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Video: Volvo teases Concept Universe for Shanghai

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Volvo, Shanghai Motor Show

volvo universe concept

Volvo Concept Universe teaser – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Volvo has ambitious plans to double its current volume by 2020, and a big component of that plan is to penetrate the Chinese auto market. That plan makes abundant sense given the booming Chinese market, and it helps that the automaker is now owned by China’s Geely.

A major step toward reaching that goal comes when the Shanghai Motor Show opens to the media next week, as Volvo will unveil the Concept Universe. We are a little short on details at this point, but Volvo predictably saw fit to tease us ahead of its debut. The short post-jump video shows little more than some sketches, a large, covered vehicle, and an outline of a very sleek sedan.

Is the Concept Universe a precursor to a range-topping S90 that Geely chairman Li Shufu seems to want? Could it be a four-door coupe? Heck, some of the sketches almost make it look like like the big Volvo concept will be a fastback. We won’t know for sure until next week, but in the meantime, you can hit the jump to watch the video for yourself. Hat tip to Alex!

[Source: Autoblog.it]

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Video: Volvo teases Concept Universe for Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Citroën to launch new DS5 in Shanghai, on Facebook

Filed under: Citroën, Shanghai Motor Show, Luxury

With the DS3 hatchback already on the market and the DS4 crossover soon to reach dealers, Citroën has confirmed plans to launch the next model in its premium lineup next week at the Shanghai Motor Show.

We don’t know much about the DS5 at this point, except to assume that it’s likely based on the C5. Bearing in mind that the three-door DS3 is based on the five-door C3, and that the DS4 crossover is based on the C4 hatchback, there’s no telling what body-style the DS5 will carry on the back of the C5 sedan. Given the latest industry trends, we’re probably looking at a four-door coupe or five-door slant-back.

The car will be launched simultaneously with the Shanghai show floor debut on the French automaker’s Facebook page.

[Source: Citroën]

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Citroën to launch new DS5 in Shanghai, on Facebook originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show

Filed under: Crossover, Audi, Shanghai Motor Show, Diesel, Luxury

2012 Audi Q3

2012 Audi Q3 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi is apparently done teasing us with rendering after rendering of its new Q3 crossover. Instead, the German automaker has gone ahead and let the cat completely out of the bag ahead of the cute ‘ute’s official unveiling at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show.

As you’re likely already aware, the Q3 is Audi’s take on how to make a Volkswagen Tiguan into an entry-level luxury model. Naturally, that means entirely new sheetmetal with Audi’s well-known gaping grille along with LED lighting all around and a steeply sloping rear hatch. Add it all up and Audi says you get an impressively low drag coefficient of just 0.32.

That shapely rear hatch means there are a few concessions inside. There’s 16.24 cubic feet of storage capacity with the rear seats in place, and 48.2 with them folded down. The Tiguan, by way of comparison, offers 18.6 and 56.1, respectively, and even that is about 25 percent smaller than a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Judging by the shape of the hind quarters, large and bulky items may be a bit tough to fit inside as well.

You won’t be asked to skimp on options, though. Adaptive light technology that points the way forward, electronic parking assistance and Audi’s hard drive-based MMI infotainment and navigation system will all be available at launch, and an option to turn the Q3 into a wireless hotspot will come in the near future.

Two gasoline and one diesel engine, all with direct injection, will be offered at launch, offering between 140 and 211 horsepower. The two most powerful engines will be mated to Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. A 170-horsepower gasoline engine will also be offered with front-wheel drive. We’ll have to play a game of wait-and-see to find out which of these powertrains make their way Stateside.

Base price in Germany for the 2012 Audi Q3 will be 29,900 euros when it goes on sale in June. For those keeping track, that’s about $43,000 at the current exchange rate, though we wouldn’t go by that figure when estimating its cost when it eventually hits the U.S. Want to know more? Find all the details in the exhaustive press blast after the break.

Gallery: 2012 Audi Q3

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show

Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini teases Goodwood special en route to Shanghai

Filed under: Hatchback, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Shanghai Motor Show, Luxury

Mini Inspired by Goodwood teaser image

Mini Inspired by Goodwood – Click above for high-res image

The Shanghai Motor Show may not have ranked among the major expos of the year until recently, but automakers flocking to the Chinese show have put it on the map. And this year’s show – now just one week away – is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet.

