Guangzhou Auto Show round up 2021

XPeng G9

Hailed by many as the star of the show, it is certainly one of the standout cars. But the XPeng G9 doesn’t take too many chances on the design front, repeating a now familiar formula. Possibly the most important design element isn’t actually on the car itself, but XPeng’s new logo. This now apes more the family face of XPeng with cut outs in the X-shape which give the impression of headlights.

The XPeng G9 is the first model to feature the new logo on the now familiar robot family face. Driving the car is the new XPilot 4.0 system which gives start to park driving assistance. Lidar forms part of the related sensor suite and the G9 buries these in the headlight cluster. It is XPeng’s first model to be designed from the outset with both domestic and international markets in mind. A high waistline runs the length of the car and divides it according to the golden ratio and there is a short, front overhang together with a long rear overhang. The G9 benefits from the XPower 3.0 powertrain, one of the first 800V platforms in China, allowing the car to add 200km of range in five minutes when charged at a 480kWh outlet.

Ora Ballet Cat

Great Wall’s Ora brand caused quite a stir when it first showed the Punk Cat concept at the Shanghai Auto Show this year, thanks to it evoking the original Volkswagen Beetle. The Ballet Cat is the Punk Cat’s sister car and channels a more feminine side. Ora was Great Wall’s first electric brand and aims to bring fun, affordable EVs to the masses and in this respect the Ballet Cat fits the bill perfectly.

Ora collaborated with the colour agency Pantone to create Ora Pink especially for this car. Creating gender specific cars is certainly unusual but with the amount of attention the Ballet Cat attracted it looks as if it will pay off. The main differences are down to the exterior colour and the interior. Outside the car gets a two tone pain job using Ora Pink and white. Inside the car feels much lighter thanks to these colours extending to the dashboard and highlighting. Inserts on the dashboard and doors get flower patterns. Compared with the concept, the now production ready car has a parred down more conventional interior with a long swathe of glass going from the driver to the middle of the dashboard and less retro air vents.

GAC Time concept

GAC unveiled a pair of concepts at Guangzhou. The Time concept follows on from the ENO.146 concept from two years ago but looks at how an aerodynamic tear drop shape can be used for a luxury flagship saloon EV. Although not as slippery as the ENO.146, it still manages a drag coefficient of 0.191 - aerodynamics are one of the key weapons for increasing range without adding weight. It’s achieved using a rounded front and smooth surfaces. The platform allows for a better optimisation of space between the wheels and the whole car leans slightly forward.

The most striking aspect of the design, though, is the interior. Aimed at creating a peaceful environment with curved lines which GAC equate to a tranquil pond, the seating is in the style of limousine wrapping around the driver’s seat. The L-shaped sofa redefines the relationship between the occupants and space. Lidar and sensors are embedded on the body to give an L4 autonomous driving experience.

Chery QQ Ice Cream

The original Chery QQ is an iconic car in China’s automotive history due to sales, cultural influence and controversy in near equal measures. Thanks to largely being a knock off of a Daewoo Matiz (Chevrolet Spark), design cannot be added to that list. Fast forward nearly two decades and the name has been resurrected for an EV.

It’s easy to dismiss the car as a copy of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, China’s best selling electric microcar, but the QQ Ice Cream might well be better. Where this really shows is with the interior which seems far more car like. The Ice Cream in the name is for added sweetness and if some of the concepts on the Chery stand are anything to go by, the company fully intends to riff off this. On the Game Station concept there is a screen and game controllers. Interestingly this version gets much plusher velvet like trim over the dashboard. It seems that the central screen is at least an option on standard models as all cars have a mount for it.

Neta S

Last year’s Beijing Auto Show saw the debut of the Eureka 03 concept from Hozon brand Neta. Just over a year later the Neta S shows the production ready version of the concept. Neta have done a good job with preserving the concept’s sleek lines to produce a 4 door EV sports coupe very much in the style of the XPeng P7. Where the production version differs substantially is with its parred down headlights and how the roofline meets the tail.

Currently the Neta range consists of small hatchbacks and the Neta S is a significant step up in size. Added to that is greatly increased capability thanks to the tie up with Huawei, delivering L4 autonomous capability – the Neta S will have six Lidar units. Due to go on sale before the end of 2022 it will come in two versions: an all electric with 800km (NEDC) range and a range extender with 1,100km. Claimed acceleration time is 3.9s.

Voyah Dreamer

Dongfeng’s upmarket electric brand’s first model the Voyah Free went on sale earlier this year and has so far struggled. Dongfeng therefore need more success from the second model, what’s claimed to be the world’s first electric MPV. Technically related to the Free it will likely come in both pure electric and PHEV versions. Acceleration for the BEV version of the Dreamer is claimed to be just 5.9s.

In China MPVs are often seen as a status symbol for business people and the Dreamer is certainly squared at this market. The huge grille gives the car presence, but it is the interior that really delivers the luxury. A four-seater, at least for the show model, the rear passengers get two throne style seats complete with electrically controlled footrests. A solid partition separates the back from the front and from which a screen can rise. Rear passengers can control functions such as this and the seats from a touchscreen mounted between the two seats.

Hycan Concept S

Hycan is a one of the myriad of largely unknown Chinese EV producers; a joint venture between Nio and GAC they currently produce two SUVs. At the show Hycan showed a concept for an MPV and the Concept S – a sleek sports saloon.

The concept features a thin strip of lights both at the front and back. A low roofline rakes sharply back towards the tail. Narrow wing mirrors add to the promise that the car is slippery and will likely have blistering pace. Certainly the red colour is designed to set pulses racing.

Audi A8L Horch

August Horch founded what eventually became Audi. His family name is now set to grace the most luxurious version of the Audi brand with an eye to competing with Maybach versions of Mercedes models. Currently a China only model the car gains a 130mm boost to the wheelbase over the existing A8L. The main external differences other than the length are the Horch badges on the front wings along with an exclusive emblem for the wheels and C–pillars.

As can be expected the car is mainly about rear seat comfort. Greeting occupants on opening the doors is another Horch badge on the door sill and inside there are two electrically adjustable seats. The centre console runs the length of the passenger compartment and the front passenger seat can be moved forward by the rear passenger and has a fold out foot rest on the back of the seat making the car more of a three-seater. In between the two seats is a control panel for the electric seats along with a touchscreen to control other functions. The front seats have back mounted screens for rear passenger entertainment and use.

GWM Poer Super Pickup concept

This mad looking lowrider pickup concept might actually be set for production – Great Wall are currently asking for suggestions for a name. Based on the P-series King Kong Cannon it gets fully pimped. Riding much lower than the base vehicle it get a body kit which gives the truck huge flared wheel arches. The front wheel arches lead into a massive grille designed to strike the living fear out of any vehicle it approaches. Great Wall says it’s designed in a HellaFlush style to appeal to young customers.

Honda e:NP1 and e:NS1

Honda first showed its SUV e: concept at last year’s Beijing Auto Show. This has grown into these two production EVs one for each of its JVs in China with GAC and Dongfeng respectively. Similar in style to the HR-V, the pair are longer and lower. Dongfeng’s e:NS1 seems sportier in style with piped seats and colourful inserts and stitching on the interior. It also comes with a spoiler above the tail lights.

Both come with a 15.2 inch screen which appears divided into different function categories and which controls most functions. There is also a fully digital instrument cluster. The models are likely to be first cars to feature Honda Sensing 360, the next generation driving assistance system from Honda. While initially announced for the China market, exports are a distinct possibility.