The best new car debuts at Auto Shanghai 2025
29 Apr 2025|2,312 views
Taking place from 23 April to 2 May 2025, the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai) is a massive motor show that features over 1,000 exhibitors.
It's also telling the significance of the Chinese market that many established non-Chinese brands are also taking to Auto Shanghai to showcase their latest products, debut new models, and in many cases unveil China-exclusive models.
Here are some of the notable car launches that you should know about:
Yup, AUDI, not Audi. AUDI is Audi's China-only sub-brand, and the brand marked its official introduction with the E5 Sportback. Where Audi cars so far tend to deliver a more subdued design aesthetic, the E5 Sportback is much more overt in styling (it is for the China market, after all). And come on, it's a wagon, and we love wagons. Pity it won't make it out of China.
Chance of coming to SG: None
2. Deepal S09
Launched for pre-sale earlier in the year but making its public debut in Shanghai, the six-seater S09 slots itself in now as the flagship of Changan Automobile's Deepal range.
As a range-extended EV, its powertrain is interesting enough in itself, but the S09 packs some serious tech that should turn heads: Two 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreens up front, and a centre console that doesn't just double up as a fridge, but can slide between the first and second rows with a few taps. Between this and the Zeekr 9X you'll see below, the Chinese are truly making their presence felt in the luxury-SUV scene.
Chance of coming to SG: Possible
3. Honda GT
It may be slightly confusing, as it's called both the GAC Honda GT and Dongfeng Honda GT (Honda has joint ventures with both GAC and Dongfeng), and each model is styled slightly differently from the other. Whichever the name, it is quite cool – an all electric fastback with a hyper-modern cabin. Sadly, it's slated to be a China-exclusive model(s).
Chance of coming to SG: None
4. JETOUR Zongheng G900
Have we officially entered an era where sub-brands have their own sub-brands? Auto Shanghai saw Chery Group's SUV offshoot, JETOUR, putting an entire booth up for its JETOUR Zongheng lineup, with the G900 standing as a good show of its luxury-SUV vision. Sheer presence (and heavy Rolls-Royce Cullinan inspiration) aside, it's meant to tackle seriously challenging terrain: With triple differential locks and a ladder composite frame.
Chance of coming to SG: Unclear; the JETOUR brand recently made its debut in Malaysia and is currently constructing a factory in the country too, but it remains to be seen if the Zongheng sub-brand will make it too.
5. Lexus ES
Lexus debuted the all-new 8th generation ES, and the big news is that it will be offered with both hybrid and all-electric powertrains, indicative of the brands multi-pathway approach. It does get quite a bold exterior redesign, leaning into a next-gen BEV aesthetic. Inside, the ES debuts what Lexus calls Responsive Hidden Switches. As the brand's long-standing executive sedan offering, we're certain that the hybrid model will be launched in Singapore, though its less certain if the EV variants will be introduced as well.
Chance of coming to SG: 100%
6. Mazda EZ-60
Mazda debuted the new EZ-60 (it will be called the CX-6e globally), an obvious Tesla Model Y competitor. It is launched with two powertrain variants - a fully-electric model, as well as a range-extender plug-in hybrid. We understand that the fully-electric variant will be introduced to Singapore.
Chance of coming to SG: Very likely
7. Nissan N7
The product of Nissan's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor, the all-new Nissan N7 joins the Japanese carmaker's fully electric lineup, rides on a 400V architecture, and is offered with either 58kWh or 73kWh battery packs good for 510km and 635km of range respectively. It's also front-wheel drive only, with output standing at either 160kW or 200kW.
First images suggest an interior that's more Chinese than Japanese (read: touchscreen-heavy, button-light), but its styling is inarguably Nissan-like - which is to say, subtle but very handsome.
Chance of coming to SG: Unclear, since the sedan has only been confirmed for the Chinese market so far.
8. Ora 07 Touring
Fan of the Ora 07's nostalgic interior, but think you could use a bit more headroom in the second row? GWM's Ora 07 Touring might well be the perfect answer, offering not just extra practicality, but arguably better looks too, with its wagon-profile.
While technical details were not revealed at the show, the standard 07 is offered internationally in either single-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive variants - and it's fair to expect the 07 Touring to follow suit.
Chance of coming to SG: Possible, since the 07 has already made the swim here.
Unsurprisingly, the atmosphere at Shanghai's NECC skewed heavily electric - and quite literally too, given the range of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) dominating the glitzy booths. Going defiantly against the grain, however, Porsche's Auto Shanghai-debutante was a celebration of old-school charm.
Well, mostly at least; the 911 Spirit 70 pays homage to the late 70s and early 80s with all sorts of retro styling cues, but bows slightly to electrification by relying on the T-Hybrid 911 GTS Cabrio as its technical basis. Porsche states that this special edition is limited to 1,500 units worldwide. Which means if you've just started to ponder over whether you should buy one, you probably already can't.
Chance of coming to SG: Confirmed, but in highly limited units
10. Zeekr 9X
The debut of the Zeekr 9X marks the brand's first non-BEV model. Featuring a 'Super Hybrid' powertrain that offers both immense performance as well as a claimed 380km of all-electric range, the plug-in hybrid system here represents a new take on electrification. Sitting at the top of the brand's product lineup alongside the 009, it's also packed with all the luxury, features and technology that you could want.
Chance of coming to SG: Possible
Don't forget to check out what we've seen in previous motor shows across the globe!
