China Brilliance's new saloon unveiled at Hangzhou

Hong Kong listed automobile manufacturer China Brilliance launched the 3rd range of its executive saloons in the Hangzhou Motor Show recently. The car, to be called Junjie have gained the approval of many visitors to the motor show and people who have seen the initial pictures have mentioned of its similarity to BMW's design. The Junjie comes after the first Zhonghua automobile and the second one called Zunchi. For similarities, the Junjie is based on an evolution of the Zhonghua's design. It continues the signs of Giugiaro's styling on the Zhonghua and added nice design touches such as the continuous hood line from the wing mirrors that archs down to the bumper. A similar design scheme was seen on the latest BMW 3 Series. A prominent chrome grille also takes centrestage along with well sculpted HID headlight units.


The back of the car features a chrome strip and chrome tailpipes. Included with the car is also large alloy wheels which accentuates the car's side profile nicely. In line with other design trends, a wing mirror with LED indicators have been included with the car.


The dashboard of the car features wood trim inserts along with matt steel trims around the centre console. On first glance, the design looks comfortable and soothing. The Junjie comes with 4 engine options, all of which comes from Mitsubishi, ranging from an entry-level 1.6 liter to the top of the range 2.0 liter. Quality wise, the car should not be a problem as its predecessor, the Zhonghua is comfortable for the passenger. Furthermore the parent company has a joint manufacturing operations to build BMW automobiles in China.

Brand new automobile from China's FAW

One of China's largest automoble manufacturer, First Automobile Works (FAW) has unveiled their new premium saloon at the Hangzhou Motor Show. To be named Hongqi Ben Teng, the car signals the start of a new generation of Hongqi models. The Hongqi brand was the state car of all sorts in China and their present automobiles are based on older Volkswagen models like the Santana and the old Passat. Hongqi's automobiles have been used mainly as taxis in China.

In a break from traditions, the new Hongqi Ben Teng is based on the Mazda 6, as a result of their partnership with this Japanese brand. Like the 6, the Ben Teng is designed to be a four-door sedan, still the favourite model range of China's car buyers. The car has a more masculine styling as opposed to the fluidity of the Mazda's 6 design with a more prominent grille and chunky headlights. For the car's interior, the fittings are also more conservative in using beige upholstery cropped with black, offset by a wood trim. The Hongqi Ben Teng is to be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 163PS, and will be priced from US $25,000 when it goes on sale in August, with the car being aimed at the middle class consumers in China, competing with the likes of the Zhonghua Ben Chi and the Chery Sedan.

Korean automaker Ssangyong enlarges model range to 7

SUV specialist manufacturer Ssangyong Motors launched the company's 5th SUV. Named as Kyron, the new SUV is a mid-size automobile that seats 5, pitching it against the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CRV and the Toyota RAV4. British designer Ken Greenley which is also Ssangyong Motors creative director designed the Kyron and envisions it as a crossover 4 wheel drive vehicle to compete in the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment. The Kyron is also based on the SVR concept shown by Ssangyong in the Seoul Motor Show in 2005. The design of the Kyron looks more pleasing than the last car launched by Ssangyong, the hideous Rodeus.

With competitive prices, Ssangyong expects to sell 37,000 units of the cars overseas in 2006 and would likely aim to boost production by up to 40,000 annually.

Citroën shows off quirky buggy concept

Citroën will showcase a totally new open-top offroader concept called the C-Buggy
that will make its first appearance at the Madrid International Motor Show from May 25 to June 4. According to the company, the new concept is meant to be a fresh take on the leisure supermini. Modelles as a small supermini crossover vehicle with styling cues from the C3 the C-Buggy boasts a modern design of flowing lines. It was envisioned to have a design that flows with the natural surroundings.


The C-Buggy goes on show alongside C-AirPlay, unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show last year. The family resemblance is clear, although the C-Buggy is designed to be more of a fun, go-anywhere type of car that is targeted at the young and active. Through these vehicles, Citroën intends to return to its glory days of designing unique concepts that hopefully makes it into production.

James Bond to drive an enhanced Aston Martin DBS in Casino Royale

In the next sequel of James Bond movies, the internationally reknowned spy will get back into the seat of an Aston Martin. This time around, it will be the brand new model range of the DBS that Bond will take control of.Based loosely on the Aston Martin DB9, the DBS features air scoops of the engine hood, a reworked front air intake and bumper with carbon fibre splitters. The whole design is meant to create a more aggresive styling to the beautifully designed DB9. The new 'DBS' name also encapsulates the car of same name which was used in the 1969 James Bond film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'.


The new DBS features a checquered stitched sports seats, brushed aluminium steering wheels, illuminated gearshifter and a chronographu stopwatch in the centre console that can be taken out. In addition, Aston Martin have decided to demolish the rear seats to make space for carbon fibre racing helmets with black visors. This kit will definitely make the new Aston Martin fit for Bond.

BMW goes back to history with new Mille Miglia Concept Coupe

BMW reveals a brand new concept coupe that harks back to its Mille Miglia racing roots. Unveiled in Brescia, Italy, this new concept coupe features a huge hinged hard-top roof which has a reference to racing heritage in the 1940s. In addition the car features the classic narrow and long kidney grilles and rounded headlamps which was a design feature of the winning BMW 328 Mille Miglia. The BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupe was the first automobile ever to win the historic remake of the Mille Miglia after winning the classical race. In the towns and cities along the route between Brescia and Rome, the Mille Miglia celebrates automobile history in its most exclusive form. That which began in 1927 as a long-distance race over 1,600 kilometres has been being held since 1977 over the same distance as a consistency test for historic vehicles. Only those vehicle models are allowed to take part that were already at the start during the classical races. Thus, the Mille Miglia unifies past and present in a worldwide unique event for automobile enthusiasts.

Zagato designed Ferrari 575 shown in Villa D’Este Concours d’Elegance

One of Italy's most famous coachbuilder and design house, Zagato has created a one-off design based on the fornt-engined Ferrari 575 Maranello. Unveiled publicly at the Villa d’Este, the Ferrari 575 GTZ was commissioned by a Japanese, Mr. Hayashi. With design cues inspired by the 1956 250 GTZ, the car also commemorates the 50th annivesary of this Ferrari classic.


Similar to the 250GTZ Berlinetta, this car designed by Zagato sports an oval grille that harks back to the trademark of Ferrari's racing cars in the 1950s as well as a two-tone paintwork. To complete the whole customization, a 'Z' emblem that graces all Zagato's designs are attached at the side of the car, complementing the prancing horse symbol nicely.