Shanghai motor show 2015 preview
The world’s car manufacturers will converge in China next week (April 20-29) for the Shanghai motor show, or Auto Shanghai 2015, as it’s officially known.
We’ve put together a list of the key models on show in China’s second city, however before we proceed, it’s worth mentioning what definitely won’t be on show: scantily-clad female models.
There won’t be any male models for that matter too. The outright banning of any human models has been introduced so visitors’ attention will be focussed on the cars on display rather than the abundance of flesh.
A sad day for raunchy, lecherous blokes, but more a victory for taste and progress we say, but rumour has it some car makers will try to beat the ban by hiring models as ridiculously good-looking “sales consultants” or “tour advisors” on their stand.
Anyway, cars…
Citroen – Aircross concept
Think of a bigger, slightly more grown-up version of the C4 Cactus, and you’ve got the Aircross.
The divisive Airbump panels have been replaced by marginally less divisive ‘alloy bumps’ (seen along the door sill), and the luggage-inspired cabin has been modernised a bit with two huge touchscreens, while the Cactus’ humdrum internal combustion engines have been swapped for a plug-in hybrid powertrain. As a result, the Aircross has the one thing the Cactus is missing: four-wheel drive.
Click here for more details on the Citroen Aircross
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
That Mercedes felt compelled to provide an alternative to the BMW X6 with the GLE Coupe was a bit of a surprise, but now, even more inexplicably, the Stuttgart-based company has decided to offer an X4 competitor.
A replacement for the GLK, which isn’t sold in the UK, the GLC Coupe will sit between the GLA and the GLE announced earlier this year. At present, it’s just a concept, but it’s almost certain to hit the market in the next year or so.
Just one engine has so far been mooted – a petrol-fuelled V6 with two turbochargers and a 362bhp power output.
All we know about the GLC Coupe can be found here
Volkswagen Scirocco GTS
Yes, it’s ‘just’ another trim level for the Scirocco, but it is available with racing stripes, and everyone knows stripes make a car faster, right? Well, not really, but a 217bhp engine will make the GTS perfectly brisk and the huge wheels, sporty cabin and, if you specify them, racing stripes, will at least look good.
For more details on the Scirocco GTS, head this way…
McLaren 540C
The most attainable McLaren yet. That’s how the Woking-based company describes the 540C.
Yes, it might be the least expensive car the firm has made to date, but £126,000 is hardly ‘cheap’. It is, however, more practical than the other McLarens, with more interior space, greater outward visibility and softer suspension.
It’s still undeniably a supercar though, because the performance is worthy of the six-figure price tag. The twin-turbocharged, mid-mounted V8 produces a respectable 533bhp so 0-62mph takes just 3.5 seconds and the top speed is 199mph.
More details on the 540C can be found here
Peugeot 308 R Hybrid
This 500hp, four-wheel drive hot hatch was recently revealed by Peugeot and could well be seen in Shanghai.
It’s only a concept currently, but it could go into production at some point in the future. With a 4.0-second 0-62mph time but 70g/km CO2 emissions, it’s fair to say we can’t wait to see it.
Read the full story on the 155mph 308 R Hybrid here
Volvo XC90 Excellence
Taking the new XC90 and removing three of the seven seats might rid it of school run appeal, but the advantage is a space overload. To complement that, Volvo has given the XC90 Excellence a large dollop of luxury.
Individually reclining rear seats, a fridge, sumptuous leather and a huge Bowers & Wilkins stereo are all present and correct, while noise-cancelling tyres have been fitted to reduce road noise.
If it all sounds a bit expensive and/or pointless though, fear not, because this particular XC90 won’t be coming to the UK.
All the details on the XC90 Excellence are right here…
DS 5
Yes, it was at the Geneva show in March, but the new DS 5 is going to be in Shanghai too, as the newly single DS brand launches the 5 simultaneously in Europe and Asia. To celebrate, there’ll be a special Golden Matt version in attendance.
Range Rover Pick-up
Yes, you read that right, there will be a Range Rover pick-up at Shanghai. It’s a product of Brabus’ custom tuning arm, Startech, and it features all the usual Range Rover luxury with the added benefit of a semi-practical load bed.
MG GS SUV
MG is still growing rapidly, and the revitalised British brand is hoping to keep that up with the addition of the Qashqai-rivalling GS.
Expected to be offered with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, the crossover will take some of the MG3’s styling, as previewed by the sketch below.