Brilliance joins Chinese invasion

If you're after a car from China, there's no need to wait for the slow boat. That's because there are more Oriental motors being shipped out to Europe than ever - and this is the latest addition to the line-up.

Auto Express Car Reviews

08th November 2006

The Brilliance gets its first European airing at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and joins SAIC's Roewe 750 in the battle to be king of China's medium to large saloons.

The newcomer is part of a range of vehicles built by manufacturer Brilliance JinBei Automobile, which is already well established in China.

German importer HSO Motor Europe has exclusive rights to sell the Brilliance and hopes to shift 3,000 units next year. The firm successfully launched Hyundai on to the German market back in the early Nineties.

In China, the mid-size sedan, which was originally designed by leading Italian styling house Giugiaro, is badged Zhongua.

The entry-level model, which costs around £11,300, comes with a 2.0-litre 16v engine from Mitsubishi which delivers a top speed of 118mph. For an extra £1,300, the 2.4-litre 'deluxe' model gets twin airbags, electric mirrors, headlight adjustment, immobiliser, an eight-disc CD changer and a choice of manual and auto transmission. HSO chief Hans-Ulrich Sachs said: "The Geneva show is the perfect platform for launching this brand to the European market."

Other Chinese models at Geneva will include two SUVs from maker Changfeng's Liebao range.