Road Test: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 car review

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is something now that it wasn’t a decade ago. Then available only with an automatic transmission and a less-than-inspiring engine, the first SLK was spurned by purist sports car enthusiasts who rightly saw it as better suited for the boulevard rather than the winding backroads.

But the SLK did have something no other convertible or roadster had, the first modern retractable hardtop that converted a weatherproof, quiet and secure two-seat coupe to a topless almost-a-sports car in less than a minute.

Today the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class still has a retractable hardtop, though refined from the original to take less trunk room when lowered, but the two-seater has been honed to a genuine sports car.

The differences are largely subjective, meaning the handling is sharper and such, but there are objective factors as well. Take power, for example. While the SLK-class received a significant restyling for 2009, with a crisper front end with a new front bumper that emphasizes the V-shaped hood and what Mercedes calls a “modified segmentation of the air intakes” for a more aggressive appearance, the V-6-equipped SLK350 received a 32 horsepower bump so that it now produces a healthy 300 horses.

That’s still fewer than the SLK55, modified by Mercedes’ in-house AMG tuner by among other things with the familiar 255-horse 5.5-liter V-8 under its hood. The SLK that we tested, however, was at the other end of the spectrum.

The SLK300 replaces the SLK280 of 2008, but despite the name change which would typically indicate a change of engine size, the 2009 SLK350 has largely the same V-6 as last year. However, that engine like this year’s is a 3.0-liter engine so actually the name change rights a wrong.

There’s no horsepower change behind the name change either. It remains at 228 horsepower. However, driving an SLK300 is a little more environmentally friendly this year. Not only has the engine been “optimized” for lower fuel consumption, its CO2 emissions have been reduced as well. All the better, one supposes, for top-down at-one-with-Mother-Earth motoring.

Standard equipment with the SLK300 is a six-speed manual transmission. Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic automatic transmission is optional on the SLK300 and standard on the SLK350. There’s also a “Sport” version of the automatic that includes paddle shifters on the steering wheel for manual up-shifts and down-shifts. The Sport version’s shifts are quicker as well. The AMG SLK55 also gets the 7-speed automatic, though special tuned for that application.

The interior of the SLK models was also updated for 2009. Most noticeable is a new three-spoke steering wheel—though only a 2008 owner would likely know—with new multifunction controls, and a new instrument panel and bezels.

Mercedes-Benz is now equipping the SLK with new NTG 2.5 generation of audio and telematics components. That surely means something to someone somewhere, and if it does to you, well, there you go. BlueTooth is a standard in the SLK-Class and there’s an optional plug in the glove box for audio devices such as an iPod or other mobile media, allowing control of these devices by the standard instrument controls. Unfortunately there’s no lock on the glove box door.

Alas, our test SLK300 did not have the optional harman/kardon Logic7 audio system that can be optimized for top up or down driving, the best yet for its roadster, Mercedes claims. Still, we were impressed with the standard AM/FM/WB radio with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and nine speakers.

Other standard “comfort/convenience” features standard with the SLK350 include leather upholstery, 8-way manual sport seats, dual-zone climate control and remote central locking with standard “Smart Key” keyless starting and access.

Our SLK300 was also equipped with options including the Premium 1 Package which includes Sirius satellite radio, the iPod/MP3 interface, 8-way power seat and 4-way (telescoping and tilt) steering wheel adjustment with three-position memory, auto-dimming driver’s side and interior rear-view mirrors, infrared remote roof actuation (cool), rain-sensing wipers and an interior ambient lighting package that uses LEDs for an automotive version of mood lighting—though there’s just one mood. This group has a price tag of $2,950.

Our test roadster also had optional digital automatic climate control, which allows setting of a specific temperature rather than just a warmer/cooler control. That costs a rather stunning $730. It should be standard equipment, no?

Also included and to our opinion a “mandatory” option is the lighting package that includes bi-xenon headlamps, cornering fog lamps and high pressure headlamp washers. The brighter headlamps alone are worth the $1,030 cost of admission.

