We reported in February that Brilliance was preparing to launch a new compact, the A4, to replace the M2 sedan (Junjie, BS4), and that this upcoming A4 was based on the same A-class car platform as the M2 FRV (the M2 sedan comes from a different, B-class car platform). All this holds true as the new compact debuts at the show–except that it is now called Brilliance Zhonghua 530, no longer A4.

In the new naming system, "530" means a three-box ("30") midsize ("5"), although the car designated is actually a larger compact having a 2700mm wheelbase; small Brilliance cars are going to called "3XX," mid- and large size cars "7XX."

On the 530 BMW influences are profound and pronounced as Brilliance takes great pride in being the Chinese partner of the German luxury car maker.

External dimensions: 4708mm/1788mm/1475mm (length/width/height).

Suspensions: front MacPherson independent, rear torsion beam semi-independent.

Powertrain: a 1.6-liter (4A92) rated 87kW/6000rpm and 151Nm/4000rpm, matched to a 5MT; for a future performance version, 530 will get a turbo-charged 1.5-liter (BM15T) putting out a maximum of 100kW of power and 200Nm of torque, to be mated with a 5AT.

Key Features: intelligent start/stop system, ESC (electronic stability control), cruise control, GPS/DVD, rearview camera, six airbags, and one-touch dual pane sunroof.

Projected release date: this summer.

Estimated price: 70,000 Yuan to 100,000 Yuan.

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