Automobiles Review

Tag: China

  • Rolls-Royce debuts the Ghost Series II in China

    Rolls-Royce-Ghost-II_thumbRolls-Royce-Ghost-II_651

    The acclaimed British automaker Rolls-Royce has taken advantage of the ongoing 2014 Chengdu Motor Show and has unveiled the highly anticipated Ghost Series II to the vast Chinese market. Customers, living in China and the neighboring countries, can now make use of the latest industry technologies from Rolls-Royce and other companies and join the rank of leading businessmen and entrepreneurs who drive this premium-class vehicle.

    During the unveiling of the Ghost Series II at Century City New International Convention & Exhibition Center (CCNICEC), Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Regional Director for Mainland China Henrik Wilhemsmeyer said, “The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II is the ultimate entrepreneur’s business tool. Following the worldwide success of its predecessor, I am confident that this re-designed and updated Rolls-Royce will continue to attract increasing numbers of new customers to the marque, in particular business entrepreneurs seeking an oasis of calm in a frenetic business world.”

    The Ghost Series II brings to China the same looks and technologies so you can expect to find re-sculpted LED headlights encircled by daytime running lights that lend Ghost Series II a more dynamic visual signature and blend perfectly with revised surface treatments to the front of the car. A tapered ‘wake channel’ on the bonnet, emanating from the Spirit of Ecstasy, evokes the sight of a jet’s vapour trail or wake of a fast luxury yacht and hints at the car’s dynamism. Subtle re-sculpting of Ghost’s bumpers creates a stronger stance and a sense of extra width and height, whilst the contemporary aesthetic is further enhanced with the addition of chrome inserts to the front air intakes, which now feed more air cooling to the front brakes. In addition, the famous waft line has been re-designed on Ghost Series II to lean further forwards emphasizing the car’s effortless dynamism.

    “As a design statement, Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II continues to transcend time,” comments Giles Taylor, Director of Design for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.  “This is ensured by the deft treatment of features such as the new headlights, the new wake channel on the bonnet and surfacing that lend the car a more dynamic, purposeful stance and hint at the cutting edge technology inside. I am very pleased with the overall sense of design harmony.”

    The Ghost Series II delivers on the inside too – the vehicle combines luxury, technology and connectivity that include on-board Wi-Fi for available connections to the rest of the world so that you can do your business anywhere while Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT) ensures that the car automatically adapts to its surroundings augmenting the drive experience. Updates to navigation systems and the car/user interface ensures accessing Ghost’s features remains an effortless experience, whilst optional Bespoke Audio – the most exhaustively engineered and finest audio system in automotive history – brings new levels of aural satisfaction to passengers.

    There’s no information on the engine range and the pricing of the new vehicle but we are sure the car will have more than enough power under the hood. As to pricing there’s no way its price is going to be low but Rolls-Royce is Rolls-Royce after all.

    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
    Rolls Royce Ghost Series II

    Source: Rolls-Royce

  • Citroen’s DS Family Gets The 5LS in China

    Citroen-DS-5LS-shadowCitroen-DS-5LS-mediumCitroen‘s DS line grows. Today, the 5LS joins the family – it’s a luxurious executive saloon that’s going to go on sale in March 2014 exclusively in China.

    Although it has been now officially, “unveiled” we don’t really know much about it. It’s big, that’s for sure. Boasting a length of 4.70 m, the 5LS is supposed to have the longest wheelbase in its class (2.71 m). It’s wide too. At 1.84 m distance between the fenders, there’s plenty of space for a 1955 throwback front grille. It’s not all about the history though. Stylish boomerang-shaped Daytime Running Lights and 3D rear LED lights reassuringly state that the 5LS is firmly planted in the present and looking straight ahead.

    Most of the remaining information concerns the insides – metal, wood and leather all fuse together to create an environment of utmost luxury and class. Apparently, “watch strap” seat design is the signature move of the DS line. For the ideal comfort of the rear passengers, the backrest is at an angle of exactly 29 degrees. Things get even more bourgeoisie when we consider the air ioniser inside the cabin.

    Chauffeurs (why would anyone buy the 5LS and drive it himself?) should rejoice as well. The DS features a clever stereo system, massaging front seats, keyless entry and start, blind spot monitoring, front and back parking sensors and a reversing camera.

    The oily bits are the ones that has suffered the most glossing over. All we know is that, for the time being, there will be two engines available; the THP 160 and the THP 200. Both engines feature sequential direct injection, a high-pressure pump, and Twin Scroll turbo compressors. A 6-speed automatic gearbox will channel their power to the wheels.Citroen-DS-5LS-medium-2

    Citroen DS 5LS
    Citroen DS 5LS
    Citroen DS 5LS
    Citroen DS 5LS
    Citroen DS 5LS
    Citroen DS 5LS

    Source: Citroen

  • Carlsson C25 Super GT Limited Edition

    Carlsson-C25-Super-GT-LE-thumbThe Carlsson C25 is back to appear as a limited edition. And when we say limited, we mean only 7 numbered examples delivered delivered exclusively for the Chinese market. Numbers one to three and five to seven have already been pre-ordered. The idea behind this new incarnation is lightness, rigidity and handling for even more adrenaline packed action. Carlsson have summed up everything behind the term Super GT

    So, what’s new about this one? Well, the engineers at Carlsson have managed to lose 180 kg of curb weight and still keep the engine. The overall carbon-fiber body might have something to do with that. Other than that, we have some minor face lifting at the front, some botox at the back and a newly styled rear window. Each Super GT will be customized in accordance with the buyer’s preferences – think in terms of color combinations and interior design.