Another thing that Mercedes roadster owners should not do without is the heating package which bundles Mercedes’ exclusive “WindScarf”, heated seats and a cloth windscreen. The latter is transparent black mesh fabric taken straight a Frederick’s of Hollywood catalog and stretched between the headrests to block wind swirling between the seats. The WindScarf is cool. Or warm actually, basically a hairdryer in the seatback that blows heated air on the occupant’s nape of the neck. Turn on the heated seats, fire up the WindScarf turn up the heater, slip on that Frederick’s of Hollywood windscreen and raise the side windows to create a bubble of warm air that can make al fresco driving in cooler temperature without it being too fresco. It’s a $990 package, but by letting you enjoy more of what you buy a convertible for it’s certainly worth the price.

Our tester was equipped with the Sport Package which includes 18-inch AMG five-spoke wheels (replacing the standard 17-inch rims), AMG front air dam and aero trim including a rear deck spoiler and—worth the ticket to sports car drivers—sport suspension. It all adds an extra $875 but sport handling is why one buys a sports car, no? (Admittedly we didn’t have the opportunity to drive a non-sport package SLK300, but if it were going to be our car…).

Of course, sport suspension doesn’t a sports car make. Indeed, driving is the true test, and there the SLK300 shines. It’s easy to prefer the bigger-engined models. More horsepower in a sports car is always a good thing, right? And 235 horsepower isn’t that special anymore, almost common in mid-level sedans. We’ll have to confess, however, that Mercedes did well by the SLK300 with its 3-liter six. The engine is smooth and if peak power doesn’t wow ’em, the broad spread of torque, 221 lb-ft from 2500 to 6000 rpm, gives a flexibility and ready punch to the SLK300 to accelerate, if not in a berserker rush, in a solid and even manner.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300It’s matched by the suspension. The chassis is solid, even with the top lowered, and the SLK doesn’t rattle or shake, allowing the roadster to smooth out bumps and cracks as if they were made of terry cloth.

The manual shifter has the click-click to it that paddle shifters will never replace, especially for those who have had learning proper sports car shifting as a rite of passage. However—and this is significant—the pedal placement seems to have been determined more by lawyers than engineers, or at least sports car enthusiasts. The brake and throttle pedal are too far apart for easy heel-and-toeing, except for those with very wide feet.

If you don’t know what heel-and-toeing is—and it’s not dancing—disregard the preceding; it won’t matter to you. But it will to the hard core sports car enthusiast who will pass judgment on the SLK’s credibility as a sports car.

Steering is tight and direct with just enough feedback to read the road without harsh kickback. Mercedes touts what it calls “direct-steer” which replaces the previous speed-sensitive power steering boost that relied on, as Mercedes says, “sophisticated actuator units and complex sensors” that made it hard to create a constant feel. Direct-steer instead uses straightforward mechanical action to achieve a similar effect. Without getting too technical, the wheels steer more quickly the sharper you turn, so when you drive on the highway steering doesn’t get twitchy but it’s a lot more nimble around town. It is disconcerting at first but it doesn’t take long before it becomes second nature and one is left wondering why other cars don’t do that.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300It’s matched by the suspension. The chassis is solid, even with the top lowered, and the SLK doesn’t rattle or shake, allowing the roadster to smooth out bumps and cracks as if they were made of terry cloth.

The manual shifter has the click-click to it that paddle shifters will never replace, especially for those who have had learning proper sports car shifting as a rite of passage. However—and this is significant—the pedal placement seems to have been determined more by lawyers than engineers, or at least sports car enthusiasts. The brake and throttle pedal are too far apart for easy heel-and-toeing, except for those with very wide feet.

If you don’t know what heel-and-toeing is—and it’s not dancing—disregard the preceding; it won’t matter to you. But it will to the hard core sports car enthusiast who will pass judgment on the SLK’s credibility as a sports car.

