OOC Disclaimer: I don’t speak Chinese. Any Chinese characters and pinyin/phonetic names come from google translate. I apologize for any incorrect or unusual word use and for any potential misunderstandings…or worse. Without further ado let the show begin…well for me…I’m a little late because of a busy week.
Hello everyone and welcome to the Luther-FASE Alliance presentation at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show! My name is Vincent Redmond. I’m the lead designer for the Mulholland Automotive Design Studio, a subsidy of LFA. It’s my honor to be the lead presenter for you today. I’m joined by Arthur Zhang Lei and Maria Ruiz Alvarez.
We are very excited to be here and are delighted to be able to reveal to you our next generation of vehicles. These cars will be released to international markets not only later this year and next year, but also right after the presentation. That is right, several of these vehicles will be hitting the dealer lot and be available to order at the end of this showing. So please, stick around for all the exciting new offers available from LFA.
Let’s begin with stating that this year’s show will not focus solely on Luther or FASE. Our subsidiary marques will be joining us, which we hope will impress you. In fact, the main thrust of this year’s presentation is not about showing you a facelift of a previous generation of vehicles, but rather revealing to the world market entirely new faces! We shall start with perhaps our most unknown marque; Teshu!
In 2006 Luther Motor Company approached a small Chinese automaker called “Exceptional Automobile Group”; Teshu. Luther designers and executives liked what they saw in the independent fledging company who had bold fresh ideas. This company did not rely on imitating well known big name companies, but instead focused on innovation. Improving their ideas to create and deliver to the Chinese a vehicle that was a wholly native experience. Since then the two companies have grown close to each other sharing design ideas, late nights and many laughs.
Today, Luther Motor Company is proud to uphold Teshu and showcase to the world what a decade of hard work and determination can do. Luther hopes to bring Teshu to the forefront of the international market and give to the world a new automotive experience. Combining affordability, practicality, luxury, handling, and more into their vehicles, Teshu is looking to become the world’s next great automotive powerhouse. Without further ado, here is the Teshu showcase presented by my friend Arthur Zhang Lei. Enjoy. Arthur…
Thank you Vincent. Hello I am Arthur Zhang Lei and I’m the lead for Project Bái shī or White Lion for Teshu and its Xùn lóng, or Fast Dragon, division. My team have worked hard to put together one of the Teshu main event cars on show for you today, the White Lion. First, however, I want to talk to you about our flagship vehicle the MXJ 200 series of which we have the MXJ 266 available to you and worldwide following this presentation.
The MXJ 200 series has existed in China since 2012. We have refined it several times by improving the interior, the infotainment systems, safety systems, material construction and much more. It has finally reached the point where we not only consider it to be one of the best cars in China, but that it has the possibility to be one of the best cars on the planet! Haha, I understand the arrogant nature of such a statement, but I wouldn’t make such a large claim without the ability to back it up.
Allow me to introduce the MXJ 226 “Flourish”. This mid-sized sedan is slotted to enter the market, currently, at $22,995 and at that introductory price will offer standard a huge number of premium components. The MXJ 266 is an AHS steel monocoque shell covered in corrosive resistant panels with independent suspension on the front and back. Inside you’ll find a premium leather interior with heated seats that have fully electronic seat adjustment for the driver seat and three programmable presets for multiple drivers. An industry standard infotainment system with an 7.5 inch touch screen that controls everything from phone connectivity (hands free calling, messaging and more), control of the AM/FM/XM radio with USB connectivity for independent audio devices (Bluetooth connectivity is also linked in so Bluetooth capable devices and phones can be synced wirelessly), climate control and navigation. Power steering, antilock brakes, electronic stability, traction control and even launch control are all standard. Electronic stability and traction control have buttons located by shifter which allow for easy activation/deactivation.
The vehicle is powered by a 2.6L naturally aspirated direct injected 24V DOHC inline six producing 279 peak horsepower and 253NM of torque. The engine makes use of Luther VITALS II, a variable value lift and all cams variable value timing system allowing for a silky smooth torque curve. The engine is hooked up to a six speed automatic and limited slip differential. Power is transferred to the front wheels via all season medium compound tires with 18 inch Alloy wheels allowing for a superb mix of drivability and a sporty feel. This combination allows for a 0-62mph of 7.5 seconds and a top speed of ~163 MPH. Vented disc brakes at every corner prevent brake fade and bring this 3500lb+ sedan to a stop in 124 feet. Of course it’s also able to achieve a combined average of 30 US MPG.
Next up with have the MYJ 400 Exquisite SUV. This vehicle is geared toward those who want to experience all the comforts of the MXJ 200 series in a much larger scale.
Using the same production materials as the MXJ 200 series, the MYJ 400 makes use of an AHS monocoque shell and the same corrosion resistant panels. You’ll find a more heavy duty yet equally capable and manageable independent suspension set up. The same premium leather interior, but this time there are eight seats! The front two seats both get fully electronic seat adjustment with the driver still receiving the 3 programmable presets. Both front seats are heated and cooled.
