Roewe 550 RS gets its performance garb on

Roewe, SAIC's premium brand which owns the tooling rights to the Rover 75 platform, has brought out a sporting variant of its compact sedan, dubbed the 550 RS. In keeping with Shanghai Motor Show tradition thus far, little is known about what lies beneath the hood of the RS, but with the standard 550 packing updated versions of either the 1.6- or 1.8-liter Rover K-series four-cylinders, we suspect the RS' "performance" mods are limited to the decklid wing, roof aerofoil, side skirts and the matte (or just unpainted plastic?) front clip.

Kia Soul Hybrid

At last year's Paris Motor Show, Kia showed off a version of the Soul equipped with a transparent hood and floorpan so show-goers could see the inner-workingings of the Korean automaker's hybrid drivetrain. Based on these photos of what appears to be mostly production-ready Kia Soul Hybrid at the Shanghai Motor Show, it seems the fuel-saver's date with the sales floor is getting ever closer. We wouldn't expect the two-tone paint scheme to make it past the concept stage (thankfully), but the important bits are all likely locked in.

Like the concept from Paris, this Soul Hybrid is equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder mated up with a 15kW electric motor. The dual powerplants send their ponies through a CVT transmission to the front wheels to offer up an estimated 48 miles per gallon and CO2 emissions of just 117 g/km – an improvement of over 26% in both categories.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Brilliance rolls out EV Concept

Chinese automaker Brilliance is showing off a new concept electric car that's currently on display at the Shanghai Motor Show. A large battery pack using lithium ion technology is reportedly capable of providing a range of around 93 miles (150 kilometers). The Chinese automaker claims that this battery can be hooked to a 220V charger that can use a "Quick Charge" feature to replenish the pack to about 80 percent in just 30 minutes.

Driving the rear wheels is a 47kW permanent magnet electric motor that puts out about 90 lb-ft of torque (120 NM) and is capable of revving to 10,000 RPM. But wait, there's more! A second electric motor powers the front wheels at speeds of around 25 miles per hour for city use. Top speed with both motors engaged is around 80 mph.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

How do you get a Porsche Panamera onto the 94th floor?

The day before the public unveiling of the Porsche Panamera at the Shanghai Motor Show, journalists were invited to the 94th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center in China to catch a glimpse of Stuttgart's first four-door sedan. Providing further proof that both the Germans and Chinese are a persistent bunch, a team of workers proceeded to strap the Panamera onto a special pallet, tipped it on its tail and wedged the dark silver metallic sedan into the freight elevator to make the 1,394-foot trek up the world's third-largest building.

Geely GE Limo

Asian consumers loves them some baroque styling. How else to explain the popularity of gaudy, over-the-top couture in the continent's major city centers? Indeed, how else to explain the existence of cars like the Mitsuoka Galue S50 and Galue 204? Proving that the love affair is still very much still alive is this, the Geely Excellence (GE) Limousine.

Despite the obvious aping of traditional Rolls-Royce styling cues (square-rigged waterfall grille, Spirit of Imitation Ecstasy hood ornament, wool carpets, etc.) there is some innovation here, in the form of the rear seat "throne," a kingly perch that forms the literal centerpoint of the car's unorthodox 1+2 seating arrangement.

In any case, the 17.5-foot Goliath is widely expected to be the first offering from Geely's new sub-brand, YingLun, or ENGLON (a melding of "England" and "London), but for the moment, the Chinese automaker is stopping short of confirming production.

[Source: Autoblog China]

Guangzhou Honda Linian roadster concept

Guangzhou Honda surprised everyone at the Shanghai show with this tidy little roadster, its second Linian concept in as many years. While the 2008 Beijing show concept was a more pedestrian five-door, this two-seat droptop has us wishing for a proper S2000 successor.

Oh, one can quibble over some of the design details (oversized grille element, the showcar-only airplane yoke-style steering wheel, etc.), but fundamentally this is an interesting package.

