The first production model from new Chinese car company, Qoros, exhibits high standards of design, engineering, quality and safety. It pioneers the brand’s principal of offering comprehensive equipment, generous interior space and advanced connectivity.
The Qoros 3 Sedan spearheaded Qoros’ arrival on the world stage at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, and is making an enduring global impact.
The Sedan introduced Qoros’ core strategic model positioning, with which it is offering features that would conventionally be seen on vehicles positioned in market segments far above the compact (C-segment) class. With this focus, the brand is dedicated to meeting the lifestyle needs and expectations of modern, metropolitan, ‘always-connected’ target customers.
Elegant, timeless design
The Sedan is the first production car to feature Qoros’ signature design language. Created from a clean-sheet by a team led by Executive Director of Design, Gert Volker Hildebrand, the Qoros 3 Sedan displays a simple, modern look, with clean, horizontal lines influenced by modern European automotive design themes.
The exterior design themes emphasise the Sedan’s long wheelbase, and with short overhangs, a smooth flowing roof line and strong rear quarters, the first Qoros features a distinctive, elegant profile.
The car’s face is dominated by a trapezoidal chrome split-frame grille surround, either side of which the front lamp clusters feature distinctive LED daytime running lights along their upper edge. The wide rear lamp clusters feature three LED light bars in a ‘hockey-stick’ shape, a key Qoros styling cue that also features in the trailing edge of the rear door windows to allow easier access for occupants into the rear seats.
Wheel sizes start at 16 inches, and the Qoros 3 Sedan can be specified with wheels up to 18 inches, drawing the eye to the car’s wide track, once again conveying solidity.
The horizontal design theme continues inside, emphasising the unusually spacious interior, evident in the ‘floating’ instrument panel and centre console that maximises the feeling of spaciousness. Understated upholstery colours, top quality materials and soft-touch surface finishes exude high quality.
Safety
One of the strongest independent endorsements of the Sedan’s high quality engineering came in September 2013 when it became the first car developed in China to achieve the maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash safety score. A few months later, the organisation announced that it was the best performer of all the cars it tested in 2013 and was one of the best performers in the safety organisation’s 16-year history. The Qoros 3 Sedan scored highly in all four areas of the Euro NCAP tests, with an overall score of 88 percent.
The Sedan is fitted with a comprehensive suite of safety equipment including front driver and passenger airbags, side and full length curtain airbags (depending on model), three-point seat belts on all seats and belt pre-tensioners for front occupants.
ABS (anti-lock braking system), EBD (electronic brake distribution), a seat belt reminder for the driver (and front and rear passengers on Elegance models), and a driver-set speed limiting device are all standard on all models, as are ISOFIX child seat mountings with top tethers on the right and left rear seats.
Comprehensive equipment across the range
The Qoros 3 Sedan is available in three trim levels: the entry-level Essence, mid-spec Experience and top-of-the-line Elegance.
Standard equipment across the range includes the brand’s innovative Qoros MMH™ (Multi Media Hub) system (see next section), Bluetooth® for handsfree calling and wireless music streaming, all-round electric windows and door mirrors with integrated LED indicators.
Entry-level Essence models start from RMB119,900, and feature keyless start, air-conditioning, a four-speaker 100-watt audio system and an anti-theft alarm and immobiliser system.
Moving up the range, buyers of the Experience specification (from RMB134,900) benefit from QorosQloud™ advanced connectivity (see next section), a 150-watt six-speaker system, two-zone automatic air-conditioning, stylish fabric-leatherette blend upholstery and a leather steering wheel. Fog lamps, heated door mirrors, and a rear parking camera provide added safety and assistance to the driver. When powered by the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, the Experience is fitted with 17-inch V-spoke alloy wheels.
An optional Experience Plus package (RMB9,000, only available on Experience 1.6L AT models) adds leather upholstery, heated and electrically-adjustable front seats and a one-touch glass sunroof.
In addition to the Experience Plus equipment, the RMB167,900 flagship Elegance model adds piano black interior décor, full cabin LED ambient lighting, two-setting memory for the driver’s seat, keyless entry and start, cruise control and automatic folding door mirrors.
An optional Elegance Plus package (RMB10,000, only available on Elegance models) includes 18-inch diamond cut Trident alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlamps with adaptive cornering technology and headlamp washers, and ultrasonic anti-theft protection.
QorosQloud™ connectivity and advanced infotainment
QorosQloud is part of Qoros’ strategic objective to be innovative and creative in meeting the lifestyle needs of the modern, metropolitan consumer. QorosQloud provides more than 30 services at launch, including several from the major Chinese content providers and social media networks. The majority of services and the permanent 3G network are provided free-of-charge.
The exclusive suite of connected services enables motorists to remain ‘always-connected’ to navigation and traffic information, their social networks, and the car’s condition, maintenance and service requirements.
Away from the car, QorosQloud services can also be accessed via a new dedicated website (www.qorosqloud.com) and a QorosQloud smartphone app, enhancing the way owners interact with and incorporate their car into their digital lives.
In what represents a major innovation for Chinese motorists, Qoros is partnering a major insurance provider to offer the Safe Drive Plan, a range of exclusive insurance and safety-related services – delivered via QorosQloud – that helps to maximise safety and provide a worry-free ownership and driving experience.
At the end of March 2015, a new incarnation – QorosQloud 2.0 – will be made available, further enhancing the simplicity of the user experience for the driver, making it more intuitive and fun to use.