12 cars you shouldn't miss at the 2025 Singapore Motor Show
Coolest production cars and concepts of Beijing Auto Show 2024
Taking place from 23 April to 2 May 2025, the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai) is a massive motor show that features over 1,000 exhibitors.
It's also telling the significance of the Chinese market that many established non-Chinese brands are also taking to Auto Shanghai to showcase their latest products, debut new models, and in many cases unveil China-exclusive models.
Here are some of the notable car launches that you should know about:
Yup, AUDI, not Audi. AUDI is Audi's China-only sub-brand, and the brand marked its official introduction with the E5 Sportback. Where Audi cars so far tend to deliver a more subdued design aesthetic, the E5 Sportback is much more overt in styling (it is for the China market, after all). And come on, it's a wagon, and we love wagons. Pity it won't make it out of China.
Chance of coming to SG: None
2. Deepal S09
Launched for pre-sale earlier in the year but making its public debut in Shanghai, the six-seater S09 slots itself in now as the flagship of Changan Automobile's Deepal range.
As a range-extended EV, its powertrain is interesting enough in itself, but the S09 packs some serious tech that should turn heads: Two 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreens up front, and a centre console that doesn't just double up as a fridge, but can slide between the first and second rows with a few taps. Between this and the Zeekr 9X you'll see below, the Chinese are truly making their presence felt in the luxury-SUV scene.
Chance of coming to SG: Possible
3. Honda GT
It may be slightly confusing, as it's called both the GAC Honda GT and Dongfeng Honda GT (Honda has joint ventures with both GAC and Dongfeng), and each model is styled slightly differently from the other. Whichever the name, it is quite cool – an all electric fastback with a hyper-modern cabin. Sadly, it's slated to be a China-exclusive model(s).
Chance of coming to SG: None
4. JETOUR Zongheng G900
Have we officially entered an era where sub-brands have their own sub-brands? Auto Shanghai saw Chery Group's SUV offshoot, JETOUR, putting an entire booth up for its JETOUR Zongheng lineup, with the G900 standing as a good show of its luxury-SUV vision. Sheer presence (and heavy Rolls-Royce Cullinan inspiration) aside, it's meant to tackle seriously challenging terrain: With triple differential locks and a ladder composite frame.
Chance of coming to SG: Unclear; the JETOUR brand recently made its debut in Malaysia and is currently constructing a factory in the country too, but it remains to be seen if the Zongheng sub-brand will make it too.
5. Lexus ES
Lexus debuted the all-new 8th generation ES, and the big news is that it will be offered with both hybrid and all-electric powertrains, indicative of the brands multi-pathway approach. It does get quite a bold exterior redesign, leaning into a next-gen BEV aesthetic. Inside, the ES debuts what Lexus calls Responsive Hidden Switches. As the brand's long-standing executive sedan offering, we're certain that the hybrid model will be launched in Singapore, though its less certain if the EV variants will be introduced as well.
Chance of coming to SG: 100%
6. Mazda EZ-60
Mazda debuted the new EZ-60 (it will be called the CX-6e globally), an obvious Tesla Model Y competitor. It is launched with two powertrain variants - a fully-electric model, as well as a range-extender plug-in hybrid. We understand that the fully-electric variant will be introduced to Singapore.
Chance of coming to SG: Very likely
7. Nissan N7
The product of Nissan's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor, the all-new Nissan N7 joins the Japanese carmaker's fully electric lineup, rides on a 400V architecture, and is offered with either 58kWh or 73kWh battery packs good for 510km and 635km of range respectively. It's also front-wheel drive only, with output standing at either 160kW or 200kW.
First images suggest an interior that's more Chinese than Japanese (read: touchscreen-heavy, button-light), but its styling is inarguably Nissan-like - which is to say, subtle but very handsome.
Chance of coming to SG: Unclear, since the sedan has only been confirmed for the Chinese market so far.
8. Ora 07 Touring
Fan of the Ora 07's nostalgic interior, but think you could use a bit more headroom in the second row? GWM's Ora 07 Touring might well be the perfect answer, offering not just extra practicality, but arguably better looks too, with its wagon-profile.
While technical details were not revealed at the show, the standard 07 is offered internationally in either single-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive variants - and it's fair to expect the 07 Touring to follow suit.
Chance of coming to SG: Possible, since the 07 has already made the swim here.
Unsurprisingly, the atmosphere at Shanghai's NECC skewed heavily electric - and quite literally too, given the range of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) dominating the glitzy booths. Going defiantly against the grain, however, Porsche's Auto Shanghai-debutante was a celebration of old-school charm.
Well, mostly at least; the 911 Spirit 70 pays homage to the late 70s and early 80s with all sorts of retro styling cues, but bows slightly to electrification by relying on the T-Hybrid 911 GTS Cabrio as its technical basis. Porsche states that this special edition is limited to 1,500 units worldwide. Which means if you've just started to ponder over whether you should buy one, you probably already can't.
Chance of coming to SG: Confirmed, but in highly limited units
10. Zeekr 9X
The debut of the Zeekr 9X marks the brand's first non-BEV model. Featuring a 'Super Hybrid' powertrain that offers both immense performance as well as a claimed 380km of all-electric range, the plug-in hybrid system here represents a new take on electrification. Sitting at the top of the brand's product lineup alongside the 009, it's also packed with all the luxury, features and technology that you could want.
Chance of coming to SG: Possible
Don't forget to check out what we've seen in previous motor shows across the globe!
12 cars you shouldn't miss at the 2025 Singapore Motor Show
Coolest production cars and concepts of Beijing Auto Show 2024
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