Autoblog

Maximum Bob talks about Invicta and how not to rebadge cars

John Neff — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:34:00 EST

Click above for high-res gallery of the Buick Invicta Concept

GM Vice Chairman Bob "Maximum" Lutz published a new post today on the corporate GM Fastlane Blog that addresses the automaker's newest concept that debuted recently at Auto China 2008 in Beijing: the Invicta. The concept heavily hints at what the next-generation Buick LaCrosse will look like, but Bob points out that the global architecture underpinning the vehicle will be the basis of new cars for Chevy, Saab, Opel/Vauxhall and more. In the past, we would've expected those accompanying models to be rebadged versions with different grilles, headlights and taillights, but Bob explains how GM's new global platform sharing process is different than the rebadging of old. In a nutshell, he says that the money saved from sharing common platforms see will be put into making everything that customer's will see - exterior and interior design, specifically - completely different. While it's great to hear Bob talk about how GM finally "gets it" when it comes to producing common products across an empire of brands, it's something that other automakers like VW/Audi have been doing for years while the General kept feeding us "triplets" of every model it made. So kudos to GM for finally getting it, but it took 'em long enough.

Gallery: Buick Invicta Concept

[Source: GM FastLane blog]

Maximum Bob talks about Invicta and how not to rebadge cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 May 2008 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Chinese wraps up 2008 Beijing Motor Show

John Neff — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Misc. Auto Shows

We're proud as peacocks of our blogging brothers at Autoblog Chinese who, in blogging parlance, tore the 2008 Beijing Motor Show a new one. We showed you just a sampling of the dozens of cars they covered at the show, as the team from China truly left no rotating turntable unturned. If you want even more Auto China 2008 coverage, just click on one of four wrap-up pages below and don't stop until you've seen every clone, concept and production car that was unveiled in Beijing last week. You may not be able to understand the language they're speaking, but the pictures more than get the point across.

AB Chinese: Wrap-up 1
AB Chinese: Wrap-up 2
AB Chinese: Wrap-up 3
AB Chinese: Wrap-up 4

Our favorites of the show were the Buick Invicta Concept, Geely Tiger GT Concept, Beijing 700R Concept and Honda's Li Nian Concept.

Autoblog Chinese wraps up 2008 Beijing Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Hyundai debuts facelifted Elantra

John Neff — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, China, Hyundai

Click above to view high-res gallery of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra in China

As we learned last week, Hyundai used the occasion of Auto China in Beijing to debut its slightly refreshened Elantra. Its face now features a wider grille flanked by larger headlights, and a new lower air intake has also been reshaped. The overall effect is that the Elantra's friendly face has been been given a healthy dose of attitude. Likewise, the Elantra's rear also gets reshaped and loses its bulbous butt complex. We do expect these design updates to eventually reach the U.S.-market Elantra, as well as some new interior niceties like improved connectivity for digital music devices. As for when that will happen, your guess is as good as ours.

Gallery: 2008 Hyundai Elantra (Chinese)

Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Elantra

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Beijing 2008: Hyundai debuts facelifted Elantra originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: 1st Bugatti Veyron in China sells for $3.6m

Noah Joseph — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: China, Supercars, Bugatti, Misc. Auto Shows

Click to view the Bugatti Veyron's unveiling in Beijing

If you were looking for the new epitome of capitalism's slow-but-steady takeover of communism in China, we've got it for you right here. Bugatti brought its million-euro hyper-car this year to the Auto China show in Beijing, drawing hoards of spectators in its appropriate bright red paint job. What's more is that within two hours of the car's debut, Bugatti had already sold one.

The customer will fly to Bugatti's Molsheim headquarters to pick out the color scheme and options (apparently no one told him he could do it online), and pay a whopping 25 million yuan (approximately $3.6 million, more than twice the sticker price) for the privilege of owning the first Veyron in China. Mao who?

Click on the images below and the press release after the jump for more on the Veyron's unveiling in Beijing.

