Big brands come out strong in Beijing

Last year’s Shanghai auto show proved to be something of a coming out for China’s auto industry, which made rapid progress during the COVID-19 pandemic and seems poised to offer its wares to the global market.

The number of innovative debuts from Beijing Auto 2024 further cemented that impression, and shows that the Chinese automotive industry is intent on keeping the proverbial pedal to the metal.

Zeekr Mix

Zeekr unveiled its all-electric MPV with futuristic, pod-like styling and a highly innovative interior configuration. The Mix has front and rear sliding doors on the passenger side, while the driver’s door opens on a traditional hinge. Both rows of seats and the center console of this MPV are mounted on sliding tracks, and the front row can be completely turned around in order to face the rear passengers. Underneath is a rear-mounted single motor powertrain making 400bhp, though no information has been released regarding battery capacity or range.

Changan Qiyuan E07

Continuing the theme of versatile and innovative packaging solutions is an SUV/truck combination from state-owned automaker Changan. The E07, which has earned the nickname of “Chinese Cybertruck”, combines a retractable glass bed cover and foldable bed separator with retractable glass to transform from a pickup truck to an SUV. This new design should help buyers skirt regulations that ban pickup trucks from many Chinese city centers. Changan says that the E07 will have single and dual motor EV powertrains making anywhere from 340-600bhp.

Hongqi L1

Hongqi, China’s oldest automaker and the official transporter of China’s highest-level government officials, debuted its latest model. Part of the brand’s Sunflower series, the L1 is a luxury sedan that’s longer in both overall length and wheelbase than an S-Class L. The Sunflower series, which isn’t available for sale through normal Hongqi dealerships, emphasises the customisability of its models. That includes interior trim, such as the blue cloth material featured on one of the show cars.

MG EXE181

MG has been enjoying success in Europe’s burgeoning EV market, but the star of the brand’s stand wasn’t its production models like the MG4 or Cyberster. Instead, all eyes were on the EXE181 concept, an homage to the 1959 MG EX181 that set a land speed record of 254.91 mph. MG says that the remarkably low concept car has a Cd of just 0.181 and can reach 62 mph in 1.9 seconds thanks to a quad-motor powertrain. The interior can hold a single occupant who steers the vehicle via a yoke.

M-HERO M-Hunter

The M-HERO brand has expanded its range of quasi-military SUVs by introducing a hardcore, stripped-down off-road version of the 917 model, called the M-Hunter. Gone are the doors and windshield, replaced a red roll cage and simple bars for doors. The more sedate 917, which still has Desert Eagle hand guns for interior door handles, features both range-extended EV and EV powertrains making anywhere from 800-1000bhp. Prices have yet to be announced, but are likely to start well over one million RMB (~£110,000) when it goes into production.

Fangchengbao Bao 8

Fangchangbao is the premium off-road brand for EV giant BYD, and Beijing saw the debut of its latest and largest SUV. The Bao 8 is a Toyota Land Cruiser-sized three-row SUV that will sit at the top of brand’s lineup when it goes on sale in Q3 2024. The styling follows the recent trend towards a return to traditional boxy SUV shapes, with some hints of the U8 from BYD’s flagship Yangwang brand. The Bao 8 will feature a PHEV powertrain and a LiDAR-powered driver assistance system with highway and city “Navigate on Autopilot” (NOA) functionality, dubbed Eye of the Gods.

Fangchengbao Super 9

Fangchengbao is BYD’s premium off-road brand, unless you count the newly released Super 9 electric roadster, of course. Penned by BYD head designer Wolfgang Egger, the roofless, scissor-doored Super 9 is said to be going into production with a pure electric powertrain. No word on a specific release date, but the Super 9 shown at a BYD press event prior to the show had the number “30” on the side. Next year is BYD’s 30^th anniversary, so 2025 seems to be a likely candidate for the debut of a production version.

Yangwang U7

The flagship sedan for BYD’s flagship brand, the U7 carries over both the C-shaped headlight design and 1300bhp e4 quad motor powertrain of the Yangwang U9 super car. Yangwang claims the 5,265mm-long sedan has a drag coefficient of just 0.195, the lowest for any mass-produced vehicle. It will also utilise a new version of BYD’s DiSus suspension called DiSus-Z, replacing the hydraulic shock absorbers of the Yangwang U8 and U9 with electric motors. This system is said to be able to recover energy from the movement of the suspension and use that energy to charge the batteries.

iCAR X25

iCAR is a new brand from Chery with a focus on pure electric and range-extended vehicles. The X25 is its first non-SUV model, though its exterior design walks the line between MPV and SUV thanks to beefy fenders, bumpers and rear mounted spare tire. iCAR representatives at the auto show told CDN that it will go into production, with sales said to start some time in 2025.

Robocar 07

The 07 is the second model from the Geely-Baidu joint venture, following its 01 SUV. It features a simple, smooth profile with strong rear haunches, and has already earned it the iF Design and Red Dot design awards. The 07 will feature the same Baidu-developed infotainment and driver assistance as the 01. It will also have the same 75- and 100-kWh batteries, though no information on range has been released.

Mini Aceman

Mini brought out the production version of the Aceman, which it describes as a small SUV. The Aceman will fit between the Cooper and Countryman in the automaker’s lineup, and be offered with two different single electric motor powertrains. The interior features a vibrant mix of materials and colours, all built around the classic circular display.

Changan Mazda EZ-6

Foreign manufacturers have struggled to create competitive EV and PHEV offerings in the Chinese market, and an increasing number of them are turning to their local joint venture partners for a leg up. The Mazda EZ-6 is based on the Deepal SL03 sedan from state-owned automaker Changan, and will use its electric and extended-range powertrains. Changan Deepal also makes an SUV model called the S7, which could underpin future Mazda models from this joint venture.