The Beijing Motor Show 2014 promises an exciting selection of production and concept car launches - here's the latest news
The Beijing Motor Show 2014, otherwise known as the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, is one of the most important dates in the motoring calendar.
It's especially important for the manufacturers, as China is a very important market, but there are plenty of new models that are set to be on display at the show, and we'll be bringing you the latest news from the show floor.
New models at the show include the already-revealed Audi Q4 concept, Peugeot's Exalt coupe, the stylish Citroen DS5 LS Rand a Bentley Hybrid concept.
Read on for more details on each big model at the Beijing Motor Show 2014, and make sure you bookmark this page for all the latest news from China.
New models at the show include the already-revealed Audi Q4 concept, Peugeot's Exalt coupe, the stylish Citroen DS5 LS Rand a Bentley Hybrid concept.
Read on for more details on each big model at the Beijing Motor Show 2014, and make sure you bookmark this page for all the latest news from China.
Beijing Motor Show 2014: the big car launches
Audi Q4 concept
We haven’t had official confirmation but we’re fairly certain thesesketches of Audi’s new crossover concept preview the forthcoming Q4. The sporty SUV seen here builds on the Allroad Shooting Brake concept shown at the Detroit Motor Show in January, sharing the TT-inspired looks.
Inside the five-door concept, Audi has gone for a 2+2 set-up with the rear seats capable of folding down at least partially. Controls are focused on the wheel, freeing up the dash for a cleaner look and suggesting a driver-oriented experience.
Power is expected to come from an e-tron plug-in hybrid system that’ll drive all four wheels, although Audi has remained tight-lipped on performance figures.
Inside the five-door concept, Audi has gone for a 2+2 set-up with the rear seats capable of folding down at least partially. Controls are focused on the wheel, freeing up the dash for a cleaner look and suggesting a driver-oriented experience.
Power is expected to come from an e-tron plug-in hybrid system that’ll drive all four wheels, although Audi has remained tight-lipped on performance figures.
Lexus NX 4x4
Lexus has only recently revealed how the production NX will look when the premium compact SUV debuts at Beijing. The Audi Q5 and Range Rover Evoque rival is based on the bold LF-NX concept we saw at last year’s Frankfurt and Tokyo motor shows.
The NX may retain the large spindle grille and aggressive split headlights inspired by IS F Sport saloon, but the concept’s radical styling appears to have been toned down slightly. It’s still visually striking though, and will be available with three powertrains, including a hybrid capable of around 65mpg.
Designed to slot below the next-generation RX in the Lexus line-up, prices are expected to start from around £30,000 when it goes on sale later this autumn.
Bentley Hybrid concept
Based on the Mulsanne saloon, this Bentley Hybrid concept previews the plug-in hybrid powertrain that will debut in Bentley’s forthcoming SUV from 2017 before making its way across the range.
Bentley hasn’t been forthcoming with numbers, but official hints claim an increase in power of 25 percent and a drop in CO2 emissions of 70 percent. This would see the Mulsanne’s regular 505bhp 6.75-litre V8 engine manage 631bhp whilst emitting just 118g/km of CO2. The concept will also manage at least 31 miles on electric power alone before the engine kicks in.
Marking the Hybrid concept Mulsanne is copper detailing on the headlamps, brake calipers and badgers, with further copper used to style the interior.
Bentley hasn’t been forthcoming with numbers, but official hints claim an increase in power of 25 percent and a drop in CO2 emissions of 70 percent. This would see the Mulsanne’s regular 505bhp 6.75-litre V8 engine manage 631bhp whilst emitting just 118g/km of CO2. The concept will also manage at least 31 miles on electric power alone before the engine kicks in.
Marking the Hybrid concept Mulsanne is copper detailing on the headlamps, brake calipers and badgers, with further copper used to style the interior.
Citroen DS 5LS R
Another Chinese-market model unlikely ever to be sold in the UK, the Citroen DS 5LS R is a fast front-wheel drive compact saloon developed in the mould of the Audi S3 Saloon.
A production model hasn’t yet been confirmed, but the concept shares the Peugeot RCZ-R’s 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, tuned to increase power by 30bhp. The DS 5LS R therefore has a round 300bhp to go with the 400Nm of torque.
Citroen has also lowered the suspension 15mm, widened the front tracks and added bigger brakes. There’s a rally-style sequential gearbox as well, controlled by paddles fixed behind the steering wheel.
A production model hasn’t yet been confirmed, but the concept shares the Peugeot RCZ-R’s 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, tuned to increase power by 30bhp. The DS 5LS R therefore has a round 300bhp to go with the 400Nm of torque.
Citroen has also lowered the suspension 15mm, widened the front tracks and added bigger brakes. There’s a rally-style sequential gearbox as well, controlled by paddles fixed behind the steering wheel.
Honda ‘CR-Z’ compact sport coupe concept
The artistic rendering seen here leaves us with a lot of questions, including what this compact sport coupe will be called. It previews a China-only production model possibly intended as a replacement for the CR-Z.
Distinguishing features include the massive five-spoke alloys, heavily-vented front bumper, and a slatted grille that appears to flow into the headlights. It also looks set to share the CR-Z’s sleek profile, wide hips and sculpted flanks.
Distinguishing features include the massive five-spoke alloys, heavily-vented front bumper, and a slatted grille that appears to flow into the headlights. It also looks set to share the CR-Z’s sleek profile, wide hips and sculpted flanks.