Gallery: Beijing 2008: Bugatti Veyron

[Source: Bugatti and Gasgoo]

Continue reading Beijing 2008: 1st Bugatti Veyron in China sells for $3.6m

Beijing 2008: 1st Bugatti Veyron in China sells for $3.6m originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: From Jeep clones to this? Beijing 700R concept

Alex Nunez — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, China, Misc. Auto Shows

It turns out that the Geely GT didn't corner the market on coupe concepts at Auto China 2008. Beijing Automotive -- whose Wrangler-style B40 you saw earlier -- is also on the case with its 700R coupe concept, a clean and attractive design with some interesting details. An accent line angles upward, merging with muscular rear haunches, giving the car a nice, aggressive presence. In front, knifelike headlamps; stylized, outboard air intakes; and a teensy main grille slit come together to give the car a good face. Out back, a similar motif finishes the car off, and the result is very attractive overall.

Of course, it'll probably never be anything more than vaporware, but generally speaking, it makes you wonder what on Earth goes on in the boardrooms of Chinese car companies. If they have the ability to deliver clean, original designs like this, then why bother copycatting at all? The mind reels. Until originality in this vein is the norm, the phrase "Chinese car" will remain a punchline. Too bad, because stylewise, this 700R concept is no joke.

Gallery: Beijing 700R

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Beijing 2008: From Jeep clones to this? Beijing 700R concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Land Wrangler? It's the Beijing B40!

Alex Nunez — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, China, Jeep, Land Rover, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the Beijing B40

The basic Jeep shape has essentially carried forward from World War II to the present day. It has also been replicated many times over by automakers scattered around the world, and variations on the theme continue to appear. The Chinese auto industry has never been shy about (ahem) "borrowing", and Beijing Automotive has come through with one of the "better" quasi-clones we've seen so far. The B40 is obviously Jeep Wrangler-inspired, but rather than ape the Jeep's signature front end, the B40 instead sports a more Land Rover-ish look (think LR2/Freelander 2). And you know what? It's actually kind of interesting to look at.

The interior is gussied up with contrast-stitched leather seats, a nav system, and a steering wheel that looks like it's been ripped from a modern Opel. The wheels are OEM Jeep knock-offs. One thing that jumps out at us is the door handles -- they're a flat style, similar to the ones Jeep used before switching to the circular push-button handles on the current JK Wranglers. We really like that old look better. Anyway, back to the B40 -- the only technical info Autoblog Chinese has is that it's powered by a gasoline engine. Offroad prowess is unknown, as is its production status, but at least we know what a Wrangler/Freelander love child might look like.

UPDATE: As has been pointed out in the comments, Beijing Auto is the current name of the automaker once known as the joint venture, Beijing Jeep. (Stands up, ready to catch javelins.) As such, this is in all likelihood derived from actual Wrangler mechanicals. As one commenter theorizes, if the nomenclature is related to the actual powertrain, this may well have the old 4.0L I6 underhood. You know -- the one you can't get in the USDM Wrangler anymore.

Gallery: Beijing B40

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

Beijing 2008: Land Wrangler? It's the Beijing B40! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Brilliance BS4 wagon is good looking... no BS!

Alex Nunez — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, China, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the Brilliance BS4 Wagon

The Brilliance BS4 sedan is a pretty good-looking car, so it stands to reason that its wagon variant would be easy on the eyes as well. Unveiled in Beijing, the BS4 wagon is indeed a snazzy-looking, ostensibly practical machine. Power comes from a 1.8L Mitsubishi G93 four-cylinder making 134 hp (100 kW) at 6500 rpm. The BS4 wagon also comes equipped with an alphabet soup of safety feature acronyms like "ABS + EBD + EDS" but word association games involving "Brilliance" and "safety" only call to mind the BS6 Euro NCAP debacle (since corrected, allegedly... but still). The bad news continues, as a recent Inside Line review of the BS4 sedan concluded that the car was generally lackluster at best. Based on that, we can probably assume that the same shortcomings afflict the wagon. It does look nice, at least.

Gallery: Brilliance BS4 Wagon

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Beijing 2008: Brilliance BS4 wagon is good looking... no BS! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Volkswagen Lavida meets its home audience

Alex Nunez — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Lavida for China

Shanghai Volkswagen developed the new VW Lavida in China, for China. Now it's made its big debut before the home-market audience in Beijing. Stylistically, the made-in-China design looks oddly dated, quite frankly. The petal-shaped head- and taillamps look like something you might find on a 1990's Korean import and not a newly-minted VW, regardless of origin.