In Shanghai, visitors will get their first glimpse of the BMW Concept M5, Mercedes-Benz A-Class concept, the new Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Envision crossover concept, Audi’s new Q3 and Subaru’s XV crossover concept, just to name a few. In short, there’s no lack of novelty at the show in China this year. And Mini won’t be sitting out the action, either.

As we reported last month, Mini will be presenting its Goodwood show car in Shanghai, and has now released the teaser image you see above. Officially called the Mini Inspired by Goodwood, it’s a joint effort between Mini and Rolls-Royce – the two English brands at the opposite ends of the BMW Group spectrum – Shanghai’ing, as it were, Rolls-Royce’s cabin craftsmen and putting them to work on a Mini’s interior, with a price tag that’ll land somewhere in between. Stay tuned for more as the show rapidly approaches.

[Source: Mini]

Mini teases Goodwood special en route to Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone hits Shanghai, says museum car auction may not happen after all

Filed under: Concept Cars, China, Europe, Earnings/Financials, Shanghai Motor Show

Bertone emblem

Our friends at legendary Italian design house Bertone had a small group of us over to its headquarters in Caprie just to the west of Turin in order to shed greater light on what the company’s current situation actually is. In brief, from the mouth of CEO Marco Filippa, contrary to reports that recent Fiat rumblings have put Bertone on the skids, the company is instead thriving in its own humble manner… sort of.

First sign of thrive-ery is the unveiling of three Bertone-executed showcar concepts at the upcoming Shanghai Motor Show, two of which are strictly for Chinese clients and a third being of potential global significance for General Motors’ joint partner SAIC, known also as Shanghai GM. Bertone’s holding company and Stile Bertone have signed up four of the top five Chinese brands for 2011 projects, along with a project with what some insiders say is BMW, and one more with the newly incorporated Fiat Industrial.

Awkward news reports insinuating that Fiat’s pause in investing in the manufacturing facility it bought from Bertone in late 2009 – and the announcement of six Bertone museum pieces being put up for sale by RM Auctions at the upcoming Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este – had many people concluding that Bertone was desperate for cash. “Not the case at all,” CEO Filippa has assured us.

Continue reading Bertone hits Shanghai, says museum car auction may not happen after all

Bertone hits Shanghai, says museum car auction may not happen after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Q3 sketches released ahead of Shanghai debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Audi, Shanghai Motor Show, Luxury

2012 Audi Q3

2012 Audi Q3 renderings – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has confirmed that its 2012 Q3 small crossover will receive its worldwide unveiling at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. Before the Q3 debuts in the metal, Audi has released a series of sketches hinting what we can expect in a few weeks time.

When the production Q3 debuts it will sit on Volkswagen Tiguan underpinnings, but will be considerably more shapely than its less costly cousin. If these sketches are to be believed, the Q3 owes a little somethin’ somethin’ to Audi’s Cross Coupe Quattro concept shown in Shanghai back in 2007.

The Tiguan’s engines and transmissions should carryover into the Q3, which means a turbo four producing around 200 horsepower with a diesel option for Europe.

Gallery: 2011 Audi Q3 sketches

2011 Audi Q3 sketches

[Source: Audi]

Audi Q3 sketches released ahead of Shanghai debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class hatches ahead of New York and Shanghai

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Shanghai Motor Show

mercedes-benz a-class concept

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Nearly four years ago we heard rumors that Mercedes-Benz was considering dropping the diminutive A-class from its lineup. Oh how times have changed. The German automaker is prepping an all-new A-class (M270), and we get some insight into what it will look like courtesy of the Concept A.

The Mercedes-Benz Concept A is a stylized version of the upcoming 2012 A-Class. Falling in line with the rest of the family, the squared-off nose is aggressive and wears the Tri-Star emblem well. From the side, the Concept A shows hints of the CLS and even the R-Class. Though most of the swoopy lines seen above are concept-cool, we expect the production A-Class to to share lots of design notes with the Concept A. Yet we doubt the star-filled nighttime sky grille will make the cut.

A front-wheel-drive Benz, the Concept A will benefit from both turbocharging and direct-injection. A BlueEFFICIENCY 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is fitted under the hood, and produces 210-horsepower. That four-banger is paired with a dual-clutch transmission.

More than a styling and propulsion exercise, the Concept A aims to add first-rate features to luxury compact segment. A radar-based collision-detection system will be the first of its kind in this segment and, when paired with Adaptive Brake Assist, can help lower the risk of having someone rear-end your 2012 A-Class.

