Brilliance BS4
The Brilliance BS4 is a four-door compact notchback sedan produced by Brilliance Auto in the People's Republic of China, where it is known as the Zhonghua Junjie. The car was scheduled for launch in Germany, Europe's largest national car market, in 2007.
| Brilliance BS4 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Brilliance Auto |
| Also called | Brilliance M2 Brilliance Splendor[1] Huachen Junjie Zhonghua Junjie Pyeonghwa Hwiparam II |
| Production | 2006–2014 |
| Model years | 2006–2015 |
| Assembly | Shenyang, Liaoning, China 6th of October City, Egypt (BAG)[2] |
| Designer | Pininfarina[3] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Brilliance BS6 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 L BL16L I4 1.6 L 4G18 I4 1.8 L BL18T turbo I4 1.8 L 4G93 I4 2.0 L 4G63 I4 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual 5-speed manual 5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,790 mm (109.8 in) |
| Length | 4,650 mm (183.1 in) |
| Width | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
| Height | 1,450 mm (57.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,415 kg (3,120 lb) |
Following poor crash test results of the BS6 model and ensuing press comments, a Western launch was postponed at the last minute, and German sales were expected to start in the autumn of 2008, when the vehicle's structure was expected to have been modified in order to achieve improved European crash test ratings. After modification, it achieved 0 stars.[4]
The vehicle was developed in cooperation with Porsche, and used borrowed technology from BMW.[5] A station wagon, designed by Lowie Vermeersch, was made available in 2008. Due to declining sales, the M2 and all versions was discontinued in all regions in 2014, with no current successor.
Body
Seating
The M2 can seat a total of five people. The three back passenger seats has average mid-size car leg room.
Trims
The M2 had a total of seven trims; 1.6MT, 1.6MT Deluxe, 1.8MT, 1.8MT Deluxe, 1.8AT, 1.8AT Deluxe, and 1.8AT Premium.
The most basic trim (1.16MT) lacked side airbags, a tire pressure gauge, an anti-engine theft system, and a parking radar.
Optional Upgrades
Bluetooth and GPS was the only available option, and it was only available on the 1.8T AT Premium trim.
Engine
Initially the car was offered with an old Mitsubishi designed 1.8 L four cylinder engine claiming 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) of output. A turbocharged 1.8 L unit developed by Brilliance themselves, with outputs of 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) or 170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp), is already included on domestic market models. A diesel engine for installation in the European market version is still under development.
Transmission
The turbocharged version is available only with a four-speed automatic transmission, but for the European market base version a "sloppy" five-speed manual gear box is offered.[6]
Ride and handling
According to Auto Express, Ride quality is "reasonably comfortable" but steering is "vague".[6]
Equipment
The car has electronically adjustable leather seats, air conditioning and electronic parking assistance. Interior plastic is "harsh and cheap" and leather quality "cheap". ESC, which has become mainstream for European cars of this class, is not offered.[6]
Commercial
A precise date for a European press launch of the BS4 was never announced.
The car was produced under licence by North Korean automaker Pyeonghwa as the Pyeonghwa Hwiparam II.
Sales
In the year it was launched in China, over 30,000 cars were sold. In 2013, 2414 cars were sold.
Gallery
Zhonghua Showcar
The back of the Brilliance Junjie
Brilliance Junjie Facelift
Brilliance Junjie Facelift
Brilliance BS4 in the 2006 China Circuit Championship
Brilliance Junjie Wagon (Front)
Brilliance Junjie Wagon (Back).jpg.webp)
Brilliance BS4 sedan in Germany (Back).jpg.webp)
Brilliance BS4 sedan in Germany (Front)
Brilliance Junjie Wagon Cross (Front)
References and further reading
- "Splendor". Bavarian Auto Group. Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
- "Brilliance". Bavarian Auto Group. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
- "Special 2009 Geneva Motor Show". Pininfarina. Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
- "No stars for Brilliance". Autocar. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
- "Information about the M2". Chinaautoweb. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
- "Brilliance BS4 Splendor". Auto Express. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
External links
- https://web.archive.org/web/20120322100644/http://en.brilliance-auto.com/chanpina.aspx?id=5&typeId=1&status=1&mid=1 Brilliance M2 website - link is not working
