Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz intros long-wheelbase E-Class for China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/mercedes-benz-intros-long-wheelbase-e-class-for-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/mercedes-benz-intros-long-wheelbase-e-class-for-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/mercedes-benz-intros-long-wheelbase-e-class-for-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class long-wheelbase - profile view

Long-wheelbase sedans are a pretty hot commodity in China, and to keep up with the competition, Mercedes-Benz has introduced an extended version of the 2014 E-Class sedan at the Shanghai Motor Show. Audi, BMW, Volvo and even Cadillac offer extended versions of sedans specific to the Chinese market, and now the E-Class L, shown off in E400L guise, will give luxury sedan buyers in China yet another option.

Compared to the standard 2014 E-Class sedan, the new China-spec E-Class L has been stretched by 5.5 inches - all of which goes to the rear-seat passengers. According to an article on China View from earlier in the year, the market for chauffeur-driven cars is growing in the Asian nation, so automakers need long-wheelbase models like the E-Class L in order to fully compete. As for what powers this stretched E-Class, it's available in three models: the diesel E260L, the V6-powered E300L and the E400 Hybrid.

The redesigned E-Class and the all-new A-Class are just the first of 20 new Mercedes-Benz products that will be introduced into the Chinese auto market by 2015. Scroll down for the full press release on long-wheelbase E.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz intros long-wheelbase E-Class for China

Mercedes-Benz intros long-wheelbase E-Class for China originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 mercedes-benz e-classlong-wheelbasemercedes-benzmercedes-benz e-classmercedes-benz e-class lwbmercedes-benz e-klasseshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showThu, 25 Apr 2013 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547681/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/25/mercedes-benz-intros-long-wheelbase-e-class-for-china/20547681/article-detail.xml 20547681 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/mercedes-benz-e-class-lwb-1366751968_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/mercedes-benz-e-class-lwb-1366751968.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA gets official ahead of Shanghai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/mercedes-benz-concept-gla-gets-official-ahead-of-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/mercedes-benz-concept-gla-gets-official-ahead-of-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/mercedes-benz-concept-gla-gets-official-ahead-of-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Mercedes-Benz has something special planned for the Shanghai Motor Show - a new CUV concept that we first saw when it leaked on the internet yesterday. The GLA Concept compact crossover will hit the show stand with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive, and likely previews a new production model that we've already spotted testing.

That's not news, but the laser-based headlamps with video-projecting capability certainly are. Mercedes-Benz says the array can project any image or video onto a screen, which is handy since there are a pair of HD cameras mounted to the roof rack. The cameras can be removed and taken with you on all sorts of adventures. The lamps also feature a visible cooling system comprised of a series of fans, and the system helps give the headlights their "sparkle" effect.

Step indoors and the GLA offers up the interior of a high-quality crossover, complete with contrasting leather and plenty of aluminum. The automaker says the cabin was inspired by saddle craftsmanship with "more than 65 feet of hand-stitched seams to hold the raw edges of the leather together."

You can check out the full press release below for more information, and stay tuned for live photos direct from Shanghai later this week.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA gets official ahead of Shanghai

Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA gets official ahead of Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 shanghai motor showmercedes gla conceptmercedes-benzshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showThu, 18 Apr 2013 03:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20543754/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/18/mercedes-benz-concept-gla-gets-official-ahead-of-shanghai/20543754/article-detail.xml 20543754 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/concept-gla-1-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/concept-gla-1-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Jeep Cherokee will keep Liberty designation in China... sort of]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/2014-jeep-cherokee-will-keep-liberty-designation-in-china-sor/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/2014-jeep-cherokee-will-keep-liberty-designation-in-china-sor/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/2014-jeep-cherokee-will-keep-liberty-designation-in-china-sor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 Jeep Cherokee

Chinese buyers will get their first live look at the 2014 Jeep Cherokee during the Shanghai Motor Show, but CarNewsChina is reporting that it will go by a different name - Ziyou Guan, which translates to "Liberty Light." The article states that our Jeep Liberty was never sold in China, but the iconic XJ Cherokee was sold and produced there as the Qinuoji (a phonetic translation of Cherokee).

