Automotive

In photos: Dive into the world of Chinese cars and SUVs at Auto Shanghai 2019

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Bordrin estimates a 435-mile (700-km) all-electric range on the iV7. We're not buying it, but that's the number we see attached
Inside the BMW X7
BMW holds a big X7 launch event in Shanghai
BMW X7
The BMW X7 looking the part outside in Shanghai
Volkswagen Tharu crossover
Volkswagen Tharu crossover
The new Terramont X from SAIC Volkswagen debuts as a toughened Terramont five-seat crossover
Volkswagen holds the debut of the Terramont X in Shanghai as part of an eight-SUV model offensive planned this year in China
Maxus G50 MPV
Maxus D60e electric SUV
All-new Chevy Trailblazer makes its world debut at Auto Shanghai
Chevy Blazes new Trails in Shanghai
Chevy says the new Tracker entry level SUV is aimed at the internet generation
Chevy Tracker debut 
Hot off a Geneva triple-reveal that included street and race versions of the all-electric GT supercar, Arcfox shows its ECF electric crossover concept in Shanghai 
Auto Shanghai 2019
Zedriv GX5
Zedriv GC2
Zedriv GX5
Toyota takes the minivan full luxury with the chauffeur-ready Lexus LM
Nio finds some middle ground between its all-out EP9 electric hypercar and its ES SUV lineup with the all-new ET sports sedan
The fittingly named Nio ET Preview provides a preview of an upcoming electric sedan line
Nio ET Preview
A classic Skoda Octavia Combi makes us nostalgic for the wagons of yesteryear 
Classic Skoda Octavia Combi
Our first thought when we saw this Jetta VS7 was, "we wonder how Volkswagen feels about that." As it turns out, though, the new brand is a product of VW's partnership with Chinese manufacturing partner First Auto Works (FAW), so we guess it feels pretty good about it
BMW hosts the world premiere of the 3 Series Long Wheelbase
We suppose we've become somewhat numb to the absurdity of Lexus' giant spindle grilles over the years, but New Atlas commenters were (rightfully) much harsher on the absolutely massive gape on the Lexus LM
BMW stretches the new 3 Series out
BMW says that China accounts for roughly 33 percent of all global 3 Series sales and 80 percent of those Chinese sales are the long-wheelbase variant
Roewe Vision Concept
Roewe Vision Concept
Grove Automotive at Auto Shanghai 2019
Grove Automotive at Auto Shanghai 2019
Pininfarina has been putting a little flair behind alternative-energy vehicle start-ups like Grove Hydrogen Automotive
Grove teamed up with Pininfarina on this hydrogen fuel cell sedan concept
The sharp-looking SF5 is a new performance electric SUV from Seres, previously named SF Motors. Seres intends to have a presence in both the US and China and already has headquarters in Silicon Valley
JAC iEV S4
Nissan debuts the new-generation Sylphy compact sedan 
Not to be confused with the Sylphy Zero Emissions that Nissan debuted last year in Beijing, the Sylphy pictured here is the all-new petrol variant
Renault shows the compact electric K-ZE city car
Renault K-ZE
Geely debuts the Preface Concept as its first high-end sports sedan
Geely's new all-electric Geometry A has a sporty look to it, but it doesn't quite pack the oomph to make good on those looks, as we discussed when we first covered the debut
It appears Mitsubishi renamed the Engelberg Tourer Geneva show car the e-Yi Concept for China
Those rear lights might be a bit oversized, but overall we like what Gyon's done with the Matchless concept
Gyon presents a sporty electric estate with the Matchless concept
Gyon made an official introduction to the US last year, but it doesn't seem a Matchless-based production car is in the cards for the States