The Lavida's positioned below the new VW Bora (also introduced in Beijing), with a shorter overall length (around 3 inches) but an identical wheelbase, so passenger comfort should be around the same as the larger car. The interior is a blend of familiar VW partsbin stuff with elements that just seem a little odd-looking in a VeeDub, like the silver audio head unit and the silver HVAC knobs set against a healthy dose of woodgrain trim. Power comes from 4-cylinder engines displacing 1.6L or 2.0L, with a six-speed Tiptronic available to handle shifting duties. It may be all-new, but it's also pretty boring.

Gallery: Volkswagen Lavida

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Beijing 2008: Volkswagen Lavida meets its home audience originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Nissan unveils new Teana and Teana XV

John Neff — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the Nissan Teana and Teana XV

Back in October of last year, Nissan unveiled the Intima concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. The large front-wheel-drive sedan previewed the styling for the new Teana (above, dark) and more luxurious Teana XV (above, light) that Nissan and its Chinese joint-venture partner Dongfeng debuted at the Auto China show in Beijing. The connection between concept and production vehicle is strong here, with the windswept front fasica, large greenhouse, and kink at the bottom of the C-pillar coming over intact. The flush grille, LED headlamps and suicide doors, however, did not.

The Teana will have a strong link to the western world thanks to the platform on which it rides, which is also shared with the Altima, Maxima and Murano. Power is provided by Nissan's award-winning 3.5L VQ V6 engine, which is mated to a CVT transmission for the Chinese. It appears that a bevy of 2.0 and 2.5L four-cylinder powerplants will also be available when the car goes on sale in late Summer.

Make no mistake, the Teana is a large, luxurious front-wheel-drive sedan, just like the current Maxima here in the U.S. It even features such niceties as a BOSE 5.1-channel surround sound system and Nissan's panoramic sunroof in the XV version.
Check out more pics of the new Nissan Teana in the gallery below.

Gallery: Nissan Teana and Teana XV

Gallery: Nissan Intima concept

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Beijing 2008: Nissan unveils new Teana and Teana XV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geely TX4 LTC show car turns London taxi into hot rod. Sort of.

Alex Nunez — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, China, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for a gallery of the Geely TX4 LTC

Geely builds the LTI TX4 under license, and naturally, it's showing off the popular London taxi at its display in Beijing. The standard TX4's kind of vanilla though, so to grab showgoers' attention, the automaker has also plopped an electric blue "hot rod" version called the TX4 LTC in its display, as well. It might more appropriately described as a "not rod", since the TX4's stock 2.4L Euro IV-compliant diesel remains underhood. For maximum visual effect, Geely appears to have raided the Chinese equivalent of a Pep Boys, adding a faux dual exhaust, bolting on truck running boards and fitting six-spoke wheels that might be just a smidge oversized. Call us crazy, but it looks like turning could become a bit of an adventure.

Inside, the passenger compartment gets a white interior and possibly some stereo upgrades along with a nice photo of Big Ben on the bulkhead. You might be stifling a giggle, but compared to some of the vehicular insanity that's showed up at previous years' Chinese auto shows, the TX4 LTC is almost boring, and even with that stock engine, lead-footed hacks can probably still smoke Geely Beauty Leopard drivers at red lights. Just don't take the bait and follow them into the twisties -- you might run into some issues.

Gallery: Geely TX4 LTC

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Geely TX4 LTC show car turns London taxi into hot rod. Sort of. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Roewe 550 debuts, still good lookin'

John Neff — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Misc. Auto Shows, Roewe

Click above for high-res gallery of the Roewe 550

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation debuted the Roewe 550 over the weekend at the Auto China show in Beijing, and it joins the 750 in a lineup that was designed and engineered entirely in Britain. For those who don't remember the story, a little history lesson might be in order. SAIC fought long and hard against cross-town Chinese rival Nanjing for the right to purchase the bankrupt English automotive brand Rover. SAIC won the battle, but didn't secure the rights to the Rover name. Hence, Roewe was born and the 750 debuted as a rebadged version of the Rover 75. The Roewe 550, however, is its own car with a design that doesn't carry forward any obvious cues from Rover. Based on a shortened version of the Rover 75 platform, the 550 was reportedly being developed before MG Rover bit the dust in 2005, and SAIC has made sure to keep the car palatable to European tastes as it plans to sell the 550 in Europe eventually.