The new Jeep Liberty Light will be built alongside the Fiat Viaggio (China's Fiat-badged version of the Dodge Dart) at the Guangzhou-Fiat plant, and the two models will share the same powertrains: a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder base engine paired to a five-speed manual or a dual-clutch transmission and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder (the base engine for the US-spec 2014 Cherokee) as an optional engine. It doesn't sound like the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will be offered in China.

We'll be on hand when the new Jeep debuts in Shanghai, so stay tuned to Autoblog this Friday night and Saturday for our live coverage of the show.

2014 Jeep Cherokee will keep Liberty designation in China... sort of originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 jeep cherokeejeepjeep cherokeejeep ziyou guanshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showWed, 17 Apr 2013 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20543275/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/17/2014-jeep-cherokee-will-keep-liberty-designation-in-china-sor/20543275/article-detail.xml 20543275 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/jeepcherokee11-opt_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/jeepcherokee11-opt.png <![CDATA[Icona Vulcano teased again before Shanghai reveal [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/icona-vulcano-teased-again-before-shanghai-reveal-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/icona-vulcano-teased-again-before-shanghai-reveal-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/icona-vulcano-teased-again-before-shanghai-reveal-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



It used to be that New York marked the end of the auto show season, but after the Shanghai show has moved so as not to compete with NYC, we've settled in for a few more weeks of teasing. Here we have another glimpse of the Vulcano, the supercar created by Shanghai-based boutique carmaker Icona that we'll see revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show.

It's a fuller view of the back end than we glimpsed in the first teaser, covered in "Red Magma" paint. We're looking forward to finding out what that central hatch hides since the Vulcano's V12 engine - the work of Claudio Lombardi, whose resume includes powertrain engineering for World Rally Championship Lancias and the Formula One and GT Programs at Ferrari - is mounted in front. That engine is mated to electric motors and the whole shebang kicks out 900 horsepower.

The Vulcano is said to be an evolution of the all-electric Fuselage concept that Icona showed at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show. "Evolution" is a broad term, especially when we're going from a zero-emissions vehicle to a 900-horsepower hybrid sports car, but to at least check out where the company has been there's a video of the Fuselage below.

Continue reading Icona Vulcano teased again before Shanghai reveal [w/video]

Icona Vulcano teased again before Shanghai reveal [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept cariconaicona vulcanoShanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showvideoyoutubeMon, 15 Apr 2013 19:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20540002/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/icona-vulcano-teased-again-before-shanghai-reveal-w-video/20540002/article-detail.xml 20540002 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/icona-vulcano-tease-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/icona-vulcano-tease-2.jpg <![CDATA[MG to unveil CS crossover concept in Shanghai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/mg-to-unveil-cs-crossover-concept-in-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/mg-to-unveil-cs-crossover-concept-in-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/mg-to-unveil-cs-crossover-concept-in-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



MG has a compact SUV concept coming to Shanghai Motor Show, and it wears the compact moniker "CS." Beyond talking up its "sporting DNA," "charisma" and "multi-faceted 'shard' structure" headlights, we only know one thing about it: The CS concept previews a production compact SUV from MG, the Sino-English brand anxious to hop into a rapidly growing and lucrative segment.

There's a brief press release below along with a teaser image above (click to enlarge), and we'll bring you the real thing in pictures when the Shanghai show opens next week.

Continue reading MG to unveil CS crossover concept in Shanghai

MG to unveil CS crossover concept in Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mgmg csmg cs conceptshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showMon, 15 Apr 2013 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20540526/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/mg-to-unveil-cs-crossover-concept-in-shanghai/20540526/article-detail.xml 20540526 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/mg-cs-concept_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/mg-cs-concept.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Ford Fusion to get 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2014-ford-fusion-to-get-1-5l-ecoboost-three-cylinder/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2014-ford-fusion-to-get-1-5l-ecoboost-three-cylinder/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2014-ford-fusion-to-get-1-5l-ecoboost-three-cylinder/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Ford Fusion

Just one year after launching the all-new 2013 Fusion, Ford is reportedly set to alter the sedan's powertrain lineup with the addition of a new 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. A member of Blue Oval Forums apparently got their hands on the ordering guide for the 2014 model year Fusion, and this 1.5-liter mill is set to be introduced with late availability.