    The non-negotiable features are the really tasty ones – a 450 hp V8, an iPhone adjustable C-Tronic Suspension and a set of aluminum exhaust tips. As an option, the brakes can be of a temperature efficient, fading resistant composite.

    The “number 1” Carlsson C25 Limited has already been built and will be airlifted to Shanghai in the coming days. It’s just a pity that it won’t make the journey on land with the Gut Wiesenhof in Merzig, Germany as a starting point. The other ones are yet to be hand-made but in an year’s time everything should be sold out. The price: 4,000,000 Chinese yuan which is around roughly $628,536.

    Carlsson C25 Super GT Limited Edition
    Carlsson C25 Super GT Limited Edition
    Carlsson C25 Limited Edition
    Carlsson C25 Limited Edition
    Carlsson C25 Limited Edition
    Carlsson C25 Limited Edition

    Source: Carlsson

  • Seat Expands in China

    SEAT thumbToday the brand SEAT has just made its first step to expansion in China. This was made through shipping of the first 250 vehicles. They will be marketed in China in the beginning of the spring this year! The presence of SEAT in this new market, the bran is setting up a new sea link. The latter will operate on a monthly basis between the ports of Barcelona and Guangzhou and Tianjin. More importantly, thank to this first vehicle transport link between Spain and China, SEAT will export around 4,000 vehicles in 2012.

    Today’s event was marked also by the presence of the Catalan government Ministers – Lluis Recoder, for Territory and Sustainability, and Francesc Xavier Mena, for  Business and Employment, as well as José Alberto Carbonell, Director General of the Port, and Ramón Paredes, Vice-president for Governmental and Institutional Relations at SEAT and the Volkswagen Group in Spain.

    SEAT's expansion in China
    SEAT's expansion in China
    SEAT Vehicles in China
    SEAT Vehicles in China

    Source: SEAT

  • Chevrolet Volt to conquer China in 2012

    Volt at Shanghai Port thumbThe first Chevrolet Volt has made its debut this month in China at the HaiTong Port in Shanghai. The car is part of a 10-vehicle General Motors demonstration fleet which is going to be presented in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. All of the exhibited electric vehicles will give customers the chance to experience an industry-leading electric vehicle in daily use. Moreover GM will use information taken from the test drives and charging experience in order to understand better the application of electric vehicles in China. Therefore the company will provide consumers with hands on exposure to the extended range vehicle concept. This is very important step that GM will undertake to prepare for an expansion of offerings of vehicles powered by electricity. In addition GM will also work closely with government and industry officials. The aim is to help develop a public vehicle charging infrastructure.

    The award-winning Volt will be sold through thirteen especially selected dealerships in eight substantial cities in the country. To conquer one of the first global markets such as China, Volt provides drivers with no compromises in performance or driving range, having in mind that it is the first extended range electric vehicle. Moreover Volt provides up to 80 kilometers of electric driving. And then after battery consumption it can drive another 490 kilometers using an on-board engine generator! Therefore there will be no fear of being stranded by a spent battery. The car is the best electric vehicle solution for China nowadays, because it is not limited by range or a public charging. More importantly the Volt is also very economical to operate. For instance when it is charged during off-peak hours it costs less than one-tenth of the amount of driving on petrol vehicle alone.

    Volt models for retail sale, priced at RMB 498,000, will arrive in early 2012 at thirteen selected dealerships in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Foshan.

    Chevrolet Volt at Shanghai Port
    Chevrolet Volt at Shanghai Port

    Source: General Motors

  • Chevrolet presents Volt MPV5 Electric Concept at Auto China 2010 in Beijing

    Recently, Chevrolet has introduced the fuel-efficient Cruze and New Sail in China and now it is turn to Volt. The vehicle will have extended range capability in 2011.

    Chevrolet Volt MPV5 Concept is a 5 passenger multi-purpose crossover, which shows the potential of the Voltec propulsion system. (more…)

  • Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition

    A new limited edition of Lamborghini Murcielago will be presented at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show. The name of the project is LP 670-4 SuperVeloce and it will be limited to not more than ten cars, which will be put on sale for sports cars collectors in China only. Furthermore Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera will be showcased on the Beijing auto show.

    “Automobili Lamborghini’s strong performance at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show and its launch of a special edition of the flagship Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce exclusively for the Chinese market underscore our unwavering commitment to China and the development of a super sports car culture here,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. “Last year, Automobili Lamborghini achieved 11 percent growth in China. At the beginning of this week on 20th of April, we have launched our seventh Automobili Lamborghini China dealership in Shenzhen. The inauguration of our eighth showroom in Xiamen will come soon. It is our pleasure that we can share our passion for Lamborghini with China’s super sports car drivers, collectors and fans.”

    LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is a little faster, lighter and more powerful than LP640. The engine is the same 6.5 liter V12, which now produces 670hp. The overall weight of the car is reduced with 100kg (220 lbs), so the Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs) per hp. On the track this means 3.2 second from zero to 100 km/h and top speed of 342 km/h.

    What a pity, that LP 670-4 wont reach European market.

    Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition
    Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition
    Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition
    Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition
    Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition

  • Antonov secures customers for 6-speed automatic transmission in China

    TX6 six-speed automatic transmission systemThe Board of Antonov is pleased to announce that it has secured its first confirmed customer in China for its new TX6 six-speed automatic transmission system.

    Following the recent demonstration of its technology in Chong Qing, PR China, Antonov has now received formal interest from Lifan Motors in relation to installing the transmission in its mid-sized sedans from late 2010. (more…)