BAIC's Beijing motor show stand was dominated by a huge (5.2m-long) C90L concept car powered by a 6.0-litre V12 engine.
The BAIC C90L's engine was originally based on a "German" design, according to sources. The final design work was partly completed by BAIC’s own designers and partly by Italian styling house Fioravanti.
The rear three quarter view and the semi-fastback tail was, said Italian sources, designed to "look British". BAIC’s stated aim is to become the first "premium Chinese" luxury brand and the C90L marks the beginning of what the company is said to recognise as a long haul to achieve that aim.
Another Fioravanti-guided concept saloon is also on the way from the company.
Elsewhere, BAIC revealed a new home-grown domestic model, the E150 which is a scaled-down but very close copy (inside and out) of the outgoing Mercedes B-Class. The most intriguing version was the E150 REEV, a range-extender electric version, which uses a 795cc two-cylinder engine as a generator, backing up the 13kWh battery. Top speed is limited to 70mph.
The BAIC C51X concept SUV was one of the most impressive of the domestic offerings at the Beijing show, but information on the vehicle was limited to its name and length. Alongside it was the BV40, a much more basic and the rather more traditional take on the off-roader.
Hilton Holloway
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Re: Beijing show: BAIC's V12 luxury saloon
The BAIC C90L was originally "based on" a German design.
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