Steering is tight and direct with just enough feedback to read the road without harsh kickback. Mercedes touts what it calls “direct-steer” which replaces the previous speed-sensitive power steering boost that relied on, as Mercedes says, “sophisticated actuator units and complex sensors” that made it hard to create a constant feel. Direct-steer instead uses straightforward mechanical action to achieve a similar effect. Without getting too technical, the wheels steer more quickly the sharper you turn, so when you drive on the highway steering doesn’t get twitchy but it’s a lot more nimble around town. It is disconcerting at first but it doesn’t take long before it becomes second nature and one is left wondering why other cars don’t do that.

Where Mercedes engineers must truly be applauded is the exhaust note. It’s said that for the original Mazda Miata, much effort went into just making the exhaust sound just right. Mercedes did that with the SLK. It’s almost impossible to describe the liquid tenor of the 3-liter V-6’s exhaust except to say that it’s the kind of thing that makes a driver seek out stone walls, overpasses, tunnels or anything to reflect the note.

Pedal placement aside—and that won’t matter in the SLK350 or to those who select the automatic in the SLK300—the SLK-Class at least in our opinion meets the dynamic requirements that turn a two-seat convertible into a sports car. The final proof? At the end of our test, we were reluctant to return it to Mercedes-Benz. From sports car enthusiasts such as us, there’s no greater praise.

Here are some of the latest cars showcased in various auto shows around the world. Check them outThe Lincoln MKT concept car valued $1 million is presented to the media, during the International Hall of the Automobile 2008, in Mexico City, on September 26, 2008.

Japanese auto maker Mitsuoka Motor designer Takanori Aoki introduces the company's new sports car 'Orochi Kabuto,' equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 engine on a midship stylish body in Tokyo on September 26, 2008. Mitsuoka started to accept orders for the sports car and will deliver to customers early next year.

The new Dodge Demon concept car is presented to the media at the International Hall of the Automobile 2008 in Mexico City.

Models pose beside the Japanese-made environmental friendly electric vehicle 'iMiEV' from Mitsubishi during the Philippine International Motor Show in Manila.

Models pose beside the South Korean-made environmental-friendly Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle from KIA powered by hydrogen during the Philippine International Motor Show in Manila.

Japan's auto giant Nissan COO Toshiyuki Shiga introduces the company's new crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) 'Murano' at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on September 29.

A 'Space Up' hybrid car from Volkswagen is on show at the two-day international congress on environmental issues at Volkswagen's 'Transparent Factory' in the eastern German city of Dresden.

Models stand next to the new Nissan Foria during its presentation to the media at the International Hall of the Automobile 2008 in Mexico City.

Models stand next to the new Nissan GTR, at the International Hall of the Automobile 2008 in Mexico City.

Two models perform beside a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S sports car at the Xian International Auto Expo in Qujiang International Conference & Exhibition Expo Center on in the Shaanxi Province of China.

Lancia Ypsilon Moda Milano

Lancia and Italian fashion house Moda Milano team up on the 2008 Lancia Ypsilon Moda Milano. Featuring a two-tone body (Raffaello white and opaque Borromini grey), with interior trim in black Starlite leather and Alcantara, the Ypsilon Moda Milano is the latest in automotive fashion. Exciting cars like this and others were on display at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.

1963 Mercedes-Benz Type 60 Limousine

Peugeot 908 RC

The stunning Peugeot 908 RC is a luxury four-door limousine concept, and derives its name from its engine: the Peugeot V12 HDi DPFS, which powers the racing version of the Peugeot 908. The engine offers an amazing level of performance for a diesel engine, with 700 bhp and torque in excess of 885 lb-ft. A compact 6-speed electronically controlled sequential gearbox has been specially adapted to withstand the tremendous torque, and is located under the engine

2006 Subaru R1 Electric Prototype

The 2006 Subaru R1 Electric Prototype vehicle is designed for the Japanese market, and is powered with Lithium Ion batteries.

2005 Volvo 3CC Concept

This state of the art electric Volvo sports car features a body consisting of a single piece of carbon fiber, forming an extremely strong shell. This enhances chassis rigidity and thus handling. Particularly innovative is a unique two-plus-one configuration, providing seating for two adults in the front and a rear seat for an additional adult or two children.