The infotainment system has been upgraded to an 8.9 inch screen with all the same features, but also includes 3D navigation. It also includes a fully electronic diagnostic evaluation procedure that can alert both you and your authorized dealer to almost any mechanical or electrical issue. Built into the roof of the vehicle are two 10in display screens connected to a DVD/Blu-ray player which is integrated into the rear of the center console. One is for the first row of rear passengers’ seats and the second for the third row so that everyone can enjoy the show!
The MYJ 400 is powered by a 4L naturally aspirated direct injected 24V DOHC V8 producing 399HP and 396NM of torque. This engine also makes use of VITALS II, much like the MXJ’s 2.6L. Despite being a V8 the engine is fuel efficient and produces low emissions. In the MYJ 400 the engine allows the vehicle to achieve a combined 23.5 USMPG, which we consider excellent for 4300lbs. The MYJ 400 makes use of a 7 speed DCT and electric LSD to reduce wheel spin and provide for quick shifts. It has a top speed of just over 150mph and accelerates from 0-62 in 6.9 seconds! Stopping is just as fast thanks to vented brakes at every wheel. They help stop the car in just over 125ft with no brake fade. You’ll also look very nice sitting atop 21inch Chromed Alloy wheels!
The MYJ 400 will be available later this year starting at $39,795!
Last, but certainly not least, from Teshu we have what I consider to be my crowning achievement: The White Lion.
Originally intended as a sports car, the Lion has become so much more to me. I started Project White Lion a couple years ago as a proof of concept. The idea was to build a competitive reasonably priced sports cars that could keep up with best of them, but cost a fraction of the price without sacrificing quality. I believe we have accomplished that goal. Thanks to our supporters at Mulholland/MAD, our combined expertize has crafted this, in my opinion, beautiful car that you see before you.
Unlike some of our competitors and even our brothers at Mulholland/MAD, we do not have access to necessary machinery required to construct carbon fiber tubs. We, therefore, had to take a different approach. The lightest, strongest and cost-effective materials and means available to us was aluminum. So we began to tool and assemble our machines to produce a glued aluminum monocoque shell. This would serve as the basis for the White Lion. Once we had the shell we knew that the panel material also had to be aluminum. We had toyed with the idea of using fiberglass but the lack of strength behind the material would have left us exposed to less than satisfactory safety numbers.
We decided the best arrangement for us was to make a mid-engine vehicle with the engine mounted longitudinally. The pushrod suspension had already been pledged to us by Mulholland/MAD so we didn’t have to worry about devising our own. We began to wonder what we would use to power our beast. Would we use a V12, V10, V8, or a six cylinder? Would we turbocharge or supercharge? What would we do? Well we had that decided for us. We didn’t have the budget to construct an entirely new engine so it had to be something we had. Teshu also didn’t have access to any V12s or V10s, so none of those. We didn’t have the funds to create the Inline sixes and V6s that would be acceptable. What we did have access to, however, was the MYJ’s V8 and that’s what we got.
Of course we tuned it for our needs. We increased the power output to 420HP from 399HP by changing the fuel mixture ratio and changing the cam. For better or worse a Turbo at that stage of development was out of the question, but we’ve thought of revisiting that issue in the future. We maintain, however, that the 420 horses produced by the engine is more than enough for our purposes. It maintains its low emission capabilities as well as its fuel efficiency. The combined nature of the engine’s power and the Lion’s lightweight shell allow for both excellent acceleration and fuel economy for a car of this nature, but more on that later.
Inside the Lion we find a sporty premium interior of the same high quality you will find in our other vehicles. You see they are a sporty black supple leather, white accented sides and golden silk stitching for race inspired bucket seats. It features a sporterized version of the 8.9 inch touchscreen infotainment system in a carbon fiber center console, provided by Mulholland/MAD. It features the full functionality that you find in the MYJ 400 with phone connectivity with hands free calling, messaging and more. It, of course, controls the AM/FM/XM radio with USB connectivity for independent audio devices with the same Bluetooth wireless connectivity and even built in expandable storage so your car always has your tunes. Fully adjustable climate control and Wi-Fi upgradeable navigation are, again controlled by the touch screen display.
Factory “Jianke” Sport-performance tires and 18inch alloy rims are standard, but upgradable to with to Zeke Zero R1, Pirelli P Zero, or Michelin Pilot Super Sport upon delivery with up to 21in OEM rims available. The engine transmits power to the rear wheels with a 7 gear DCT and electronic LSD allowing a 0-100km/h speed of just 4 seconds and to 120km/h in another 2 seconds up to a top speed of approximately 204MPH. Of course when you are ready to slow down, vented disc brakes at each wheel bring the Lion to a halt in just over 100ft with no fade. Don’t worry, however, if you just want to drive under the radar as the Lion returns a combined 31 US MPG. Amazing.
All of this can be yours for under $38,000! Be sure to be on the lookout for this vehicle in June, but feel free to place your orders now as we are sure this car will not sit on any lot for very long!
We are going to have a short intermission so that you may inspect the vehicles presented thus far. We’ll pick back up with Maria from FASE after the break. Thank you!
Awesome hype buildup!
And yeah, every manufacturer needs a sports program, even if it does not produce sportscars
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