Here’s Why Qoros Renamed its Compact Models from GQ3 to 3

You know the saying, "what goes around, comes around". Well, now so does Chinese-Israeli startup Qoros, which last year, took Kia to German courts to ban the Korean company from using the "Quoros" moniker for its flagship rear-wheel drive saloon in Europe because it sounded too close to its own brand name.

For several months, Qoros was advertising its first ever production and concept models under the GQ3 nameplate, when all of a sudden last week, the automaker released photos of the cars named the "3".

At the time, there was no explanation, but on Tuesday, German news daily Die Welt came out with a report saying the reason for the name change has to do with a court order won by Audi in Hamburg, Germany, on January 14.

What happened is that Audi objected to the appearance of the letter "Q" in the "GQ3" name because it uses it along with a number for its SUVs and crossovers.

Qoros told Autonews Europe that Audi's complaint came as a surprise, since it had trademarked the "GQ3" name in Europe, and had notified Audi. A Qoros spokesman said that "GQ3 was a preliminary name for the sedan and not final", adding that the company will challenge the court's decision "to keep its options open."

Articles Source : Carscoop

2014 Qoros 3 Sedan

New independent automotive manufacturer, QOROS, has taken the wraps off the 3 SEDAN, the first of a family of all-new models designed and developed by an international team of experienced specialists and new, young talent, specifically for markets in China and Europe.

2014 Qoros 3 Sedan

2014 Qoros 3 Sedan

2014 Qoros 3 Sedan

2014 Qoros 3 Sedan

2014 Qoros 3 Sedan

2014 Qoros 3 Sedan

2014 Qoros 3 Sedan

2014 Qoros 3 Sedan

The first model from QOROS, the elegant 3 compact (C-segment) SEDAN, introduces design themes and styling features that will define a unique brand identity across the forthcoming family of Qoros models. The QOROS 3 SEDAN features an elegant exterior, a spacious, feature-packed interior and is engineered to achieve top European and Chinese crash test ratings.

“During the development of the QOROS 3 SEDAN, we directed all our efforts towards the needs and expectations of today’s young, aspirational customers,” says Volker Steinwascher, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board at Qoros. “They are very sensitive about design and quality, are highly sophisticated users of technology, and insist on the very best safety standards. As an entirely new brand, we have the advantage of being able to focus our efforts, without compromise or distraction, on meeting the demands of these customers.”

Making its world debut at the Geneva International Motor Show (7-17 March 2013), the QOROS 3 SEDAN goes on sale in China in the second half of 2013, with the first cars arriving in Europe later in the year.

Elegant exterior

The QOROS 3 SEDAN’s styling introduces a brand identity that will make every future model instantly recognizable as a Qoros. Under the leadership of Executive Director of Design, Gert Volker Hildebrand, a team of designers in Munich and Shanghai have created distinct and precise styling based on modern European design tastes.

The QOROS 3 SEDAN has a sporty, elegant profile with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, a coupé-like silhouette and a roof that flows smoothly into the b rear quarters. While horizontal lines emphasize the car’s impressive stature – at 1839 mm, it is one of the widest cars in its class – a striking swage line rises dynamically from the headlamps via the door handles to the rear lights. A prominent matt aluminium strip above each side sill adds to the visual stretch of the side profile, while muscular arches – accommodating alloy wheels up to 19-inch in size – and the car’s wide track reinforce its purposeful stature.

The face of the QOROS 3 SEDAN sets the template for the Qoros model family, with wide headlamp units extending into the flanks of the car, framing the central upper grille at the same height. Horizontal LED bars feature at the upper edge of the headlights and in the distinctive rear light clusters.

The standard alloy wheels feature a triple-split eight-spoke design, which will become another signature design element for the Qoros brand.

The QOROS 3 SEDAN will offer generous interior space, and the horizontally arranged ‘floating’ dashboard will further enhance the impression of space in the cabin. In its ergonomics and quality, the QOROS 3 SEDAN sets new standards for cars produced in China and will be comparable with the best-selling cars in Europe.

Prominently occupying the QOROS 3 SEDAN’s central console is the innovative eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that represents an automotive industry first. The advanced software, technology and graphics were designed and developed in-house to safely manage information displays for minimal driver distraction and to optimize ease-of-use while on the move. The intelligent and powerful package was created specifically with the young, aspirational, always-connected target Qoros customer firmly in mind.

Replacing the array of switches and buttons that blights many modern car interiors, the capacitive touchscreen enables users to manage entertainment, navigation, ‘Cloud’ connectivity and in-car networking functions with intuitive finger ‘swipe’ movements that will be familiar to smartphone users.