Sadly, according to our compatriots at Autoblog Simplified Chinese, Honda's domestic partner was mum on specifics, including driveline configuration, powerplant, and so on. That said, the shape does look quite production friendly. Add in a stronger windshield header, some larger mirrors, and do away with that Knight Rider steering wheel, and the rest seems plausible enough.

[Source: Autoblog Simplified Chinese]

Great Wall CHCO11 balances concept kit with production body

What may have started off as a Mercedes-Benz CLS clone quickly evolved into something slightly more original – assuming you view it from the front or rear. The Great Wall CHC011 is quite a departure for the Chinese automaker, primarily known for low-cost trucks and SUVs in its home market. In addition to going with an alphanumeric name that's all the rage in the west (bear in mind, this is the same company that gave us such gems as the Coolbear, Gwkulla and Socool) the CHC011 takes the popular "four-door coupe" aesthetic, throws in some highly stylized head- and tail-lamps, and adds a 3.0-liter V6, six-speed automatic transmission, adaptive cruise control, electronic stability control, eight air bags and a ten-way adjustable driver's seat. And with "executive seating" in the rear, you'll easy forget about the poorly proportioned wheels GW pilfered from Discount Tire.


[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Great Wall Hover H3

Great Wall has taken the wraps off this chunky, funky urban toughster, the Hover M3 (sorry, BMW). Reportedly based on the Scion xB-aping Coolbear, the production-bound M3 adds some faux off-road capability to the former vehicle's boxy proportions.

Even if it lacks genuine rock-hopping ability, the upright result of the added cladding, big fender flares, and larger front light fixtures gives the H3 added spunk and originality. Looking a bit like a cartoonist's narrow-gauge Dodge Nitro, we might nix the big chrome wing badge on the front grille, but otherwise, we could almost see this car playing in the States. If nothing else, the M3 is markedly more original than the Coolbear,

[Source: Autoblog Simplified Chinese]

Peugeot RD Concept

Last year at the Beijing Motor Show, Peugeot announced a contest for budding car designers asking them to "Imagine the Peugeot in the Worldwide Megalopolis of tomorrow." By all accounts, the contest was a success with over 2,500 entries. Carlos Arturo Torres Tovar, a 27-year-old designer from Columbia, has been named the winner, which comes with the prize of seeing his Peugeot RD concept design come to life as a full-size clay model, a check for 10,000 euros and an Xbox 360 game console.

Apparently, tomorrow's Peugeot will seat a single occupant, have three wheels and combine the ability to lean into turns like a motorcycle or scooter with the safety and security of a four-wheeled sedan. Of course, no auto concept for the future would be complete without an electric powertrain, and this one's no different. The concept is currently being shown at the Shanghai Motor Show.

[Source: Peugeot via World Car Fans]

Geely IG Fantastic Concept

If a local Chinese automaker wants to challenge the Smart, then they should do it with something like this, the Geely IG Fantastic (and not this, the Shuanghuan Bubble). It's kooky, and the headlights almost meet the taillights, but most importantly it's original. It also looks to be a three-seater with the driver sitting front and center, flanked by two seats behind. And there's only one door, on the passenger's side. Nifty, and we give it three cheers for Geely.

[Source: China Car Times]

Haima Fushida Me EV is too cute for gas

Haima Fushida, a joint venture between FAW and Mazda, has followed up its Fstar EV released at last year's Beijing Motor Show with this, the Me EV. According to the automaker, the Me features a set of high-performance brushless motors and a choice of two lithium-ion battery packs that can power the lil' tangerine EV between 100 and 120 miles and on to a top-speed of either 50 or 75 mph, respectively. A 220-volt power supply can supposedly recharge the Me in around four hours, and if it reaches production, the urban runabout with seating for two could be credible option for navigating Shanghai's increasing congested byways.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

2010 Audi Q7 gets minor rhinoplasty in China

So far, the Shanghai Motor Show has played host to the wild and mild. On the latter, Audi unveiled the 2010 Q7 to the assembled throngs in China, complete with a new nose, restyled rear and a few choice bits under the hood and inside the cabin.