The 550 features a clean and tasteful exterior design, though some at the show note its interior isn't made of the highest quality materials. We do, however, like the digital gauge cluster that wraps around the analog tach, as well as the flush nav screen. The 550's available engines, however, are not as impressive and include the same 1.8T and 1.6L K-Series four-cylinders, as well as a 2.0L diesel, that were sold in Rovers before the company collapsed. Autocar points out it's also possible that the 550 could be badged as an MG in Europe, as SAIC recently bought its rival Nanjing, which settled for buying the MG name when it lost the bid to own Rover's assets.

Check out the new Roewe 550 in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Roewe 550 - Live Shots

Gallery: Roewe 550

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Ibiza Wang / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese, Autocar]

Beijing 2008: Roewe 550 debuts, still good lookin' originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Geely CE concept makes its debut

Alex Nunez — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, China, Hatchback, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the Geely CE

Ok, the Geely car parade at Beijing is officially in full swing. One of the good-looking renderings we posted during the runup to the show was of the CE concept, a small hatchback that looked like it could just as easily be an Acura that's slumming in the entry-level class. In the metal, it looks pretty much exactly like the rendering -- a well-styled little Acura 5-door hatch. Only that's the Geely badge on that shield-shaped grille. It It is better-looking than any of Geely's current market offerings, and that's about all there is to say, because we have neither interior shots nor technical details to flesh things out any further. As such, we'll treat it as a styling exercise that's likely got Honda/Acura designers grumbling under their breath, and Chinese showgoers and (potential car-buyers) nodding approvingly.

Gallery: Geely CE Concept

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]
All photos Copyright (C)2007 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

Beijing 2008: Geely CE concept makes its debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 208: Geely Tiger GT concept steals the show

John Neff — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the Geely Tiger GT concept

Of all the cars being debuted at this year's Auto China show in Beijing, most of them are from one company: Chinese domestic automaker Geely. The brand has over 20 some debuts, but most are ho-hum little econoboxes that Chinese consumers are buying by the ton right now. The Tiger GT concept, however, is one vehicle from Geely that's getting a lot of attention for a different reason. It's an all-Chinese design concept, and as you can clearly see, looks like nothing else on the road. Whether or not that's a good or bad thing is up to you, but Geely makes no apologizes for new coupe concept that takes its basic shape from the Italian school of design and adds some unmistakable Chinese touches. As described by our blogging buddies at Autoblog Chinese, "the front is extremely arrogant." Indeed. They liken the grille to a Chinese mask and we wouldn't be surprised to find a sword rack hanging in the back window.

The Tiger GT is reportedly powered by a 3.5L V6 producing 225 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. Riding on 19-inch concept wheels, the concept's motor would appear to have a hard time backing up the shear loudness of the coupe's design. It's got chrome fangs, for Pete's sake. Love it or hate it, the Geely Tiger GT concept is at least original, and as our colleagues in China tell us, that alone is worthy of applause.

Check out our full high-res gallery of the Geely Tiger GT below and let us know what you think in the comments.

Gallery: Geely Tiger GT Concept

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese, Straightline Blog]

Beijing 208: Geely Tiger GT concept steals the show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: HongQi SUV concept doesn't look like a photochopped MKT

Alex Nunez — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:43:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, China, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for a high-res gallery of the HonQi SUV

FAW's premium HonQi (Red Flag) division has unveiled its V12 luxury SUV concept in Beijing. While photoshopped images based on the Lincoln MKT concept surfaced on a Chinese website ahead of the show, the actual vehicle on display looks nothing like those. It is, in fact, a unique design. HonQi, you might recall, will put the 6.0L V12 engine into production next year and have it power the production HQE limousine, a Rolls-Royce Phantom doppelganger that all the party big shots are sure to be seen in. In the SUV, the engine is said to produce 402 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque.

