The Beijing motor show is almost here, with plenty of big-name new car reveals expected from the likes of Audi, Bentley, Citroën, Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot. The show opens its doors on 20 April, and Autocar's team of journalists and photographers will be bringing you all the latest action from the show floor.
Models we're particularly excited to see include Bentley's first-ever hybrid model, based on the Mulsanne, and Citroën's WRC-inspired DS 5LS R. Scroll down the list below to find your favourite pre-show star, and see more pictures of models we're expecting in Beijing in the gallery above.
The newest hybrid SUV concept to emerge from Ingolstadt is a high-riding, five-door off-roader with similar design cues to Audi's Allroad Shooting Brake car from Detroit. With styling heavily influenced by the new TT, the Q4 is powered by a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.
A new concept car based on the Mulsanne will preview the latest hybrid powertrain destined for use in Bentley's forthcoming SUV, due in 2017. The Hybrid Concept offers a 25 per cent increase in power and a 70 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to a standard Mulsanne.
A high-performance version of Citroën's existing China-only DS 5LS saloon, the DS 5LS R features more muscular styling and distinctive anodised paintwork. Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 300bhp and 221lb ft of torque.
The French firm's new luxury DS model will be revealed in Beijing, and could represent the final production form of Citroën's long-awaited Wild Rubis SUV. If that's true, the new model is expected to enter production later this year, badged as the Citroën DS X7. It would sit alongside the firm's existing DS models, including the DS4 and DS5.
Hyundai's new compact SUV is based on the current i20, and has only so far been seen winter testing ahead of its Beijing reveal. It's part of a joint venture beween BAIC and Hyundai, and while it's only planned to be sold in China at the moment the global booming compact SUV market could lead to this becoming a new global car.
The F1-inspired Q50 Eau Rouge concept car has been a regular visitor to recent motor shows, and we now know Infiniti is running a feasability study to see if it could become a production reality. Current F1 champion Sebastian Vettel has been testing the car in the UK in his role as Infiniti's director of performance. Power comes from the same twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine as the Nissan GT-R.
Add your comment