Citroen DS X7
The DS X7 is Citroen’s response to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, based on the Wild Rubis concept unveiled at last year’s Shanghai Motor Show. The premium SUV has been developed primarily for the Chinese market, although it may find its way to UK showrooms as well.
As you can see, the solitary teaser image doesn’t give much away, but the bulging rear section does resemble that of the concept, save for the revised taillights. Dimensions are also likely to mimic those of the Wild Rubis and – according to reports – three petrol engines will be available at launch.
Prices are expected to start from 160,000 yuan (£15,400) when the DS 7X goes on sale in China later this year, rising to 200,000 (£19,300) for top-of-the-range models.
As you can see, the solitary teaser image doesn’t give much away, but the bulging rear section does resemble that of the concept, save for the revised taillights. Dimensions are also likely to mimic those of the Wild Rubis and – according to reports – three petrol engines will be available at launch.
Prices are expected to start from 160,000 yuan (£15,400) when the DS 7X goes on sale in China later this year, rising to 200,000 (£19,300) for top-of-the-range models.
Peugeot EXALT concept
The Peugeot EXALT concept has been developed to provide an insight into Peugeot’s future design language. It picks up where last year’s Onyx concept left off, featuring chiseled panels, a long bonnet and short rear overhangs.
Links to current production cars can be seen in the headlamps and front grille, and the Exalt also uses a development of the minimalistic i-Cockpit interior layout first seen in the 308 hatchback.
The concept also incorporates Peugeot’s next-generation Hybrid4 powertrain, which develops a total of 335bhp through the combination of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a rear axle-mounted electric motor.
Links to current production cars can be seen in the headlamps and front grille, and the Exalt also uses a development of the minimalistic i-Cockpit interior layout first seen in the 308 hatchback.
The concept also incorporates Peugeot’s next-generation Hybrid4 powertrain, which develops a total of 335bhp through the combination of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a rear axle-mounted electric motor.
BMW ‘9-Series’ luxury saloon concept
Rumours abound that BMW will preview a new flagship model with a 9-Series concept at the Beijing show. Nothing official has been confirmed yet, but according to reports it’ll be a more refined version of the next 7-Series, offering more space and tech in a bid to rival the Mercedes S-Class.
Mercedes Concept Coupe SUV
The Mercedes Concept Coupe may be a concept, but it previews a very real production car likely to be badged MLC and set to rival the BMW X6 from 2015.
Technical details are currently few and far between ahead of its Beijing debut, but as you can see the wide front grille, slim headlights and converging creases on the flanks echo the GLA-class. This picture also shows a drastically plunging roofline, underlining the coupe-SUV fusion alluded to by the concept’s name.
Technical details are currently few and far between ahead of its Beijing debut, but as you can see the wide front grille, slim headlights and converging creases on the flanks echo the GLA-class. This picture also shows a drastically plunging roofline, underlining the coupe-SUV fusion alluded to by the concept’s name.
Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge
The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept has featured on the Infiniti stand at a number of recent motor shows, and each time it seems to take yet another step towards reality.
For Beijing there’ll be a film featuring four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel testing the Eau Rouge in his capacity as Infiniti’s Director of Performance.
The Red Bull driver’s feedback is set to help the next stage of development, which involves “testing component, packaging and viability.” We already know the 552bhp flagship Q50 will share the Nissan GT-R’s 3.8-litre twin turbo V6, with all four wheels powered via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
For Beijing there’ll be a film featuring four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel testing the Eau Rouge in his capacity as Infiniti’s Director of Performance.
The Red Bull driver’s feedback is set to help the next stage of development, which involves “testing component, packaging and viability.” We already know the 552bhp flagship Q50 will share the Nissan GT-R’s 3.8-litre twin turbo V6, with all four wheels powered via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Volkswagen Golf R Evo
An inside source has claimed we’ll also see a stripped-out version of the range-topping Golf at Beijing, expected to be called the R Evo.
The superhot-hatch will use drastic weight saving measures to slash the standard R’s 1,476kg kerbweight. Features will include lower suspension, a massive rear spoiler, and a roll cage in place of the rear seats.
When combined with a slightly tuned version of the Golf R’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which currently generated 296bhp and 380Nm of torque. A four-wheel drive Golf R Evo fitted with VW’s six-speed DSG should manage 0-62mph in around 4.6 seconds.
We expect it to presented as a concept initially, with a production model launched early next year for a little over £30,000.
The superhot-hatch will use drastic weight saving measures to slash the standard R’s 1,476kg kerbweight. Features will include lower suspension, a massive rear spoiler, and a roll cage in place of the rear seats.
When combined with a slightly tuned version of the Golf R’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which currently generated 296bhp and 380Nm of torque. A four-wheel drive Golf R Evo fitted with VW’s six-speed DSG should manage 0-62mph in around 4.6 seconds.
We expect it to presented as a concept initially, with a production model launched early next year for a little over £30,000.
Lamborghini Aventador Nazionale
If a Chinese debut for the new Huracan wasn’t enough, Lamborghini is also planning on showing off an Aventador Nazionale at Beijing.
According to a statement from the Italian manufacturer, the special edition is a “highly exclusive and appealing configuration” created by Ad Personam, Lamborghini’s personalisation programme that allows customers to design their own made-to-order supercar.
It’ll feature the standard Aventador’s 690bhp 6.5-litre V12 engine, offering the same 2.9 second 0-62mph time and maxing out 217mph.
Lamborghini President Stephan Winkelmann emphasised how important the Chinese market is to the company: “We entered China in 2005 and for us today in terms of sales China represents the second largest market in the world.”
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