In the car, QorosQloud is accessed through the innovative Qoros MMH™ (Multi Media Hub) display that is fitted as standard to every Qoros 3 Sedan. The eight-inch capacitive touchscreen boasts a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It is the first touchscreen infotainment system in the world specifically designed to maximise the opportunities and capabilities of multi-touch gestures.
The advanced user interface, software and graphics of the Qoros MMH were designed and developed in-house to safely manage information displays for minimal driver distraction and to optimise ease-of-use while on the move. The interface is based on the finger ‘swipe’ concept of modern smartphones, meaning drivers do not need to divert their eyes from the road to locate a specific part of the screen.
High quality audio is available across the Sedan range. The FM / AM radio is complemented by comprehensive compatibility with mobile devices via AUX-IN, USB (iPod compatible) ports, and wireless music streaming via Bluetooth which also allows hands-free calling via the built-in microphone.
Powertrain
The Qoros 3 Sedan is available with two powerful, efficient 1.6-litre four-cylinder gasoline engines – one naturally-aspirated and one turbocharged – both of which feature VVT (variable valve timing) to optimise performance and efficiency.
The naturally-aspirated unit, with VIS (variable induction system), delivers an output of 93 kW (126 bhp) and maximum torque of 155 Nm. This engine is paired with the six-speed manual transmission in the Essence entry-level model, accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds.
Acceleration to 100 km/h is achieved in 12.6 seconds in the Experience model, when the naturally-aspirated engine is mated to the six-speed DCT. This dry dual-clutch transmission system is compact and highly efficient, and performs rapid, smooth gear changes in either automated or manual shift modes.
The turbocharged 1.6-litre engine – available to buyers of Experience variants and above – produces 115 kW (156 bhp) and 210 Nm torque. This engine delivers its power through the six-speed DCT, accelerating the Qoros 3 Sedan from zero to 100 km/h in a brisk 9.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 217 km/h.
Fuel economy – from 6.0 l/100km – is amongst the very best in the compact class.
Vehicle dynamics
The vehicle dynamics of the Qoros 3 Sedan were tailored to European standards.
McPherson struts at the front and twist-beam suspension at the rear provide an ideal balance of responsive handling and a compliant ride. Rack-and-pinion steering with electronic power assistance delivers precise direction changes.
Stopping power is provided by 305mm disc brakes at the front and 285mm disc brakes at the rear. Braking performance and stability is enhanced by anti-lock braking (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems developed in conjunction with TRW specifically for the Qoros 3 Sedan.
Prices and model line-up
The Qoros 3 Sedan model line-up in China is as follows:
| Models | Essence |
Experience |
Elegance | ||
| Powertrain | 1.6L MT | 1.6L MT | 1.6L DCT | 1.6T DCT | 1.6T DCT |
| Price (RMB) | 119,900 | 134,900 | 142,900 | 159,900 | 167,900 |
Technical specifications
Body and chassis
Four-door, five-seater sedan with all-steel unitary construction bodyshell. Choice of transversely-mounted four cylinder gasoline engines driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Engines
1.6 – 93 kW
Type / capacity DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder with VIS, VVT and multi-point injection / 1598 cc
Power / torque 93 kW (126 bhp) @ 6,150 rpm / 155 Nm @ 3,900 rpm
Compression ratio 11:1
1.6T – 115 kW
Type / capacity Turbocharged DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder with VVT and multi-point injection / 1598 cc
Power/torque 115 kW (156 bhp) @ 5,500 rpm / 210 Nm @ 1,750-5,000 rpm
Compression ratio 9.5:1
Transmissions 1.6 1.6T
Manual 6-sp –
DCT 6-sp 6-sp
Suspension and damping
Front Fully independent by MacPherson struts, with coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers. Anti-roll stabiliser bar
Rear OMEGA-shaped twist beam, with coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers.
Steering
Type Electric power steering, rack and pinion
Gearing 2.86 turns lock-to-lock
Turning circle 5.75 metres radius / 11.5 metres diameter
Brakes
Front 305 mm ventilated discs
Rear 285 mm solid discs
Assistance Single 10-inch booster
Wheels and tyres*
16 inch with 205/60 R16 tyres
17 inch with 215/50 R17 tyres
18 inch with 225/45 ZR18 tyres
*depending on model
Dimensions (mm)
Exterior
Overall length 4615
Overall width 1839 (excluding door mirrors)
2027 (including door mirrors)
Overall height 1445
Wheelbase 2690
Front overhang 942
Rear overhang 983
Front track 1579
Rear track 1585
Ground clearance 116
Aerodynamic Cd 0.287
Interior Front Rear
Headroom 982 945
Legroom 1047 896
Shoulder room 1445 1427
Hip room 1401 1356
Weights and capacities 1.6 MT / DCT 1.6T DCT
Minimum (kg) 1320 / 1360 1410
Fuel tank (litres) 55.0
Luggage (VDA) 450 litres (rear seats upright)
900 litres (rear seats folded, loaded to roof)
Performance 1.6 MT / DCT 1.6T DCT
Top speed (km/h) 197 / 197 217
0-to-100 km/h (secs) 11.6 / 12.6 9.7
Economy 1.6 MT / DCT 1.6T DCT
Combined (l/100km) 6.1 / 6.0 6.4