ZAP Electric Cars Zip Around San Francisco

Steve Schneider, CEO of Zero Air Pollution (ZAP), sits in the protoype of a ZAP L.U.V. (Light Utility Vehicle) electric car. ZAP recently unveiled the new ZAP L.U.V. electric car that can travel up to 240 miles at speeds of 70 m.p.h. They sell for between $9,000.00 and $17,000.

2006 Subaru B5-TPH Concept Gas-Electric Hybrid Crossover

2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT

The 2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT Hybrid features the Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle (MIEV) hybrid powertrain, which employs an electric motor in each of the vehicle's

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

Ford was first to market with a full-size SUV hybrid and this 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid has been fully redesigned. It has SUV capabilities with the increased fuel economy and low environmental impact of its gasoline/electric hybrid system.

2009 Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept Car

The Cross Cabrio combines the genes of a typical dynamic soft-top convertible from Audi with the all-round qualities of a fully fledged SUV.

2009 Audi R8

The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car introduced by the German automaker Audi in 2007 and based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platrform.

2009 Volkswagen Space Up! Concept Car

2009 Volkswagen Space Up! concept car displayed in the Los Angeles auto show.

2009 Chevrolet Beat Concept Car

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss is named after the famous race car driver who drove to victory in a Mercedes-Benz SLR in the 1955 Mille Miglia. With a 650 hp supercharged V-8 under the hood, this Benz is capable of blistering performance. Cost: Over $1,000,000.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

2009 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro

The 2009 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro is an even higher-performance version of its R8 flagship. A 518-horsepower V10 propels this beast to a top speed of 196 mph. A similar version of this engine will power Audi's new $330,000 R8 LMS racing car that's in development for GT3 events in 2009.

2009 Nissan Murano

Nissan's recent history is for the most part a success story,

The Chinese are keen observers of American tastes. The country’s automakers can be expected to cater to those tastes while working to enter the United States market. But Chinese cars are still not here, despite promises from some of the companies at last year’s Detroit show that their arrival was imminent.

Some of those carmakers are already out of business; others are struggling to survive. Analysts said that while the remaining companies still had a long way to go in producing a car that met American tastes and safety standards, they should not be underestimated.

“The Chinese will get here, eventually,” said George Peterson, an industry analyst and president of AutoPacific, in an e-mail message. “They are fast learners, fast movers and good implementers when they have accurate blueprints. But right now they are a generation away from having competitive vehicles, and it appears most of them understand that.”

The latest indication of how far away the Chinese threat remains was both on display, and not on display, here. Gone from Detroit this year were previous Chinese exhibitors like Chamco, the short-lived American distributor for Hebei Zhongxing Automobiles, Geely and Changfeng.

And the two Chinese automakers who were in Detroit this year (on the show’s main floor for the first time, partly as a result of other automakers dropping out), Brilliance and BYD Auto, seemed farther away than their previous forecasts for introducing cars in America. Three years ago, Brilliance had announced a goal of 2009 for beginning sales in the United States.

So why was Brilliance showing four of its newest models in Detroit? Because the company still wants to enter the United States and says it has the expertise to make it happen. “In a joint venture with BMW, they assemble 3 Series and 5 Series sedans in China; they assemble Toyotas; they assemble four different engine lines,” said Jack Gerken, a spokesman for Brilliance at the show. “It’s just a tough market right now, both here and back home in China.”

He Guohua, vice chairman of Brilliance, added: “We are in Detroit because it is the perfect opportunity for us to measure ourselves against international standards.”

So far, that has been a sobering experience.

“We realized we need to do more work on our cars to reach America,” Mr. He said. Brilliance will redesign its lineup with United States crash and emissions requirements in mind.

“The one weakness Chinese automakers appear to have is that they don’t listen to consumers very well,” Mr. Peterson said. “They don’t understand how really important things like safety, reliability and durability are.”