The SUV concept sports more gills and slats in front than a Porsche Cayenne, and the styling incorporates features meant to appeal specifically to the Chinese audience. The nose is highlighted by the "Tiananmen Square"-shaped grille (we're guessing the appeal of this may vary) and the head- and taillamps are shaped like ancient Chinese Ge weapons. Aside from the extremely pronounced front fender arches, the truck's overall shape is pretty conventional, and the HonQi SUV isn't going to win many beauty awards. Inside, light-colored leather and lots of blue lighting are the main themes, and the entire center stack appears to be an LCD touch panel that's typical of the fantasy equipment automakers love to show in concept vehicles. A roof-mounted rearview camera sends pictures of the view aft onto a video screen for the driver in lieu of a traditional mirror. We wouldn't expect to see a production version (if there even is one planned) until sometime after the HQE jumbo sedan arrives in 2009.

Gallery: Beijing 2008: HonQi SUV Concept

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

Beijing 2008: HongQi SUV concept doesn't look like a photochopped MKT originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Guangzhou Honda's Linian concept shows where new brand is headed

Alex Nunez — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, China, Hatchback, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Linian concept

Last Summer, we told you how Guangzhou Honda planned to develop a separate, China-only brand. Today in Beijing, the first step in that direction is on display in the form of the Linian concept. Specifics are hard to come by, but according to Autoblog Chinese, the car here is representative of what we can expect to see when the new spinoff brand launches in 2010. Look for a full range of vehicles, likely including something very much like the 5-door you see here. In terms of styling, the Linian is extremely reminiscent of Ford Europe's "kinetic design" philosophy, but its "gaping maw" grille is even bigger than the Ford Verve's. While the nose might not be to everyone's tastes, the rest of the car's a solid-looking effort with a nice stance to it. And it's likely on its way to the Chinese market, backed by all the know-how Guangzhou Honda's gleaned from building Hondas. The question is, will it be a Chinese car built to Honda-like standards, or just another Chinese car -- one built by people who also happen to build Hondas?

Gallery: Guangzhou Honda Linian concept

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

Beijing 2008: Guangzhou Honda's Linian concept shows where new brand is headed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Citroen C2 Kappa jogs onstage

Alex Nunez — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, China, Hatchback, Misc. Auto Shows, Citroën

Click image for a high-res gallery of the C2 Kappa

Now that the 2008 Beijing Motor Show is underway, we're getting a chance to see how a lot of those sketches and renderings we saw ahead of the festivities translate into actual cars. One of the concepts we were curious about was the collaborative effort between Citroën and sports apparel maker Kappa. Not only is the red-and-white C2 Kappa concept faithful to the drawing released last month, it's also pretty cool.

The C2 Kappa is lowered and fully kitted, sporting a unique front fascia that tones down the base car's oversized headlamps and adds aggressive Kappa-emblazoned grillework below the bumper. That logo is repeated all along the fat red racing stripe that runs from nose to tail, flanked by thinner grey accent stripes. Another red door stripe with the Kappa branding runs along each flank. A roof spoiler and a color-keyed diffuser insert add visual flair in back, while white rally-style wheels take up residence at the corners. Inside, sport seats with the Kappa insignia dress up the passenger cabin, rounding out this surprisingly appealing styling exercise from Dongfeng Citroën and Kappa, even if it the equivalent of a car dressed in a jogging suit.

Gallery: Beijing 2008: Citroen C2 Kappa - Live Shots

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

Beijing 2008: Citroen C2 Kappa jogs onstage originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Porsche unveils the Cayenne Turbo S

Alex Nunez — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Europe, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the new Cayenne Turbo S

Porsche says that Asian and Eastern European market demand for ridiculously high performance SUVs has resulted in a new addition to the Cayenne range. After a brief respite following the introduction of the current-gen Cayenne, the Turbo S moniker returns. With it comes more power, more torque, newly-available features, and a commensurate cost of entry.

Updated engine management and a new exhaust system raise peak output to 550 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. Channeled through a 6-speed Tiptronic S gearbox, that's enough to rocket Stuttgart's new über-ute to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and give it a top speed of 174 mph. Reining in those horses becomes even easier if buyers pony up for the optional, massive ceramic composite brakes (16" front / 14.5". rear), now available on Cayenne for the fist time. Exclusive "Lava Gray" paint, the requisite badges, body-colored grille slats, 21-inch wheels, and the quad-tip exhaust help clue savvy onlookers into the fact that this is no mere Turbo. Inside, two-tone seating and a raft of gadgetry ensure that the oligarch at the wheel stays comfortable and entertained. The Cayenne Turbo S arrives in August and if you want one, bring plenty of money. It starts at €111,400. Follow the jump for Porsche's press release and the official tech specs.

