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Not being content with constructing fine automobiles that are capable of outperforming a Ferrari F430 on Shanghai's Tianma circuit, Chery Automobile has announced a joint-venture with Uruguay-based armoured car company, Bognor Automotive Manufacture and Assembly, to produce a bullet-proof version of their mid-range Eastar sedan here in China.
Fan Shiwei, the Chery official in charge of the project, said in a statement:
Bullet-proof cars are a new growth area. There are no makers of bulletproof cars in China now, and this means Chery has once again broken new ground...
There were no details of production numbers or targeted countries for export, by the way.
Chery is probably most famous for its tiny QQ hatchback. In 2006, Chery appears to have shrugged off allegations of blatant re-engineering and became China's seventh largest automaker, and fourth largest producer of sedans with sales of 302,500 vehicles. In January this year, Chery sold 37,207 vehicles, second only to the 40,570 units sold by Shanghai General Motors. Chery also recently announced JV plans with American Daimler Chrysler to produce a small-car for the US market.
For a good review on Chery, check out this Washington Post article.
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Where did it out-perform a 430???
It embarrassed a ferrari F430 at Shanghai Tianma Circuit www.stc2002.com . That used to be my car, I fitted twin weber DCOE 40's, 285 degree cam, emerald programmable ignition ecu, whilst chinadragonracing.com fitted a straight through exhaust and manifold, lowered/uprated shocks and springs and some dunlop direzza tires to my 15 inch late model jetta rims. Brakes were a mix of santanna 2000 vented discs and audi 100 calipers with ferodo ds2000 pads.
Tianma is a fun little circuit about 45mins from shanghai, you can take any car on the track for about 150rmb for 20 minute sessions. You can also enter your road car in a race without realising it. www.fightingtorque.com . I left China at the end of last year but might be back one day.
I swear I saw the F430's brake lights go on as you swung on the inside... Was it a hollow victory?
There's actually more than a few non-glorious cars that can beat a Ferrari. Go to a Cali or Florida drag race and you'll see Honda's, Hyundais, VWs and other such cars (some more than 5 years old) beating up on expensive sports cars. That's probably what Chery did with its car. Add to that Chery does not use all of the steel cross bar technology that other cars use for crash protection in order to reduce consumer cost and you've got a high speed death machine.