Over all, the Chinese domestic auto market has entered a turbulent period of retrenchment, consolidation and contraction.

Survival is now in doubt for Chery Automobile, which previously walked away from agreements with both Chrysler and the entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin to build cars for America. Chery has announced layoffs, pay cuts and a freeze of development for some new models.

Another large Chinese automaker, the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, a strategic partner with General Motors, is suffering from its 2004 acquisition of a controlling stake in South Korea’s Ssangyong Motor Company, which just filed for bankruptcy protection, and its 2007 merger with the troubled Nanjing Motor Company. Shanghai Automotive has rebuffed advances from G.M. to buy Saturn and Hummer.

Though environmental sustainability is far down the list of concerns for Chinese automakers, BYD Auto is trying to find a niche in the industry by being the first to put mass-produced plug-in hybrids on the road. BYD started selling its F3DM in China last month.

Some reviews of the car have not been kind, and the company answers criticisms of the car’s steering, motor integration and braking with concessions that the car might have been offered for sale prematurely, just to gain bragging rights for beating other automakers, including G.M. with its Chevrolet Volt, to market.

But BYD, buoyed by a $230 million investment in September from Warren Buffett, brought the F3DM and two electric prototypes to Detroit and said the vehicles would be on sale in the United States by 2011.

“We are committed to a green future for our planet,” said Wang Chuanfu, chairman of BYD. “We have the ability, the capability and the desire to be a significant part of the solution.”

Mr. Wang also declared BYD Auto would be the world’s No. 1 automaker by 2025.

“The Americans cannot relax,” Mr. Peterson said. “But they can watch the Chinese closely and be prepared for when they do enter the market. There likely will be a couple of forays that will fail, such as Bricklin and Chamco, but then one Chinese company will land and establish a beachhead. Then, inexorably, we’ll begin seeing more and more Chinese-made vehicles on the road.”

ChinaCarForums.com is a website dedicated to enthusiasts and owners of China made automobiles (Chery, Geely, Great Wall Motor, Nanjing, Hafei, Zhongxing, Brilliance China etc). We welcome you to search around and view the large amount of information that is available to you here. Make sure you look at our forum-style message board where many members talk about anything related to China manufactured cars, 24/7. The message board is the center of China Car Forums with a vast following of members that grows daily. If you like to share and exchange tips/information/ideas about Chinese manufactured cars(Chery, Geely, Nanjing, Brilliance China, Zhongxing etc) related topics, this place is definitely for you! You don't have to be the owner of a Geely, Chery, Great Wall Motors, Zhongxing, FAW, Zhonghua, Hafei Motor, SAIC, Lifan etc, to join and it doesn't matter if you live in Asia, Europe, and North America etc. We also welcome lurkers that are curious about Chinese autos and just like to browse around. There are many individuals that are optimistic about Chinese manufactured cars (especially Chery,Geely and GWM) in the global market, and there are many pessimist out there that think Chinese-made vehicles will not even be able to enter global markets successfully. Whatever your viewpoint, we respect it and want to hear it!

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Also, if you are interested in knowing more about some Chinese Car manufacturers like Chery,Geely, Nanjing, GWM, etc and their history,profile,car pictures etc, then check out the following links below. Chery | Geely Brilliance China| BYD Auto| Changan| FAW| Great Wall Motor| Hafei Motor| BAW| Lifan| Nanjing-MG| SAIC| Shuanghuan| Polarsun| Dongfeng| Zhongxing| China Motorcycles| China Trucks| China Buses . For information on other Chinese auto manufacturers like Gonow Auto, Fudi, JAC, Jincheng, Beiqi Foton, ChangFeng Motor etc, you can view the manufacturers page which lists information for all automobile manufacturers in China.

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WSJ reports on Chinese car designers

China’s car makers are increasingly ambitious, as illustrated by plans to grow at home and, in some cases, expand abroad. One big impediment they face in taking on their foreign rivals: design.

Big global companies spend years, and millions of dollars, designing new cars. But many home-grown Chinese auto makers actually do very little of that.

