Along with the new V101 and V802, ChangAn also displayed the CV8 model, the company’s flagship.
The CV8 was unveiled last year at the Shanghai Motor Show. This saloon is powered by 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which delivers a power output of 150bhp. The equipment includes navigation system, electronic suspension and rear view camera.
ChangAn has unveiled two futures models at Beijing, a compact model called V802 and a saloon called V101.
The V802 will reinforce the company’s lineup by sitting between the CV6 and the larger CV8. The compact model is still a concept car but like the CV8 unveiled last year as a concept car, the V802 will likely hit the showrooms next year.
The V101 is a more conventional saloon due to take on established rivals such as the Buick Excelle or new contenders such as the SAIC-VW Lavida. This saloon is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol unit which delivers a power output of 95bhp and a torque output of 101 lb ft.
SAIC-VW joint venture has unveiled its first all-new vehicle the Lavida already reported by Petrol-Head.
At first glance, the Lavida is a well designed car although it won’t win any awards. Despite sharing its platform with VW model, the link with the German carmaker is hard to spot except with the front fascia. At 4,608 mm long, 1,743 mm wide and 1,465 mm high, the Lavida is a four-door saloon with similar dimensions to that of the Peugeot 407.
The interior is a bit better than the exterior styling thanks to a dashboard which combines wooden panels and Volkswagen wheels and buttons. However the overall shape takes its styling cues from the Ford Focus. With a 2,610 mm wheelbase the Lavida should be roomy enough for four people.
When the Lavida goes on sale in China this summer it will be powered by two four-cylinder engines that can be combined with a manual or a six-speed Tiptronic. The entry level will be powered by 1.6-litre while the topping engine will be a 2.0-litre. VW Shanghai’s saloon will be available in three trims, "Trendline", "Comfortline" and "Highline".
The base vehicle will be equipped with standard ABS, driver and front passenger airbags, climate control, MP3-capable CD-Radio, power windows and anti-theft warning system. The more luxurious versions "Comfortline" and "Highline" also get 16in alloy wheels, a chrome package, sliding sunroof, leather seats, side and head airbags, cruise control, parking sensors, automatic climate control system and CD changer.
BAW has a long tradition of building off-road vehicles, but this time, the carmaker has unveiled two new saloons in addition to the concept car B40.
BAW, short for Beijing Automobile Works started building Gaz G67 under licence then teamed up with Chrysler in the eighties to produce the Cherokee model. With such a heritage, the Chinese carmaker has decided to unveil the B40, a concept car which is a mix of the Jeep Renegade Concept seen at Detroit and a Jeep Wrangler. Details remain scarce although it is known the B40 is equipped with a GPS system.
What’s interesting about BAW is its strategic move to build saloons. The carmaker unveiled three cars at Beijing, the 700, the 700R and the 800.
The 700 is a conventional saloon and there is no doubt that it will be used as basis for a future model. Like all carmakers at the motor show, BAW also unveiled a hybrid version called 700R. The 700 is said to feature a engine range including 1.8-litre and 3.0-litre petrol engines.
Along with the 700, BAW displayed a larger saloon, simply called 800.
Great Wall has unveiled a small electric car similar to the G-Wiz at the Beijing Motor Show.
Generally, Great Wall engineers are taking their inspiration from Europe or Japan to design a new model. But this time, they probably thought that it was less risky to have a look across the border in India and came back with the G-Wiz as reference to develop an electric-powered city car.
Like the G-Wiz, the Kula is a two seater which is based on a shortened Peri’s platform. Technical details remain secret, but Great Wall claims the Kula achieves a top speed of 40mph and has a range of around 90 miles.
Great Wall hasn’t confirmed yet if the Kula would reach the production stage.
Here are the pictures of the most promising Chinese car, the Roewe 550 which is actually a former MG-Rover project.
This 550 is company’s first attempt to seriously take on the European models. The exterior styling is appealing while the interior has nothing to envy to European production. The dashboard might be a bit controversial, but is at least modern and nice to look at.
The 500 is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre issued from the MG-Rover collapse. SAIC hasn’t confirmed whether the 550 will be exported to Europe or not.
Ford has unveiled the Fiesta S at the Beijing Motor Show which is destined for the Chinese market.
Despite its moniker, the Fiesta unveiled at the Chinese motor show is not a sporty variant of the Fiesta unveiled at Geneva although the Chinese version comes with some sporty glitches such as a rear spoiler and a sportier exhaust pipe.
The Fiesta S will be built in a Mazda factory located in Nanjing as the Mazda 2 and the Ford Fiesta shares the same platform. Engine range remains unknown although it is believed that the Fiesta S will be powered by the same petrol engines as the European Fiesta.
The Chinese carmaker has unveiled the NL set to compete on the fast growing compact SUV market segment.
With dimensions similar to that of the Honda CR-V, the NL model will face a strong competition leaded by the Toyota RAV4. Geely chose to offer a wide range of engines. In addition to the 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol units shared with the GC saloon, the NL will also get two diesel engines in 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre versions. Power outputs remain unknown. Like the new in-house engines, the NL’s units will be compliant with the Euro V regulation.
The NL features a bold style which will likely meet a big success on the Chinese market but might be a stumbling block on the European market if Geely decides to sell in Europe.
Geely has also unveiled a van called CE that might preview a future model.
If the FC-2, FC-3 and the GC look ready for production, the GE cause concerns regarding its future production as the displayed vehicle looks like more design exercise. One does hope that the GE will increase its window surface when reaching the production stage.
Geely has announced that the GE will be powered by the 2.4-litre engine which will be featured in the new GC saloon.
Geely has unveiled a new flagship, a saloon called GC enabling the carmaker to cover another market segment.
If you didn’t take seriously Geely before the Beijing Motor Show, the Chinese carmaker has decided to change your mind by unveiling new models which cover all market segments. The new GC is set to compete with the executives saloons such as the Toyota Crown and the Brilliance BS6. At 4,900 mm long, the GC is close to production as the carmaker has revealed some technical details. The GC is powered by two four cylinder petrol engines. The entry level is a 2.0-litre while the top engine has a displacement of 2,400cc.
Geely has said whether the GC will be exported or not. One doesn’t expect it to reach our shores, but for emerging countries, the GC might be a good alternative to Korean models.