The crown jewels on the Q7's refreshed fascia are a new set of LEDs that run from the top, around the side and then through the bottom of the headlamp housing. A reworked lower grille and fog-lamp mounts accompany a new hatch and more LEDs nestled within the taillights, while inside, there's more wood, some tweaked trim and a third-generation MMI infotainment system that (Audi-willing) will remain as intuitive as the current system. As for powertrains, the V6 and V8s currently available in the U.S. will carry over, but a new 3.0-liter TDI is coming, rated at 25 mpg and carrying a range of 600 miles when traveling on the express way

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Chang'An E301 Concept gets asymmetrical up in here

Chinese automaker Chang'An arrived at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show with this concept in hand: the E301 crossover. The Citroen-ish concept appears to eschew practicality for gratuitously outlandish design elements. For instance, the roofline extends to the back of the concept on one side only, leaving the other side with just a curved rear window. Giant wheels, upper and lower windows and gullwing doors suggest to us that the E301 will come and go as a concept only. Its fictional powertrain is apparently hybrid, at least according to the English writing on the rear of the concept that brands the vehicle as a "Fun Hybrid Concept". Still, if you want to know what Chinese designers do when there are no contraints,

Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Chang'An CD101 debuts, looks production-friendly

Chang'An Motors has rolled out its CD101 concept in Shanghai, and while we don't have much more than images to show you of this car yet, it could offer a glimpse as to what China's fourth largest automaker hopes to bring to the world's markets in the not-too-distant future.

Chang'An, Ford's Chinese-market partner, is understood to be one of the parties negotiating with the Blue Oval regarding a possible purchase of Volvo, and its officials have already gone on record saying that they are actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions in order to expand their global footprint, and the company has reportedly already signed a deal with Autopark Mexico to begin production of 50,000 units in Mexico next year. Could a production version of the CD101 be part of that expansionary initiative? Only time (and Chang'An spokespeople) will tell.

Sadly, we don't have any additional word on what sort of drivetrain lurks underneath the CD101's mid-size skin, but we'll be sure to pass along more details as they become available.

[Source: Autoblog Simplified Chinese]

Roewe MG6

Nevermind the sordid tale that led us to the point where a Chinese automaker debuts a new model for a storied British brand. Instead, just look at the Roewe MG6 and know that things seem to be working out. Based on the unassuming Roewe 550 sedan, which itself is based on a shortened version of the old Rover 75, the MG6 Turbo is a four-door fastback that will likely make its way to England as the first new model from the Chinese-owned automaker. The styling is reminiscent of the Lexus GS with an angular front end that highlights the big MG badge. Its sharp, attractive and more Euro-looking that in its Asian design roots might suggest.

While Rovers will never be called Rovers again thanks to SAIC failing to secure the naming rights when it purchased England's most famous failed automaker, the MG6 proves they aren't wasting the platforms.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Buick Regal 2.0T

Admittedly, Pink Floyd and Buick traditionally go together like asparagus and ice cream, but that hasn't stopped our inner-monologues from playing "Wish You Were Here" after seeing Buick's new Regal 2.0T.

According to our compatriots over at Autoblog Simplified Chinese, the Opel Insignia-based model features the company's 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine, tuned to give 162 kW of power (217 horsepower) and 350 Nm of torque (258 pound-feet). That's sufficient gusto to get the General Motors sedan to 62 mph in 7.7 seconds and on to a healthy top whack of 232 kmh (144 mph).

Fuel economy? Well, that's a good question. Our counterparts in China cryptically point to a figure of 7.2-liters per 90 km (the standard metric is per 100 km), so we'll have to get back to you on that.

The new Regal 2.0T is expected to join Buick's Chinese lineup in the second half of 2009.

[Source: Autoblog Simplified Chinese]

Mercedes-Benz unveils S63 and S65 AMG at Shanghai show

After accidentally leaking a preview on its home-market configuration website last week, Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled its revised flagship luxo-muscle sedans, the S63 AMG and S65 AMG, at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show today. Both are treated to the same updates given to the entire S-Class range, but these two big beasts pack one seriously mean punch.