The system allows drivers to book dealer service appointments, features an automatic emergency services alert in the event of an accident, and supports usage-based car insurance services. The state-of-the-art navigation system includes best-in-class traffic information and an advanced points-of-interest search. Integrated social networking connectivity enables drivers to share their driving experiences, points-of-interest, favourite trips and photos via social media through the intuitive interface.

The immensely powerful fully-featured infotainment system will be fitted as standard across the QOROS 3 SEDAN range.

Targeting maximum safety

The QOROS 3 SEDAN is engineered to achieve maximum European and Chinese crash test ratings thanks to advanced safety technology. The car’s structural architecture incorporates the latest developments in the field of crash safety. The precise arrangement of supporting structures, as well as large-scale deformation zones, prevent intrusions into the passenger cell during collisions.

In addition, occupants are protected by a comprehensive package of state-of-the-art safety measures, including front, side and curtain airbags, as well as highly-effective seatbelt restraint systems.

2013 Qoros 3 Estate Concept

At its global debut at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show, new automotive brand, Qoros, presents the world premiere of its first series production vehicle, an elegant compact (C-segment) car with the official international model designation, the Qoros 3 Sedan.

In addition, two concept studies provide a clear indication of the new manufacturer’s future model family expansion plans.

2013 Qoros 3 Estate Concept

2013 Qoros 3 Estate Concept

2013 Qoros 3 Estate Concept

With the brand starting from a clean-sheet, Qoros vehicles are elegantly styled and focus on quality and value, and on meeting the lifestyle needs and expectations of modern, metropolitan, ‘always-connected’ target customers in China and Europe.

The Qoros 3 Sedan, which is entering a pre-production development phase after two summers and two winters of extensive testing at key locations around the world, is due to be launched in China in the second half of 2013, with first European sales following later in the year.  The launch of further Qoros models is then planned at intervals of approximately six months.

To be produced in a new assembly plant in Changshu, China, the new range of Qoros models is being designed and engineered by an international team of experienced specialists and new, young automotive talent, and has been developed with the support of internationally-renowned suppliers such as Magna Steyr, TRW, Continental, Bosch, Getrag, Benteler, Lear, Microsoft, Harman, Neusoft-Alpine and Iconmobile.

Rapid expansion of the model range will be achieved thanks to an innovative modular vehicle architecture developed in-house at Qoros.  The clean, elegant styling direction – drawing heavily on contemporary European themes – has been developed to give all Qoros models an unmistakable brand identity.

Designed to offer generous space and a high-quality interior finish, Qoros models will also feature an infotainment system which is unique in the automotive field.  Featuring an eight-inch capacitive touchscreen, the system was developed in-house by Qoros with displays designed for minimal driver distraction, replacing the array of switches and buttons that blight many modern car interiors.  The system features an advanced navigation system, extensive social networking connectivity and the ability for drivers to monitor their car’s health and, for example, to book dealer service appointments.

Qoros aims to achieve top scores on both European and Chinese crash tests for all its models.

Founded in 2007, Qoros is an equal joint venture partnership between Chery Automobile, China’s biggest independent automotive manufacturer, and Israel Corporation, a global industrial holding company.

Qoros is headquartered in Changshu, a region of great importance to China’s rapidly expanding automotive industry, where construction of its all-new, highly-efficient and environmentally-sustainable production facility is nearing completion.  “The factory has an initial annual production capacity of 150,000 units, with potential for expansion to 450,000 units,” explains Alexander Wortberg, Qoros’ Director of Production (formerly of BMW).

Qoros operates an engineering centre in Shanghai, which is also the base for many commercial and purchasing functions, with further operations in Munich (Germany) and Graz (Austria).

The Qoros 3 Estate Concept showcases a vision of a future variant with a bodystyle that is especially popular among European motorists and is geared towards the travel needs of modern families, providing generous and highly versatile interior space.

Using the same platform and distinctive clean, elegant styling of the Qoros 3 Sedan, it features a sympathetically elongated roofline and a large tailgate.  The signature horizontal styling themes emphasise the long body profile and the large side windows give the five-door estate body an athletically-pleasing, stretched look.

The Qoros 3 Estate Concept features an intelligently designed interior that provides an incredibly versatile and adaptable space that allows luggage capacity to be adapted to meet the needs and lifestyles of European consumers.  The rear seats fold to leave a flat load floor, and also incorporate a ski hatch.

A great deal of thought has been given to the development of a wide range of storage compartments and attachment fittings that optimise the functionality of the cabin for both everyday trips and long-distance travel.