BYD calls that front-end the "Dragon Face" - we're not sure we actually see it, but it sounds pretty cool, nonetheless. Plus, the car has serious "dragon-wing" doors to complete the look
BYD doesn't offer too many specifics about the E-SEED GT concept, letting it stand as the company's "pinnacle of design"
The Roewe Vision concept looks to be a fully autonomous SUV/MPV-type vehicle
BYD's Song Pro is a tech-loaded SUV with powerful appearance
Karma steps up its global game with a triple-vehicle debut at Auto Shanghai. This one is the most future-looking of the lot, the SC1 Vision Concept
The all-electric SC1 concept has a fast, clean appearance with forward-rushing curves, a tiny, frameless windscreen and a digitized interior
Karma debuts its new Revero GT, which wears a full facelift and packs a new 535-hp hybrid powertrain
The Karma GT designed by Pininfarina may lead to a limited production car, but it may also remain just a show car
We checked out the Aiways U5, along with the supercar efforts of partner Gumpert, at last month's Geneva Motor Show, and here it is again in Shanghai
The Aiways U7 ion concept has a total of 12 digital displays inside
The Aiways U7 ion concept is loaded with tech, including a self-learning robot that moves around the cabin to keep everyone comfortable. Or at least that's what the press release talks about
The U7 ion concept demonstrates the direction Aiways' design language will move with Ken Okuyama serving as chief design advisor. The one-time Pininfarina creative director is more recently known for show-stopping independent creations like the Kode57
Infiniti follows the NAIAS-debuted Inspiration QX crossover concept with the Inspiration Qs sedan concept
Infiniti teases its electrified future with the Qs concept
A look inside the Infiniti Qs
Colorful cars and concepts of Auto Shanghai 2019
Colorful cars and concepts of Auto Shanghai 2019
Colorful cars and concepts of Auto Shanghai 2019
Volkswagen debuts the I.D. Roomzz concept electric SUV
We're not expecting those sliding doors to stick around when the I.D. Roomzz gives way to a production model in 2021, but we hope they do
A peek inside the lounge-like interior of the I.D. Roomzz 
Based on the logo, this glassy pile of rolling future hails from electric van maker Iconiq, sibling to hypercar marque W Motors (Lykan Hypersport and Fenyr Supersport)
Xpeng unveils its new P7 intelligent electric four-door coupe
The new P7 features a dual-motor AWD electric powertrain and a Level 3-ready autonomous platform
Xpeng plans to begin P7 deliveries in the second quarter of 2020
Mercedes gives its Concept GLB the look of a serious off-roader
The Mercedes Concept GLB is powered by a 224-hp four-cylinder engine
The Bordrin iV7 "smart electric luxury SUV" has a clean digital look to it and reminds us of a softer, more aesthetic version of Rivian styling
Bordrin estimates a 435-mile (700-km) all-electric range on the iV7. We're not buying it, but that's the number we see attached
Also on show at the Bordrin booth: the iV6 smart electric crossover
Bordrin slaps a 373-mile (600-km) range on the iV6
A little more curvy than the average crossover, the Bordrin iV6 has a definite crossover-coupe look to it
The interior includes an interplay of natural and manufactured materials, most notably the wood pergola against the spacious glass roof
Audi
A peek inside the Audi AI:ME
Audi
The AI:ME is a compact hatchback that uses self-driving and electric tech to create a comfortable "third living space"
Audi
Audi debuts the AI:ME at Auto Shanghai
Audi
The Audi is the third in a concept car series that will wrap up with a final concept at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show
Audi
View gallery - 85 images

