sport utility vehicle with the value and fuel-efficiency of a compact car. It’s available in four drive trim levels: SE, SXT, R/T and SRT4. The SE and SXT trims are equipped with a 148-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine; a 158-hp 2.0-liter engine is also available.
- Research the Dodge Caliber
- Dodge Caliber Overview
- Dodge Caliber Pictures
- Free Dodge Caliber Price Quote
MSRP: $35,985 – $51,075
Fuel Economy: N/A
The Ram 3500 offers bold styling, big power and many creature comforts, making it ideal for work and play. It provides something for everyone with the choice of two engines, three cab styles (regular, Quad and Mega cabs), two wheelbases, single or dual rear wheels and either 4×2 or 4×4 drive types.
- Research the Dodge Ram 3500
- Dodge Ram 3500 Overview
- Dodge Ram 3500 Pictures
- Free Dodge Ram 3500 Price Quote
The side-impact video’s no picnic, either, as the driver’s upper body takes the impact so hard, the injuries sustained would likely prove fatal. For all the crowing about Chinese cars and how they’re an inevitability, if this is the kind of safety that they’ll bring with them, have fun finding buyers. Back in April, Brilliance’s head honcho said that this very model, the BS6, would be imported to the US either later this year or in 2008. You know what? Keep it.
After seeing the car’s stellar crash performance in Deutschland, we wouldn’t be caught dead in one. The good news for Europeans is that this disastrous test result might be enough to halt sales. That’s what happened after the Jiangling Motors’ Landwind SUV failed the same test in even more spectacular fashion in late 2005 (listen to the ADAC guys crack up after they see the Landwind result in that second link).
Until Chinese automakers get very serious about making and exporting cars that meet commonly-accepted occupant protection standards, the idea of them having any impact whatsoever in the safety-conscious United States market is laughable.
The videos are embedded below, and make sure you check out the stills in the gallery, too.