Engines carry over largely unchanged from the outgoing models, which is good news because they're some of the most powerful units on the market. The S63 packs AMG's 6.2-liter V8 offering up 525 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, while the top-of-the-line, have-to-have-the-best S65 AMG (above) features an enormous 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 pumping out 612 horsepower and a gravity-altering 738 lb-ft of torque. That's a lot of power, but at nearly $200k, the $130k S63 seems like a relative bargain, especially when you consider that the bi-turbo V12 model only gains 0.2 seconds off the V8's 0-60 time.

Although the engines are ostensibly the same, they've been tweaked to improve fuel consumption and carbon emissions by about 3%. They're also both mated to a new Torque Vectoring system that brakes the inside rear wheel in a corner to assist handling, plus a crosswind compensation system. Visually the AMG sedans get a new chromed-up angular grille, LED daytime running lights in the air intakes, full LED tail-lights incorporating 52 LEDs apiece, and a redesigned rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, plus all the requisite special badging and wheels.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz, Autoblog Chinese]

Geely GT returns as Tiger, complete with interior and working doors!

The Geely GT Concept stole the show at last year's Beijing Auto Show, mostly because it stood out as one of the few Chinese designs that wasn't a Xerox copy of something sold elsewhere in the world. Geely designers walked out on a limb with their pens and created a truly unique shape with interesting details, and regardless what you think of the result, at the very least it drew praise for being an original Chinese design.

As we reported earlier, Geely has brought the GT Concept back for this year's Shanghai Auto Show, this time with a complete working interior and butterfly doors (the original was just a shell). This suggests that the car is slowly marching towards production as the Chinese automaker works out engineering issues and again judges the reaction it receives at this year's show. Should the GT reach Chinese showrooms, it will likely be called the Tiger (its current name actually stands for "Geely Tiger"). The question now is whether or not Geely will give its unique coupe some claws.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Roewe N1 continues to advance concept of credible Chinese design

Chinese automakers have been on the receiving end of barbs for some time now, particularly when it comes to styling. In terms of both originality and proportion, most Sino automakers have struggled to find both balance and identity, but among them, SAIC Roewe has been able to build on its Rover roots and churn out some rather attractive designs. Case in point: The N1. Now showing in Shanghai for the first time, the N1 sedan is quite well resolved from most angles, and its design is widely expected to make it into production unscathed. That the car's styling jibes with Western sensibilities is important, because the company plans to roll a production N1 out not just to domestic audiences next year, but likely to European audiences a short time later.

Unlike some previous Roewe offerings, the N1 sits on a new chassis, but it will reportedly still rely on updated versions of the British automaker's K-series four-cylinder powerplants.

Inside, the N1 is rather more ambitious, featuring a touch-screen interface with full-on internet connectivity, a "3D" digital gauge cluster, and a navigation system based on open-source coding. The car's high-tech dashboard gubbins are likely to remain a showcar-only detail for the next few years, however.

[Source: Autoblog Simplified Chinese]

Buick's handsome new MPV concept is all business

General Motors has unveiled its new Buick "Business" MPV concept in Shanghai, and while details remain scarce as we try to practice our Chinese, we can tell you that while the idea of another Buick minivan may be hard for U.S. audiences to swallow (after the poor sales and driving experience of the Terraza), Buick MPVs do a very solid trade in China as executive transports. Thus, instead of prioritizing sippy cup storage, this is clearly more of a high-roofed luxury limousine.

Our compatriots over at Autoblog Chinese (who bring you these images) tell us that this vehicle is the result of a joint-venture between General Motors China and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, as was the 2007 Rivera concept before it. If our Google translator is to be believed, this vehicle is still based on the Buick GL8 (read: Terraza), and the "land-based business class" concept is designed to point the way toward future visions of Buick luxury for customers in the land of the Great Wall.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]