Attend a few auto shows, and you'll find yourself in much the same routine, bouncing across the floor from one major automaker to the next, looking for what's new and exciting. They're brands you've known since before you could see over the dashboard — the Fords, Nissans, Volkswagens, GMs, etc. etc. But the Shanghai auto show flips the experience on its ear, and those staple brands are thoroughly diluted in a larger pool filled with names you just don't see much of at other international shows — the SAICs, JACs, BYDs, etc. etc. Suddenly, you're a young kid at his very first auto show, where everything is new and wondrous.

That's not to say that the familiar global brands don't have any presence at all. For instance, this year Toyota has everyone staring with mouths agape at the Lexus LM luxury minivan, and Volkswagen impresses with its latest electric ID concept. So the gallery offers a mix of both Chinese vehicles and global models, as does the highlights section:

Gyon lights a fire without a match

It's hard to get excited when a new Chinese unknown announces a leap into the American market. It's harder still when that announcement isn't even accompanied by so much as a concept car or model. But that's exactly how Chinese luxury brand Gyon entered the US fray last August, holding a press conference on an LA stage conspicuously absent of any type of actual vehicle. You'll be forgiven for having forgotten all about Gyon eight months later ... that is, if you even noticed it to begin with.

Gyon presents a sporty electric estate with the Matchless concept

Gyon isn't repeating that mistake in Shanghai, making sure it's both known and remembered with the Matchless concept, an effort that shows the company isn't afraid to go against the grain with a debut design that breaks from the cookie-cutter electric SUVs dominating the Shanghai floor. And its effort does not go to waste, as the Matchless concept it designed with Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters is one of the most stylish performance estates we've seen of late. The strong D pillars mounted atop bulging fender muscles remind us a little of the 2018 Subaru Viziv Tourer, but the overall design is longer, softer and sleeker, its character line undulating into a long hood and high-tech face. We particularly like the C-shaped headlights.

A Chinese electric station wagon would sell about as well in the US as an anthrax-laced "Kardashians Sing the Classics" album, and Gyon has already said its US portfolio will run the crossover/sedan/SUV spectrum, so a Matchless-based production car won't be its US debut. Still, it certainly makes us more anxious to see what the brand has in store.

Audi shrink-wraps the autonomous commute

For its Shanghai exhibit, Audi takes aim directly at China's sprawling, overpopulated megacities with the AI:ME, a Level 4 autonomous electric city car concept. The AI:ME shares part of its name and much of its styling DNA with the larger Aicon sedan but goes in an opposite direction, showing how a car doesn't need to be a stretched ultra-premium-sized monster to take advantage of the long-wheelbase, lounge-like comfort offered by autonomous and electric drive technology.

Audi debuts the AI:ME at Auto Shanghai
Audi

Measuring just 14.1 feet (4.3 m), the AI:ME takes advantage of a lengthened wheelbase underpinned by the decentralized e-drive, offering a more spacious, versatile cabin that Audi fancies a "third living space," following home and work. The interior focuses not on the connection between driver and vehicle, as in a conventional car, but on the valuable free time spent inside. It creates a more comfortable, serene feel with an open glass roof and wood pergola overhead, as well as a mix of wood, Corian and warm gray upholstered surfaces — there are even real plants inside. Should all the glass let too much light and heat pour down, electrochromatic tinting blocks out the sun.

Beyond that, Audi stuffs the AI:ME with much of the usual modern concept car tech — eye tracking, communicative exterior lighting, voice control, 3D OLED display and even VR goggles. The car is powered by a 170-hp rear-drive electric powertrain tailored specifically to slow, steady city commuting between 12 and 44 mph (20 and 70 km/h). It's designed within a car sharing paradigm and powered by an app-based ordering and services system.

A peek inside the Audi AI:ME
Audi

The AI:ME is the third in Audi's series of highly purpose-driven electric concept cars, following the Aicon and PB 18 e-tron supercar. Audi plans to show the fourth and final concept in the series at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Nio phones home

No surprises here, Nio keeps things short and direct with the ET Preview, a concept car that previews an all-electric sedan series to join the hardcore performance EP9 and ES series SUVs. Nio doesn't have a whole lot to say about the ET Preview, letting the sharply styled sports sedan speak for itself without uttering a word. It is, however, showing its high-performance electric drive with 317-mile (510-km), high-density (NEDC) nickel-cobalt-manganese battery pack and front and rear motors. That sounds like it'd look pretty good below the ET's cool, white skin.

The fittingly named Nio ET Preview provides a preview of an upcoming electric sedan line

Speaking of skin, the ET Preview doesn't exactly shatter the mold created by Tesla and used by virtually every Chinese EV maker hoping to unseat Tesla as electric king. The car has the sporty, swept-back four-door profile, subtly accentuated fenders, and wide, sharp headlamps. Nio adds its own facial DNA with some extra bumper and body panel work, including the eye-catching fins below the headlamps, but overall, nothing particularly groundbreaking. The ET does benefit from a well-lit, center-of-the-room display, though, so it's sure to turn a few heads, if only because of effective merchandising.

Head to the photo gallery for more SUVs and crossovers, electric performance cars, and brands you probably won't read about again until next year's Auto China show.

View gallery - 85 images
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4 comments
Gizmowiz
Soon Americans will be buying predominately Chinese EV's and Detroit will go bankrupt.
ljaques
The Chevy Tracker looks IKEA Ready! :( I kinda like the Merc GLB and the weird Gyon. :) All the different colors are great, too. Purty paint. :) The chrome mouth grille on the Lexus Hearse is too hip for hop. :(
christopher
Beautiful, but, it's almost 2020, and you've *seen* their traffic - why do none of them fly?
Rossasaurus
What’s with the flat and high front ends? Highly un-aerodynamic and seems like it will reduce forward vision.