This lines up with other news about the Chinese-market Mondeo being offered with a new 1.5-liter EcoBoost - a derivative of the 1.0-liter triple that will come to North America under the hood of the Fiesta. In the Chinese application, the larger three-pot engine produces 177 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, which is very close to the current 1.6-liter inline-four's output numbers of 178 hp and 184 lb-ft.

What's interesting, however, is that the 1.6-liter engine will reportedly still be offered in the Fusion, but only with the six-speed manual transmission. The smaller 1.5-liter EcoBoost will only be mated to a six-speed SelectShift automatic, and will feature start/stop. This means that while the 1.5 is slightly down on power compared to the 1.6, it could easily improve fuel economy numbers, allowing the Fusion to regain the title of having the best mileage in the segment, likely besting the 38 miles per gallon of the Nissan Altima. Currently, the Fusion 1.6 is rated at 23 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

Blue Oval Forums also states that the 2014 Fusion will get a number of other changes, including an optional heated steering wheel, cooled seats, summer tire options for select models, and a couple of new exterior paint colors.

A Ford spokesperson could not be reached for comment at this time, but stay tuned for updates as they become available.

2014 Ford Fusion to get 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.5l ecoboostecoboostfordford fusionford mondeoshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showthree-cylinderTue, 09 Apr 2013 13:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20535129/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/09/2014-ford-fusion-to-get-1-5l-ecoboost-three-cylinder/20535129/article-detail.xml 20535129 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/01a-2013-ford-fusion-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/01a-2013-ford-fusion-fd.jpg <![CDATA[Maserati Ghibli revealed ahead of Shanghai debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/maserati-ghibli-revealed-ahead-of-shanghai-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/maserati-ghibli-revealed-ahead-of-shanghai-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/maserati-ghibli-revealed-ahead-of-shanghai-debut/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We knew it was coming, and here it is: the 2014 Maserati Ghibli. Maserati's plan of selling 50,000 cars per year by 2015 starts with the Ghibli, which will be positioned in a more volume-friendly market against the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series. The Ghibli will make its official debut later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show.

Although our first look at Maseati's newest sedan is limited to just three images, we can see that the car will have a sportier exterior design than its bigger brother, the Quattroporte, to go with an equally luxurious interior. Under its long, sleek hood, Maserati has confirmed that the Ghibli will utilize a pair of 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engines - one gas and one diesel - both mated to eight-speed automatic transmissions. A rear-wheel-drive configuration will be standard, and the Italian automaker's new Q4 all-wheel-drive system will be available.

Scroll down for the brief teaser press release.

Continue reading Maserati Ghibli revealed ahead of Shanghai debut

Maserati Ghibli revealed ahead of Shanghai debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 maserati ghiblimaseratimaserati ghiblishanghai 2013shanghai motor showTue, 09 Apr 2013 09:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20534823/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/09/maserati-ghibli-revealed-ahead-of-shanghai-debut/20534823/article-detail.xml 20534823 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/000-2014-maserati-ghibli-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/000-2014-maserati-ghibli-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Honda and Acura render their future visions for Shanghai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/honda-and-acura-render-their-future-visions-for-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/honda-and-acura-render-their-future-visions-for-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/honda-and-acura-render-their-future-visions-for-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Acura concept rendering for Shanghai Motor Show 2013

Honda concept rendering for Shanghai Motor Show 2013With the Shanghai Motor Show coming up later this month, Honda has released a couple of teaser sketches for two concept vehicles that will be making global debuts. Aside from the renderings, there is no information about either the Honda or Acura concept vehicles, but we can tell that both are some sort of utility vehicle, be they of crossover or people-mover variety.

The text for both images indicates that both concepts show future products that will be launched in China, but there is no mention as to what other markets the automaker has planned for these vehicles. In addition to these two concepts, the NSX Concept and 2014 RLX from Acura will make their Chinese debuts, and Honda says it "will display models substantially identical to the mass-production version of the Concept C and Concept S." The Concept C is will be a "middle-class" sedan built for China, and the Concept S, an MPV that will primarily serve China as well.