A senior executive of one small auto maker in Hebei recently laid it out for us over a cup of tea: the reason his company can sell cars much cheaper than foreign auto makers who also produce cars in China, he said, is that his company does no engineering or design work whatsoever. Instead, they tell an outside engineering consultant which existing model they want to copy, and ask them to come up with a product counterfeited in a way that it won’t attract intellectual property lawsuits. In some cases that means companies combining styling ideas from two separate cars into one.

The problem isn’t a lack of talent — as China Journal found one recent day on a visit to the China Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. There we met Phoenix Wang and Jackie Lin, two students whose edgy car designs have put them near the top of their class. Both Wang, a 22 year old from Sichuan, and Lin, a 23 year old from Guangdong, have long been determined to pursue car design professionally. But they and their peers have dim prospects in a domestic industry that doesn’t value their skills.

Chery RICH brand unveiled, Chery Faira range finds its place?!

Chery’s latest sub brand, which is set to be named ‘Rich’ (possibly spelled Riich) was scheduled to be launched today, however, no news of its launch has appeared in the Chinese press.




But, pictures of Rich branded cars from the Faira range were spotted out in a Chery carpark (above)

The Rich brand was rumored to be sport a Bentley style badge, it seems those rumors have come true. The cars themselves do look rather interesting, the crossover style version is not to CCT’s tastes, but the hatchback looks rather nice, even if it sports some design cues from the previous generation Honda Fit.

Now it seems that the Faira range will be put under the Rich brand and will be marketed as technologically rich vehicles at a low price, very much like what Ford are doing with their Fiesta. The Chery A series will probably continue to be sold under the Chery range, but the A6 and future A6 Coupe will probably fall under the Rich brand as well.

CCT will keep you updated on the Rich brand launch.

BAW to buy Delphi assets

SHANGHAI, March 18 (Reuters) - Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Co is seeking to buy U.S. auto parts maker Delphi Corp’s (DPHIQ.PK) non-core assets, the 21th Century Business Herald said on Wednesday.

A government-backed consortium whose members include Beijing Auto and several private-sector parts suppliers are in talks with Delphi to buy its assets, including brake system and suspension businesses, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources.

It did not specify the size of any potential deal.

Delphi, which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2005, had indicated its intention to offload some non-core assets.

Delphi’s spokesman in China could not be immediately reached for comment.

Beijing Auto, a Daimler AG (DAIGn.DE) partner, is the parent of truck maker Beiqi Foton Motor Co (600166.SS). A senior executive at the firm’s investment arm declined to comment. (Reporting by Fang Yan, Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Electric Chang’an Ben Ben roadtested in Boston….

Automaker CEOs don’t make a habit of pulling up to The Boston Globe in a rental truck, dumping a prototype in the parking lot, and handing the keys to a writer. But that’s exactly what happened Monday as BG Automotive president Barry Bernsten and a lime green hatchback made an impromptu visit as I returned with lunch. Usually food has a much higher priority than thoughts of obscure manufacturers and strange-looking concept cars, but this time, my chicken burrito lost.

Bernsten, a Philadelphia steel entrepreneur turned environmentalist, formed “Be Green” Automotive in 2005 to make low-cost electric cars “unlike Tesla or Fisker,” the high-performance electric and plug-in hybrid models that sell for more than $80,000. Earlier in the day, Bernsten showed his C100 prototype to Massachusetts officials - including energy resources commissioner Philip Giudice - and is now in other New England states trying to drum up support for loans, including a proposed $150 million from the Department of Energy, according to a report from the Boston Herald.

“It’s a very capital-intensive business,” he said to the Globe. “If I finance it personally, we could put a hundred cars a month on the road. If we could get some public assistance and loan guarantees or low-interest loans … then we could put 15,000.”

Bernsten says he’s on target for a May or June launch, but he hasn’t figured out where he’s going to build the car, which will sell from $16,000 to $18,000. The goal is to construct six $25 million plants, each with a capacity for 15,000 cars per month and a workforce of 400 to 500 people. The Globe reported last month that BG Automotive was looking to open its first plant in Massachusetts, but the company will likely go to whichever state opens its coffers first.