Gallery: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Beijing 2008: Porsche unveils the Cayenne Turbo S

Beijing 2008: Porsche unveils the Cayenne Turbo S originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Buick Invicta Concept debuts, say hello to next LaCrosse

John Neff — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:40:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, China, Buick, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the Buick Invicta Concept

Buick has dusted off the Invicta name, which hasn't been used by the brand since 1959, for its newest concept that debuted today at the Beijing Motor Show. The mid-size sedan previews the look of what U.S. customers will get with the next redesign of the LaCrosse sedan, and draws much of its design inspiration from Buick's most recent concepts like the Riviera and Velite. The Invicta features traditional Buick design cues like its waterfall grille and portholes, relocated on this car to the hood rather than the front fenders, but the rest of its styling is modern and fresh in a decidedly un-Buick way. The high beltline is a common element in many auto designs today, and is used well on the Invicta to give the concept a big presence for a mid-size car. We particular the shape of the lower air intake up front and the "sweepspear" character line along the side of the car. The sweepspear looks a bit like the sheetmetal kink on the Dodge Avenger, but so much better. The interior, meanwhile, appears surprisingly production ready with a wraparound dash and self-contained location for all controls above the sweeping center console.

Power for the concept comes from a turbocharged, direct-inject four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque, which is hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission. Since it's a concept, however, the Invicta's powertrain is pretty immaterial. We're interested in its styling since it's likely what we'll see on the next-gen LaCrosse, which is scheduled to switch over to the Epsilon II platform that's shared with the Chevy Malibu when it debuts as a 2010 model. According to spy shots, things are coming along quite nicely.

Gallery: Buick Invicta Concept

[Source: Buick]

Continue reading Beijing 2008: Buick Invicta Concept debuts, say hello to next LaCrosse

Beijing 2008: Buick Invicta Concept debuts, say hello to next LaCrosse originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: Officially Official - It's the 2009 Audi Q5

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Audi, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi Q5

For months now we've seen spy photos and heard speculation about Audi's new Q5 CUV. Now, we finally have the official news on the latest entry from Ingolstadt. Unlike its big brother the Q7, the Q5 doesn't share an architecture with a VW model. The Q5 utilizes the same underpinnings as the A5 coupe and A4 sedan/wagon. That means the Q5 has a longitudinally mounted engine rather than the transverse powerplant found in the smaller VW Tiguan.

While we were in Germany to drive the new A4, Audi invited us into their design center in Ingolstadt to check out their new virtual reality design system and have a look at the Q5 in the metal, prior to its official coming out party in Beijing. Compared to the Q7, the Q5 looks substantially more compact than its hefty sibling and is much tidier design overall, keeping with Audi's current pretensions of being a premium sporting brand. In fact the Q5 falls right in the heart of the premium mid-size CUV segment. Learn more about the Q5 design after the jump

Gallery: Beijing '08: 2009 Audi Q5

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Beijing 2008: Officially Official - It's the 2009 Audi Q5

Beijing 2008: Officially Official - It's the 2009 Audi Q5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Q5 to be built in China

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Audi, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi Cross Coupe Quattro.

We're less than 12 hours away from seeing the Audi Q5 officially revealed at the Auto China Show in Beijing, and according to Süddeutsche Zeitung, Audi's new cute 'ute will be assembled in Changchun, in northern China. The German rag cited unspecified China-based sources for the information, but Audi isn't answering any questions ahead of the reveal tomorrow. The Q5 is due to hit dealers in Europe later this summer and sales are expected to begin in the States towards the beginning of next year. It's likely we'll hear about Audi's production plans for the Q5 during tomorrow's press conference and you can watch the reveal live on Audi's online media site.

Gallery: Audi Cross Coupe quattro

Gallery: Audi Cross Coupe Quattro

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Audi Q5 to be built in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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