Continue reading Honda and Acura render their future visions for Shanghai

Honda and Acura render their future visions for Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraacura concept carhondahonda concept carshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showMon, 08 Apr 2013 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20533677/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/honda-and-acura-render-their-future-visions-for-shanghai/20533677/article-detail.xml 20533677 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/acura-concept-sketch-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/acura-concept-sketch-628.jpg <![CDATA[Detroit Electric to launch sedan, hatchback models by end of 2014]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/detroit-electric-to-launch-sedan-hatchback-models-by-end-of-201/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/detroit-electric-to-launch-sedan-hatchback-models-by-end-of-201/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/detroit-electric-to-launch-sedan-hatchback-models-by-end-of-201/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Detroit Electric SP:01 - front three-quarter view, blue

Detroit Electric revealed its new SP:01 electric sports car (pictured) at Detroit's historic Fisher Building Wednesday - the same place where the company's headquarters are located - marking the rebirth of a marque that had been dormant since 1939. And while the first SP:01 cars won't even be built until August, the company is already looking to the future, promising two more vehicle launches before the end of 2014.

During a press briefing, Albert Lam, chairman and CEO, and Don Graundstadt, CEO of North American operations, told reporters that the new models coming to market will be a sedan and hatchback, both of which will cost far less than the $135,000 SP:01 sports car (a price that does not include the federal tax credit, by the way). Specific pricing hasn't been announced, but Lam said that the vehicles will be priced for "everyday practical usage," and that one of them could fall in the $30,000 to $35,000 range - similar to that of a Nissan Leaf.

The vehicles will be priced for "everyday practical usage," and one of them could fall in the $30,000 to $35,000 range.

Much like the Lotus-based SP:01, the new vehicles will follow the strategy that the company is currently using, where most of the car's components will be outsourced from another automaker, with final assembly of the Detroit Electric product happening in the United States. Officials declined to reveal what automaker(s) it will be working with on these new products at this time, but Autoblog has learned that an official announcement about a partnership with a global automaker will be announced at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month.

Specific details about the new sedan and hatchback have not been divulged, but Detroit Electric says the vehicles will have both short-range and long-range battery options, and they will also feature the SAMI (Smartphone Application Managed Infotainment) system and 360 Powerpack found in the SP:01.

As for how the company plans to sell and service its vehicles in the US, Detroit Electric is allegedly in talks with a large organization that has an existing dealer network as means of setting up shop. Following the launch of the SP:01, which is limited to just 999 units, the company hopes to sell as many as 10,000 vehicles around the world each year, with the goal of increasing that number to as high as 40,000. Production of the SP:01 will kick off at an undisclosed Detroit-area facility this fall.

The SP:01 features a 37-kWh, AC Propulsion-sourced lithium-polymer battery and electric motor capable of producing 201 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque mated to either a four-speed manual transmission or a two-speed automatic. The first SP:01 will be delivered in September, and the company plans to hand over the keys to its initial vehicle in - you guessed it - Detroit.

Detroit Electric to launch sedan, hatchback models by end of 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroit electricdetroit electric sp:01shanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showThu, 04 Apr 2013 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20529557/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/04/detroit-electric-to-launch-sedan-hatchback-models-by-end-of-201/20529557/article-detail.xml 20529557 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/006-detroit-electric-sp01-live-1365039488_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/006-detroit-electric-sp01-live-1365039488.jpg <![CDATA[BMW X4 Concept images leak ahead of Shanghai debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/bmw-x4-concept-images-leak-ahead-of-shanghai-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/bmw-x4-concept-images-leak-ahead-of-shanghai-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/bmw-x4-concept-images-leak-ahead-of-shanghai-debut/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

BMW X4 Concept - leaked front three-quarter studio image

Last month, BMW confirmed that its long-awaited X4 crossover would debut next year, but other than imagining a smaller X6-shaped crossover, we really had no idea what the new niche model would look like. That is until a Russian website, Autowp, leaked a handful of embargoed images this morning showing the X4 Concept that will be unveiled in a couple of weeks at the Shanghai Motor Show.