BYD M6 Official Picture - Its not a Toyota Previa

BYD are eager to spur their car brand on in any which way they can, they’ve built sedans, compact sedans, mini cars, and now they’ve got their eyes on building the below MPV:

byd-m6-official-drawing

If you think the MPV is a Toyota Previa, you’d be wrong, its a BYD M6. M of course standing for Multi. The M6 is expected to be the first of several MPV’s from BYD, and to be honest, it looks like a rather nice MPV.

The measurements of the Previa M6 are standing at LxWxH 4,808mm×1,800mm×1756mm. The M6 will be powered by a 2.0l and a 2.4l engine, the 2.0l being BYD’s own model (BYD483) and the 2.4 being of Mitsubishi stock. The M6 is expected to be officially launched in April this year. We’re looking forward to seeing this one at the Shanghai Auto Show!

Chrysler-Great Wall JV Comes to a Halt

Last year, Great Wall Motors and Chrysler signed an agreement to share parts, technology, and sales networks in both China and the USA. However, according to this afternoons media reports it appears that the JV has come to a halt as Chrysler is fighting for survival and Great Wall are concentrating on their own development.

The agreement signed last July stated that Chrysler were searching for expansion in China, however, the sudden turn in the economy has left Chrysler in a poor situation. The JV could have been the start of something really beautiful for both companies, as GWM already make an interesting array of SUV’s (perfect for Jeep tech) and have plans for a very large R&D center (perfect for low cost research). GWM also had plans to make their own range of sedans, which could have been aided by a Chrylser input.

The major issue for Chrysler may not be the economy, but rather their latest JV partner, Fiat, who have a rather interesting ongoing spat with Great Wall motors over the Perry mini car, that looks rather like the Fiat Panda. Could have Fiat played a hand in stopping the JV? Possibly.

Great Wall sold 125,000 vehicles in China last year, and exported 55,000 to foreign markets. This year they are pushing to sell 200,000 vehicles, GWM are reportedly planning to use the lull in sales to focus heavily on R&D which will give them excellent cars in which to push into Europe once the economy picks up.

‘The small engine spring has arrived’ - 1.6l or smaller engine sales up 18%

The government initiated program to boost car sales in January and February has worked wonders for sub 1.6l car sales. The government cut the sales tax on sub 1.6L cars, and as a consequence saw sub 1.6l car sales blossom by an amazing 18.78% in January and February alone.

In February, 820,760 cars were sold in China, giving a monthly average of 45,800 cars per month. China

You may be thinking that its ‘testing tuesday’ on CCT, what with all the spotted out testing posts, but bare with us!

The Golf Plus is an odd vehicle, its neither a true 7 seater MPV, nor a small hatchback. Essentially its a heightened Golf, but shorter than its true MPV brother, the VW Touran.


We’re not entirely sure what VW hopes to achieve if they go ahead and launch the Plus in China, as they already sell a 5 seater Touran which fills the 5 seater MPV niche quite well.

2009 Porsche 911 Tuning Program From Mansory

Porsche has often been on the front page of Indian Autos Blog, thanks to its tuners. Swiss tuners Mansory were featured today morning for their 955, and earlier last week for their Chopster, both based on the SUV Cayenne. The Porsche 911 is an icon. But can it be transformed into something better in terms of spec, and even so, is it of any worth? Nothing’s stopped Mansory from giving it a go. The tuning package for the 2009 Porsche 911 from Mansory touches upon all the three interests of any tuner- Aerodynamics, handling and the engine.

The company Mansory is situated in Bavaria and one of the top addresses for refining premium sports cars. Whether Bentley, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Ferrari or Porsche - the refining specialist shows its technical talent for every automobile. The subsidiary company Mansory Switzerland AG, the in-house expert for Porsche cars, presents a comprehensive tuning programme for the model 911 from the recently revived Porsche Type 997 series at the Geneva Auto Salon 2009.