According to China's statistics, the passenger car market here is the biggest in the world. It became the largest in 2009, and has remained the largest ever since. In 2015, automakers sold 21.1 million passenger cars, up 7.3 percent from 2014. Following that, the first half of 2016 showed an upward growth again with 12 percent, thanks to the tax reduction for cars that have an engine capacity of up to 1.6-litres - a regulation that was introduced in October 2015.
This explains why carmakers from all over the world are taking part in the Shanghai Motor Show, one of the largest automotive exhibition in the world. Founded in 1985, the Shanghai Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai) takes place only once in every two years. This year, themed 'Committed to Better Life', the Shanghai show sports over 2,000 exhibitors from over 18 countries.
Here are some of the highlights from the show:
Audi e-tron Sportback ConceptUnlike the Sportback models from Audi, this concept rides higher and is an all-electric model. According to Audi, the e-tron Sportback concept is designed to spearhead a production model that's due some time in 2019.
Powered by three electric motors, the e-tron Sportback is good for 429bhp. If that's not enough, it has a boost mode that will up that figure to a 496bhp.
This allows the concept car to finish the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.5 seconds.
In contrast, the smaller Audi RS3 Sportback hot hatch does the same sprint in 4.3 seconds.
Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e concept
Making its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show, the EXP 12 Speed 6e concept is a pure electric vehicle from Bentley that allows the luxury carmaker to gauge public opinion and customer feedback to shape Bentley's future luxury strategy. Bentley believes that the concept will open discussions with luxury car buyers of the future - millennials and the rising affluent in developing economies - to better understand
The luxury brand's electric car strategy includes the introduction of PHEV models across the Bentley model range over the next few years, starting with the Bentayga in 2018.
BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase
The wheelbase of the new 5 Series has been stretched by 133mm to create the China-only 5 Series Long Wheelbase (Li), taking the overall length to 5,069mm. This is just 29mm shorter than the length of the standard wheelbase BMW 7 Series.
The 5 Series Li features a 2.0-litre in-line four as well as a 3.0-litre in-line six powerplants underneathe its bonnet.
Also at the BMW stand was the BMW X2 concept car, which will go head on with the Audi Q2 when it goes into production.
BMW M4 CS
BMW M GmbH presented an exclusive limited-run special edition model in the shape of the new BMW M4 CS.
Filling up the gap between the M4 Coupe Competition Package and the track-focused BMW M4 GTS, the M4 CS sports a 3.0-litre that's capable of 460 horses, 10bhp more than the M4 Competition Package. This effectively allows the car to finish the century sprint in just 3.9 seconds flat before hitting a top speed of 280km/h.
Details of when the car is coming to Singapore is still unknown as of press time.
Infiniti QX50 concept
Making its Asean debut in Shanghai and showcasing Infiniti's vision for the next generation mid-size premium sport utility vehicle, the QX50 concept made its global premiere in Detroit earlier this year.
According to Infiniti, the four-cylinder powerplant in the concept demonstrates the brand's advanced Variable Compression Turbo engine, which offers drivers more power and better efficiency. Performance figures are targeted at 270bhp and 390Nm of torque.
It is currently unknown when the car will progress to its production stage as yet.
Jaguar I-PACE
Going against the Tesla Model X and possibly the aforementioned Audi e-tron Sportback, the Jaguar I-PACE will be ready to go on sale as early as the second half of 2018.
The I-PACE that you see here is more than just an electric version of the handsome Jaguar F-PACE as the car will sport four-wheel drive capability as well as high-performance strength, thanks to two electric motors that are integrated into each axle.
With each motor producing 197 horses, the I-PACE will have some 400bhp and an instantaneous 700Nm of torque on tap, allowing it to take just four seconds to complete the century sprint.
Interestingly, apart from being ranked as one of the largest car markets in the world, China also wants to be ahead of the pack for the trending topics of electric mobility and autonomous driving, which is why the show in Shanghai focuses on alternative drive systems, autonomous driving as well as connected cars.
Lamborghini Huracan Performante Capable of pushing out 640bhp and 600Nm of twisting force, the Lamborghini Huracan Performante is the most powerful V10 powerplant ever produced by the Italian carmaker and has taken the Shanghai Motor Show by storm.
Known for its thrilling performance and its lap record on the Nurburgring Nordschleife as a new production car, the Huracan Performante was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last month.
Also appearing alongside the Huracan Performante is the 6.5-litre V12 Lamborghini Aventador S.
Lexus NX
This facelifted model sports refreshed looks up front, with tweaks made to the headlamps, grille and front bumpers. Dubbed the NX300, it will be powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine while the hybrid variant will be fuelled by a bigger 2.5-litre powerplant.
Like the recently reviewed facelifted Lexus IS Turbo, the NX also sports a bigger infotainment display, increasing its size from seven inches to 10.3 inches.
The Lexus NX300 should be launched in Singapore in the first quarter of next year. The Hybrid model will follow after.
McLaren 570GT Commemorative Edition
Alongside the recently launched McLaren 720S is the unveiling of the McLaren 570GT Commemorative Edition. As its name suggest, the 570GT has been created to mark three years of McLaren sales success in China.
Similar to its regular variant that was that was premiered at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the car here sports a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 powerplant allows the car to send 562bhp (570PS - to match the name) and 600Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Only three examples of the Commemorative Edition will be produced.
MINI John Cooper Works Countryman
The high-performance MINI Countryman makes its first public debut in Shanghai. Equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that's capable of 231bhp and 350Nm of twisting force, the MINI JCW Countryman will complete the century sprint in a respectable 6.5 seconds.
Looks wise, the car is every bit as aggressive as its performance figures, thanks to large air intakes and hot red calipers.
This car will cost you $218,000 (guaranteed COE) and is available only on an indent basis for our Singapore market.
Volkwagen I.D. Crozz Crossover concept
Following the world debuts of the Volkswagen I.D. at the Paris Motor Show in 2016 and the I.D. Buzz in Detroit this year, the Crozz Crossover is the third version in the I.D. lineup.
Based on the new Modular Electric Drive kit (MEB) vehicle architecture, which will correspond with key mobility requirements of the future for pure electric vehicles, the Crozz Crossover produces 302bhp, a top speed of 180km/h and can cover up to 500km on one battery charge.
More impressively and relevantly, the concept is capable of autonomous driving. When activated, the multifunctional steering wheel cooly retracts into the dashboard and fuses with the digitalised instruments to form a single unit.
The first I.D. vehicle is set to go on sale in 2020.
