The best new cars on Shanghai Motor Show 2011
For us Europeans, the biennial Auto Shanghai show used to be a mere blip on the motoring calendar. However, with China now the biggest emerging car market in the world, it gets more relevant with each passing year.
That's demonstrated by this year's line-up, which features a handful of world debuts that would stop a major European show in its tracks - including a brand new VW Beetle. Here are the sexiest new arrivals showing some eastern promise.
Volkswagen Beetle
Perhaps it's because Volkswagen couldn't wait any longer. At 13 years-old, the Beetle is officially the oldest new production car on sale in the UK. The styling of the new car isn't a radical departure, but the new Beetle is both more practical than the outgoing car (longer and wider), but also sportier (it's lower). The quality and dynamics have improved too - it has the clever 'XDS differential' from the Golf GTI for faster cornering.
When can I buy it?
The order books open in the summer, with first deliveries expected in early 2012. No prices yet, but expect them to start at around £14,000.
Citroen DS5
Why Shanghai?
The third model in Citroen's DS range, following the DS3 and DS4, is easily the most surprising. Far from being a smartened up C5 saloon, the DS5 is a big hatchback-cum-estate, reminiscent of the C-SportLounge concept of 2005. It's also Citroen's first ever diesel-hybrid, using the same HYbrid4 technology as sister company Peugeot. Here it has 200bhp and 99g/km of CO2, making the tax disc absolutely free.
When can I buy it?
Early 2012, meaning you can probably order one this summer. You'll be ordering blind, however, as there are no prices as yet. It should start at the £23,000 mark for a plain old diesel version, with the hybrid closer to £28,000.
Peugeot SxC concept
Why Shanghai?
It's appropriate the SxC is debuting in Shanghai because it was conceived and designed in China. SxC even means 'Shanghai Cross Concept'. Like many European carmakers, Peugeot is planning an assault on the Chinese market shortly, so has designed this China-only concept to woo millions of potential buyers.
When can I buy it?
There's no chance it will see UK showrooms. It's massive for a start - nearly five metres long - because it crosses a luxury saloon and an SUV. It boasts 22-inch wheels and Peugeot says it has 'a particularly vast passenger compartment'. Built in China, for China, where massive cars are still all the rage.
BMW Concept M5
The Concept M5 isn't the only world debut from Bavarian Motor Works in Shanghai, but it's by far the most interesting. Although BMW says it shows 'what a future M5 saloon might appear like,' it's basically the finished car.
When can I buy it?
'Early 2012' is what's scribbled next to 'M5' on BMW's big 'to do' list. We reckon it'll cost around £60,000 before options. That's getting a 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 petrol engine with around 580bhp, capable of pushing the M5 to 62mph in just over four seconds. Yikes.
BMW 6 Series Coupé
Like everyone else, BMW is upping the ante in China over the next few years, and it's bigger stuff like the 6- and 7 Series that will make it happen. As if to prove our earlier point about the Concept M5, the Concept 6 Series was unveiled at the 2010 Paris show and guess what - it looks almost identical to this production version. Which is to say very lovely indeed.
When can I buy it?
It goes on sale in the summer in two guises: the 640i with a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine and the 650i with a 4.4-litre V8 - exactly the same as the already launched Convertible version. Later on there'll be an M6, using the same twin turbo unit as the M5 will.
Audi Q3
It's been a good, oh, two weeks or so since Audi unveiled a new model. Any motor show is an excuse for Audi to add to its gargantuan roster of cars. The Q3 is quite traditional, for a new Audi, in that it's a small crossover in the BMW X1, posh Nissan Qashqai mould. It's very close to showrooms, too...
When can I buy it?
Orders start in June, with deliveries beginning in November, and it's priced from £25,000. That puts it a few hundred quid over the entry point for a BMW X1, but usefully less than a Range Rover Evoque. It can be had in fuel-saving front-wheel drive or ground conquering quattro four-wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class
Over two generations, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has remained unique - but not changed the small car game the way Mercedes perhaps thought it would. So, out goes the high-sided, mini-MPV shape we all know and in comes a low, sporty hatch, set to compete directly with the BMW 1 Series.
When can I buy it?
It will be at least 2012 before the new A-Class hits the showrooms, because this actually is a concept (not in the BMW sense). The Alcantara swathed, iPad-equipped dashboard is miles from what will be in the car you'll eventually be able to buy. Expect a £20,000 starting price.
MG Concept 5
Because long gone are the days when the Birmingham Motor Show was ten minutes from the doors of MG. That geographical distinction now goes to Shanghai. In the hands of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), MG debuts the MG5 concept hatchback. Smaller than the new MG6 and aimed squarely at the Ford Focus clan, the MG5 will be part Chinese, part Brummie, and hopefully cement the company's place back in the motoring consciousness.
When can I buy it?
Likely to be 2012, although with SAIC-owned MG still finding its feet, it can't turn cars around with the same speed and efficiency as its European counterparts yet - see the MG6 for details. Likely to start at around £12,000 though, putting it at the budget end of the market.
Source: Yahoo