From what we can see of this concept's styling, there are more elements shared with current BMW models than not. The face of the concept is an attractive blend of the current 3 Series sedan and the X3, while the roofline has definitely plucked right from the X6. This thinly veiled concept should carry over almost untouched when it enters production with the exception of the door handles and the overly stylized fascias and side mirrors. According to CarScoops, it will measure the same length as the current X3 and use the same engine lineup as well. Stay tuned, as we'll have more information on this concept shortly.

BMW X4 Concept images leak ahead of Shanghai debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 bmw x42015 bmw x4bmwbmw x4bmw x4 conceptbreakingshanghai 2013sport activity coupeThu, 04 Apr 2013 09:22:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20530034/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/04/bmw-x4-concept-images-leak-ahead-of-shanghai-debut/20530034/article-detail.xml 20530034 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/bmw-x4-concept-leaked-images_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/bmw-x4-concept-leaked-images.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan to bring Friend-Me concept to Shanghai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/nissan-to-bring-friend-me-concept-to-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/nissan-to-bring-friend-me-concept-to-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/nissan-to-bring-friend-me-concept-to-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Nissan's got a big ol' show planned for its immersive space at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show where visitors will see, touch, hear and smell the Nissan world. Sitting among 20 offerings that include the GT-R, Quest, Murano and Teana will be the Friend-Me concept (click image above to enlarge), the first show car created with "key input" by Chinese designers at Nissan Design China in Beijing. Its USP is "Four seats, one mind connectivity" that promotes information sharing among all the occupants.

The Friend-Me has the "vibrant, young" Chinese demographic in mind, our guess being Nissan thinks there's no reason to stop the digital sharing just because you're sitting in a car. We'll find out on April 20 exactly what's being exchanged in the Friend-Me. Until then, there's a press release below with a little more info.

Continue reading Nissan to bring Friend-Me concept to Shanghai

Nissan to bring Friend-Me concept to Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept carnissannissan friend-meshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showMon, 01 Apr 2013 10:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20524264/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/01/nissan-to-bring-friend-me-concept-to-shanghai/20524264/article-detail.xml 20524264 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/nissanfriend-meconcept_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/nissanfriend-meconcept.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki offers sneak peek at Authentics concept for Shanghai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/suzuki-offers-sneak-peek-at-authentics-concept-for-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/suzuki-offers-sneak-peek-at-authentics-concept-for-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/suzuki-offers-sneak-peek-at-authentics-concept-for-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Suzuki has prepared the C-segment Authentics concept for the Shanghai Motor Show, a preview of a sedan that would slot into the fattest chunk of the market among China's car buyers. Suzuki hasn't given away much, saying only that it is "Sporty x Elegant" and that it's long and low and has a "rich and fine curved surface."

PaulTan.org says this is the trunked version of the SX4 crossover, and if that's the case then it would represent a new approach to the SX4 in the region, offering markedly different styling instead of being, literally, an SX4 with a trunk. We'll know more when the Shanghai show opens in a couple of weeks, for now there's a press release with a tad more info on Suzuki's plans just below.

Continue reading Suzuki offers sneak peek at Authentics concept for Shanghai

Suzuki offers sneak peek at Authentics concept for Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>shanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showsuzukisuzuki authenticssuzuki authentics conceptsuzuki sx4Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20523773/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/31/suzuki-offers-sneak-peek-at-authentics-concept-for-shanghai/20523773/article-detail.xml 20523773 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/suzukiauthentics_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/suzukiauthentics.jpg <![CDATA[Icona Vulcano one-off supercar headed for Shanghai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/23/icona-vulcano-one-off-supercar-headed-for-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/23/icona-vulcano-one-off-supercar-headed-for-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/23/icona-vulcano-one-off-supercar-headed-for-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



We're still on a bit of a supercar hangover from all the high-horsepower goodness we saw at the Geneva Motor Show, but the upcoming Shanghai Motor Show promises at least one car that can rival the performance numbers of the McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari or Lamborghini Veneno. Shanghai-based Icona is teasing us with a shot of its one-off Vulcano supercar, which it will reveal next month.