We’ll get to see this concept car in person when it debuts at the 2011 New York Auto Show. Mercedes is also bringing the Concept A to Auto Shangai 2011. Until we can bring you live images, the gallery below will have to do. Be sure to click past the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Concept

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Concept

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class hatches ahead of New York and Shanghai

Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class hatches ahead of New York and Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Nissan Tiida hatch (pronounced: “Versa”) caught ahead of Shanghai reveal

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Hatchback, Nissan

Yesterday, we told you that the 2012 Nissan Versa is coming to the New York Auto Show later this month, and today we can show you exactly what its JDM counterpart will look like. Above is a completely undisguised photo of the Tiida hatchback as it sits in a parking lot in China. The hatch shares a virtually identical front end to that of the Versa sketch Nisan showed us back in October. The Tiida also shares a platform with the already in production Sunny, which shows that a sedan variant is also likely.

The spy photo shows highly stylized headlamps and a grille that is framed in chrome. The lower fascia is agape, framed by a pair of similarly large fog lamp openings. Overall styling of the Tiida appears to be a bit more conservative than competitors like the Ford Fiesta, though it’s a clear improvement compared to the outgoing Versa. Another spy photo, which is available on autoincar.com, shows that the Tiida carries a Direct Injection Gas 1.6 liter turbo engine, which currently pumps out 188 horsepower under the hood of the Juke, though we’d be very surprised if the Versa gets that kind of power – a naturally aspirated 1.6 will likely be offered.

We’ll see how close this spy shot of the Tiida is to the production 2012 Versa when it is unveiled in New York later this month.

[Source: Auto In Car]

Spy Shots: 2012 Nissan Tiida hatch (pronounced: “Versa”) caught ahead of Shanghai reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe gets early unveiling ahead of Shanghai

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW, Shanghai Motor Show, Luxury

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has just given us an early preview of the 2012 6 Series Coupe in Munich ahead of its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show, and as you’d expect, the all-new hardtop 6er simply adds a fixed roof and a Hofmeister Kink to the cabrio we sampled earlier this year.

Head designer Karim Habib tells Autoblog that he drew most of his inspiration from BMW’s iconic 3.0 CS produced in the late 60s and early 70s – particularly the elongated wheelbase, endless hood and upright, sharknose grille that just so happens to conform to the EU’s pedestrian impact standards. The fascia benefits from full LED headlamps and triple-element foglamps (optional on both the coupe and cabrio), along with lower, wider kidney grilles that – when compared to the 7 Series’ vertical slats – come off as less pinstripe-like and more aggressive; toothy, even.

Underneath that expansive hood lies BMW’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, producing 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque – identical to its drop-top sibling. An eight-speed automatic gearbox shuttles power to the rear wheels, allowing the coupe to hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds before topping out at the electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

According to BMW officials, the cabrio was introduced before the coupe because it makes up 60 percent of 6 Series volume in the U.S., the 6er’s largest market. BMW hasn’t released an official curb weight for the coupe, but it has confirmed that it will be lighter than its 4,500-pound convertible brethren. Sales are set to begin this Fall and should command slightly less than the cab’s $90,000 point of entry.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

Gallery: 2012 BMW 6 Series coupe

2012 BMW 6 Series coupe

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe gets early unveiling ahead of Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW M5 Concept leaked ahead of Shanghai debut

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, Shanghai Motor Show

BMW M5 Concept

BMW Concept M5 – Click above for image gallery

The 2012 BMW M5? Here it is in the “concept” form that will make its official debut later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show, courtesy of photos leaked from an embargoed preview event held this weekend in Germany.

As is BMW’s wont when it comes to these things, “concept” simply means, “This is exactly what the production car looks like, and we’ll reveal the rest of the juicy details at a future date. And maybe the production wheels won’t be black.”

Of course, some stuff related to the F10 M5 is pretty much set in stone already, courtesy of Chris Harris’ first drive for Evo magazine.

The twin-turbo V8 should out-power the one in the X6M, which makes 546 horsepower.
Shifts come via a seven-speed DCT.
Selectable driving programs include Comfort, Sport, and Sport-Plus, plus the let-it-all-hang-out M Driving Mode.

Snap judgement: this is the best-looking BMW M vehicle since the E39 M5, and whatever BMW’s cooked up underhood should have no problem backing up the looks. Stay tuned for more info on the BMW Concept M5 as we receive it.

Gallery: 2012 BMW Concept M5

[Source: Transmissia.net via M5Board via Motor Authority]

2012 BMW M5 Concept leaked ahead of Shanghai debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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