FAW passes new technological milestones with its Besturn models

With the theme of "Green Olympics and Technical Besturn," a press conference was held by FAW Car Co Ltd in Beijing on April 12 to launch two new Besturn models.

The automaker debuted the Besturn B70HEV, a gasoline-electric hybrid, and the B50, better known as "Mini Besturn."

The B70HEV is among vehicles named as Olympic car models by the Ministry of Science and Technology to serve in the upcoming Games due to their energy-saving, environmental designs.

Product planning and the strategic orientation of FAW Besturn were also unveiled at the conference to mark a new stage in development for the nation's intellectual property leader in mid-range and premium auto markets.

Since its launch two years ago, FAW Besturn has managed to gain a share of markets long dominated by foreign brands. FAW Car ascribed the growth of Besturn to its "technology first" development strategy.

FAW says its self-development capacity and overall resource advantages laid a solid foundation for the development of Besturn. It was the confidence in its own technical strengths that prompted Besturn to first foray into mid- and high-end markets where no homegrown brands managed to survive before.

Now well received

Although initially Besturn went through hardships as its high performance models had yet to be widely recognized by consumers and its brand suffered from low recognition, it is now well received by the market.

Its success has proved the decision to launch Besturn was in the end correct one for FAW Car.

While consolidating its position, Besturn began to formulate the scientific plans that were released at the press conference on the eve of Auto China 2008.

FAW Besturn will use the letter "B" to identify its entire fleet and categorize models of different sizes by 3, 5, 7 and 9. Its current models are named Besturn B30, B50, B70 and B90, with the second digit to represents updated models.

Under current market conditions and consumer needs, FAW Besturn sees the B50 series as its mainstream model, and will moderately extend its product line in both directions to satisfy the demands of a range of customers.

Technical innovation

Each Besturn is armed with strong technologies tailored to meet the needs of target consumers. Its Total Intelligent Control System best represents the high value of Besturn as a mid-range and premium car, while its six-gear manual transmission is superior in nimble movement and energy conservation compared to gearboxes used by rivals.

FAW Besturn says it is capable of swiftly and efficiently updating products to meet market feedback due to its research and development team that follows the core philosophy of working for the benefit of customers.

B70HEV hybrid

The Besturn B70HEV gasoline-electric hybrid, selected as an Olympic model car for its green technologies, began development in November 2006, taking just 16 months to reach production. FAW says the model is superior to competitors in both design of the power train and fuel consumption.

The B70HEV is capable of using all hybrid power modes. When the car is started or working at low demand, the electromotor works alone. As it needs mid-range power or the battery needs charging, the gasoline engine operates alone, and when the car demands a high power, the engine and electro-motor can work together.

All the core technologies used by the B70HEV were independently developed by FAW Car, including the electric motor and engine, automatic-manual transmission, electric power steering and the controller area network.

It notes the engine and transmission are equal to foreign products, and together assure the high fuel efficiency of Besturn.

The hyrid consumes only 6 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers, 42.8 percent less than a standard automatic sedan and 31.8 percent lower than manual-equipped cars. Its large-capacity electric drive results in lower pollutants - when the engine is at idle, emissions are zero and when the car is in operation, tailpipe discharges meet Euro-IV standards.

(China Daily 04/25/2008 page20)