The Vulcano's Coke-bottle shape is obvious from this overhead shot (click above to enlarge), but there's not much else we can make out on the car penned by French designer Samuel Chaffart, who previously designed cars for Nissan and Jaguar-Land Rover. As for the super part of this supercar, the Vulcano has a front-mounted V12 paired with some arrangement of electric motors to produce up to 900 horsepower. Icona doesn't specify how the electric motors are used and doesn't refer to the car as a hybrid, but it does say that the two-seater can reach a top speed of 217 miles per hour and that it can accelerate to 124 mph in under 10 seconds.

Feel free to peruse the press release below.

Continue reading Icona Vulcano one-off supercar headed for Shanghai

Icona Vulcano one-off supercar headed for Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hybrid supercariconaicona vulcanoshanghai 2013shanghai motor showSat, 23 Mar 2013 17:06:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20513762/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/23/icona-vulcano-one-off-supercar-headed-for-shanghai/20513762/article-detail.xml 20513762 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/icona-vulcano-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/icona-vulcano-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi A3 Sedan to debut in Shanghai... technically]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/audi-a3-sedan-to-debut-in-shanghai-technically/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/audi-a3-sedan-to-debut-in-shanghai-technically/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/audi-a3-sedan-to-debut-in-shanghai-technically/#commentsFiled under:

Audi A3 sedan prototype

For the first time, Audi will offer a proper four-door version of its compact A3 in the United States. And while we'll be getting a sneak peek at the new sedan as part of this month's New York Auto Show festivities, Audi sources have confirmed to Autoblog that the car will officially make its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show in April.

As we reported in our first drive of the European-spec A3, the US model will be offered in both four- and five-door trims, powered by both gasoline and diesel powerplants. On the gas front, a new 1.8-liter turbo-four will be found underhood, as will a massaged version of the 2.0-liter forced-induction four we all know and love. The diesel engine will be the same 2.0-liter TDI four that we currently enjoy in the A3.

Stay tuned for official details and images later this month.

Audi A3 Sedan to debut in Shanghai... technically originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 audi a3a3audinew yorknew york 2013new york auto showshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showMon, 11 Mar 2013 17:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20497562/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/11/audi-a3-sedan-to-debut-in-shanghai-technically/20497562/article-detail.xml 20497562 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audi-a3-sedan-spy-shots_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audi-a3-sedan-spy-shots.jpg <![CDATA[Maserati Ghibli overtakes Levante, headed for Shanghai?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/maserati-ghibli-overtakes-levante-headed-for-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/maserati-ghibli-overtakes-levante-headed-for-shanghai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/maserati-ghibli-overtakes-levante-headed-for-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Maserati Ghibli prototype cold-weather testing

While earlier reports indicated that the next Maserati product out of the gate would be the Levante SUV, Motor Trend is now reporting that the Audi A7-shaped Ghibli has cut in line. Word is that we may see the new Ghibli as early as the Shanghai Motor Show in April.

Citing unnamed sources, MT predicts that the minds at Maserati now see a more pressing need to fight off the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 5 Series than to go after luxury utes. However, if our spy shots of Ghibli prototypes are anything to go on, it's also likely that the sub-Quattroporte Maser won't be a traditional sedan. The car above's long nose, low roof and brief, sloping rear deck all bring to mind Audi's lovely A7, Meaning the Ghibli may fall into the always murky four-door-coupe/luxury hatchback genre.

Bi-turbocharged iterations of both a V6 and a V8 should make up the early powertrain choices for the Maserati, meaning the top-spec Ghibli should have loads of shove to match its promised good looks.

Maserati Ghibli overtakes Levante, headed for Shanghai? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 maserati ghiblighiblimaseratiquattroporteshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showspy shotsWed, 13 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20460373/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/13/maserati-ghibli-overtakes-levante-headed-for-shanghai/20460373/article-detail.xml 20460373 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/maserati-ghibli-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/maserati-ghibli-628.jpg -1 2