BMW Introduces Yet Another Special Edition M3 Coupe for China

In 2010, to celebrate the year of the tiger in China, BMW launched a special Chinese-market ‘M3 Tiger Edition’ sporting some added visual content. It appears that limited production coupe model was well received in China so BMW decided to create yet another special M3, this time called the Matte Edition.

The new Chinese-market M3 special is all about colors with buyers having a choice of two unique exterior finishes, gunmetal grey or black. In both cases the bespoke color is created by combining a metallic finish with a silky matte clear coat. Other cosmetic tweaks include the black chrome side air intakes and exhaust tail pipes, the red brake calipers and the lightweight 19-inch high-gloss alloy wheels.

Inside, BMW’s designers opted for carbon fiber decorative trim and matching special black carbon fiber leather for the seats along with contrasting red seams for the seat edges and door armrests.

The Chinese-market BMW M3 Matted Edition is powered by the same naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 engine found across the standard M3 lineup that churns out 420 horsepower and 400Nm of peak torque.

PHOTO GALLERY

Brilliant…BMW’s China Partner Brilliance Working on X1-Lookalike A3 SUV

There is no question that when it comes to automotive clones from China, history repeats itself. Following in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz’s China partner BAIC, which came out with a five-door hatchback closely resembling the Stuttgart firm’s B-Class, Brilliance Automotive, BMW’s associate in China, is working on a compact SUV model that looks very much alike X1 crossover.

According to Chinese news site Auto Sohu that broke these scoop photos, the new Brilliance model with the Audi name and BMW looks will be officially revealed at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show in mid-April. It is reported that the Brilliance A3 SUV will be offered with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine sourced from Mitsubishi’s local division.

Other notable doppelgangers from China include: BYD S6DM / Lexus RX, Landwind X8 / Mitsubishi Outlander, Great Wall Florid / Scion xA, Lifan 320 / MINI Cooper, Yema SQJ6451 / Subaru Forester and the Geely GE / Rolls Royce Phantom.

Source: Auto Sohu

BRILLIANCE AUTOMOTIVE A3 SUV

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BMW X1 CROSSOVER

GM Renames Camaro to 'Ke Mai Luo' in China, Priced from $76,400!

At next month’s Auto Shanghai in China, General Motors will launch the local market version of its flamboyant pony car, the latest generation of the Chevrolet Camaro - but with a twist; it will carry a different name in China. “The Camaro will have a sonorous Chinese name — 科迈罗 (Ke Mai Luo),” said GM in a statement today without giving any further explanations. And yes, just for the fun of it, we tried Google translate but nothing interesting came other than this (if you separate the words): ‘Section Main Luo.’

The Chevy Ke Mai Luo will be launched in China with the 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 engine at a base price of around RMB 500,000, equal to about US$76,400 or roughly three times the price of the Camaro V6 in the States ($22,680).

The Detroit automaker said than in recent years, China's luxury sports car segment is booming and that the market for cars priced between RMB 400,000 and 800,000 grew 141% in 2010.

“At present, this segment is dominated by cars with European design. The Camaro, with its “masculine” styling, will be a welcome addition” GM stated.

U.S.-SPEC 2011 CHEVROLET CAMARO