10.8s 0-100k? WTF, how can they label this a sports car?

That being said, it looks nice, but labelling it a sports car shouldn’t demand a higher price for essentially a mom’n'pop sedan. Plus, if they want to call it sporty at least bring a 2-dr version out so it can ‘look’ sporty.

I don’t think the Euro Accord is available with a V6? As far as I know, the only engines offered are gas 2.0L and 2.4L, as well as a 2.2L turbo diesel.

Anyways, I wonder how they will price it here.

I agree with Rick – at least give it a 6-speed seq shift tranny.

And by the way, I think the name “Spirior” really sucks.

I like the name, I like the car, I dont like the engine! The yank spec engine has a 3.5 V6. The 2010 Acura TSX has a 201bhp 2.4l engine. What is this that Dongfeng are offering?

@Matt
A vehicle that “looks” as good but is actually far inferior, what did you expect from a Chinese version of a western product? Come on now.

Oh, to add, a likely higher price. I’m *yawning* at all the offers for inferior yet more expensive products..something has to change!

That being said, I suppose vehicle prices here are still much better than the markups in HK and SG.

European specs are 150 diesel and regular 156/201 (2.0, 2.2 and 2.4 engines). About 25000€ basic version. If Guangzhou Honda may introduce the new Civic Type R, that certainly would be a spirior achievement.

Which leads to the question – Why are Chinese made models of Western and Japanese automotive products so much different (i.e. lacking in equipment) than their Euro/US/JDM counterparts?

Cars appear to be overpriced in China, at least compared to the USA, why is this?

I think the term sports car is used very loosely in China. My friend called a Ford Focus and Hyundai tiburon a sports car. I just laughed.

Matt – I would argue that foreign brands sold in the Chinese markets are mostly only lacking in the powertrain department, and some of the fancier electronic gadgets. In many cases, the exterior and interior styling and materials used are better/more upscale than their foreign counterparts.

The previous Chinese Buick LaCrosse was a good example of this. The Chinese Mondeo has side marker lamps on the mirrors, whereas the UK models have them on the body. And it’s also got LED tail lights, which the foreign models lack. The latest Honda Accord comes standard with a more aggressive/sportier bodykit than what you will find in the US. There are also examples amongst the luxury cars, such as the Cadillac CTS which has better dash styling/trim and leather seating than the US model.

Regarding your price comparison with the US, this is not a China thing – cars from pretty much anywhere else in the world appear overpriced compared to the US. Actually, some cars sold in China are quite price competitive with their foreign equivalents, especially the European models. But anything not domestically produced does carry heavy import taxes. That said, I do understand your point about relative pricing, and that’s part of the reason why both of my cars here are Fords (which happen to be Euro, not US Ford models).

From what I have seen more foreign brand cars made in China come with a little less for the same money as they are sold outside of China. Smaller engine, less standard equipment, smaller wheels.

@gerald; powertrain and electronics is what defines the premium market. I think the CTS is the same; it is the DTS which is better in china, no?

cars seems very expensive in china but only commies brats can afford the nice ones anyways.

charlie – I would say that in the powertrain department, and more specifically with regards to engines, China is somewhere between Europe and the US. But engine selection is strongly influenced by duties and taxes (taxes on gas as well as on the cars themselves).

You are right – I could very well be mistaken about the CTS – it might’ve been the DTS. But the argument holds for other cars here as well. Of course, the reverse is also true in some cases.

While you do pay quite a bit for the better cars over here, they’re still a lot more affordable than in other developing nations, such as India.

Had a look over this on Monday at the official launch, it looks fantastic but is a lot smaller than the Honda Accord. If I was in the market for a ‘premium sports car’, I’d certainly give it a second glance.

My wife is after one now!

Still, it’s not very fast, at least on paper.

Ash – have you gotten to drive this yet? I saw a black one (parked) the other day.

hey!

It would be so nice if the hypocritical “Chinese bashers” were to leave China. That should be so instead of living here, eating here, indulging in the Chinese resources etc. If you don’t like China, if it is so bad, if your homeland is so much better, why not just get out?