At first sight, the Beijing Auto Show seems an odd choice for Audi to launch its new mid-sized SUV that will compete with established premium models such as the BMW X3 or Land Rover Freelander. But Audi is the strongest premium brand in China and the SUV sector was the fastest growing area of the market last year.
Although we could not confirm it, the Q5 appears to be based on the VW Tiguan platform, with its deep doors that extend into the rocker panels. However, the Q5 is 200mm longer and doesn't share any common exterior panels with its VW sibling. The exterior design is a thoroughly orthodox development of current Audi themes: a mix of Avant and Q7 ideas housed in a deeper body section than one is used to seeing. The rear relates most strongly to the Q7, with its full-width powered tailgate design, where the tail lamps open with the tailgate and auxiliary lamps in the bumper house the mandatory lamp functions. The front end is a deeper version of the A4 face with yet another variation on the LED running lamps motif acting as the key DRG identifier for the new model. Having said all that, the Q5 will still be the sportiest looking SUV in its class.
The basic interior uses common hardware from the A4 but houses it in a unique IP design that is a reversal of the A4/A6 theme where the center stack links to the driver's binnacle: here it links to the passenger side of the IP. The sliding rear seat features a seatback split into three sections, with a recline function and simple one-fold action to extend the load bay and a trunk that includes typical sliding rails and storage straps familiar to any Avant owner.
Dimensions: Length 4630mm; Height 1650mm; Wheelbase 2810mm
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Red Flag is the China's oldest and most formal domestic brand, owned by FAW and best known for producing the limousines favored by government officials. So this concept is China's answer to the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 or Range Rover.
Talking to CDN, chief designer Zhang Changlin explained the cultural influences that inform the design. "These are particularly rooted in military symbols. The grille represents Tian'anmen Square, with the flanking headlamps (and taillamps) modeled on an ancient Chinese bayonet and waving flags". At the same time, to our eyes, the front end also reminds of the Lincoln Navigator with its vertical grille bars and the red hood ornament, while the foglamps in the bumper are taken directly from the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The powerful impression of the concept is emphasized by 22-inch wheels, pronounced wheelarches and unusual air intake slots in the side cheeks of the front and rear bumpers. However this is undermined by the front wheelarch design, which is very unbalanced to the surrounding volumes of the car. Sadly, the surfacing on the model was also not refined, with hollows in the lightlines at the base of the A-pillar and through the doors.
By contrast, the interior is striking and airy, helped by the panorama glass roof and ivory color. A silver-painted shallow console splits each pair of seats and houses touch controls for most functions, featuring blue-illuminated screens used both here and for the main dials and paddle controls behind the steering wheel for the gearshift.
According to Zhang, a range of V12, V8 or V6 engines would be available for a production version. In all, the Red Flag concept is a brave step for China's oldest domestic brand but in many ways it's a logical step: after all, a premium SUV does indeed represent the ultimate dream of many Chinese customers.
Dimensions: Length 4805mm; Width 2000mm; Height 1800mm; Wheelbase 2850mm
According to several Chinese designers we spoke to, this was the star of the show. The Geely GT Tiger represents another type of dream car: a low-slung front-engined luxury GT, in the mold of a Maserati or Aston Martin and therefore symbolizes the increasing ambition of manufacturers such as Geely, China's second biggest-selling domestic brand.
The side view is characterized by a falling shoulder line that crosses over in mid-door to a kicked-up haunch over the rear wheel. While the overall proportions and stance are OK, this fender line into the door is flawed as, not only is it slightly sagging, but the highest peak occurs forward of the wheel (in the headlamp area) rather than directly over the front wheel. The front face is the most controversial area, appearing either aquatic or somewhat vulgar, depending on one's viewpoint. The side edges curl up to meet the fender peak at the vertical headlamps, while the center of the hood appears a little overblown towards the front. The large grille has four parts to it: a black Y-shaped inlet at the top, then a broad pair of V-shaped chrome wings, beneath that a body-colored panel containing a series of chromed oval slots and finally a deep open mouth with a protruding splitter at the base - in all, too many elements and all a bit overdesigned. Details to note include the new black and red Geely shield logo used here for the first time that resembles the Cadillac emblem and the 'Tiger' motif that fills the rear quarter window.
By contrast, the rear end design of this milled model is interesting, with a short rear deck and very curved plan form. Slashes of chrome enliven the composition around the taillamps, tailpipes and above the license plate.
