Automobiles Review

Tag: 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition

  • Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept at 2012 Beijing

    Chrysler-300-Ruyi-Design-Concept-thumbHere’s a break of the pattern – after the dragon encrusted Ferrari 458 and the “Dragon” Wrangler we finally arrive to a Chinese design concept that does not draw inspiration from the dragon breathing mythical creature. It’s the Chrysler 300 Ruyi based on the standard 300C which is also there at the stand. There’s even a Grand Voyager MPV present, all part of the festive return of the Chrysler company to the Chinese market.

    Ruyi means “as one wishes” and is usually represented by an object akin to a scepter. It’s used to signify prosperity as it is usually crafted beautifully from high quality materials. So does the 300 Ruyi is anything like that? Well, the first thing you notice that it’s black… sorry, “Maximum Steel”. Bits like the door handles, grille surround and lower grille tracer are in dark chrome. All of that suggests a very upscale and urban feel to it according to Chrysler but to us it just looks kind of scary. Especially with those tinted windows. Other highlights include the grille itself which is riddled with dark chrome throats, the Chinise character at the back end which reads “ruyi”. To round things up, the Ruyi’s designers have fitted 22-inch 10-spoke concept alloy wheels in, again, dark chrome, with a design reminiscent of a ruyi scepter (an S shape type of rod).

    Inside, the dark chrome odyssey continues as we notice the outer dash vents, navigation screen and center dash vent surrounds, gauge rings, steering wheel rim and door handles. The center console, upper floor panels and flanking dashboard are all finished in a brushed patterned trim.

    Light, creamy leather wraps around the seats with suede inserts at the center and side bolsters. As a touch of aesthetics, the piping is black. On the head rests, one can see the actual evidence of ruyi inspiration – an embossing in a cloud form that again bares an S-shaped base.

    Power, produced by the “Engine of the Year” 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 unit, will go trough Chrysler’s ZF 8HP45 eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s the same setup which will be used in the standard 300C Luxury Series bound to appear in all Chinese dealrships. It’s most fuel-efficient and an excellent choice when it comes to value for money.

    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
    Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept

    Source: Chrysler

  • Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept Revealed in Beijing

    Peugeot-Urban-Crossover-Concept-thumbEver considered what would come out from a relationship between a Peugeot 208 and a 3008? Neither have we. But at the moment, in Beijing something just like that is sharing the Peugeot stand . It’s the Urban Crossover Concept – a vehicle that “mixes the elegance and refinement of a saloon, the cheekiness and the mischievousness of an SUV with multi-role capability and unusal spaciousness for this market segment”. We always thought that the mischievousness and cheekiness are qualities best reserved for small cars but what do we know?

    Peugeot say that because of the ever growing urbanization momentum, the Urban Crossover Concept fits perfectly into our worldview. Apparently, it somehow stays small on the outside and versatile and spacious on the inside.

    The Concept is also the barer of Peugeot’s future styling cues. The front end for example is said to be refined yet full of power. A carefully styled hood and front wings add to the picture. The “smiling” grille with its metallic teeth underpins the new Peugeot badge.

    From the side, the Urban Crossover is rather steep thanks to the raked windscreen which overlays with the rooftop and continues the silhouette all the way back to the spoiler. The raised body stance and wide wheels uncover its SUVishness. Peugeot say that it will be mulch-purposeful and yet kind to the environment. No word on any engine lineups though, Nothing technological has been discussed so far. It still is a concept so that’s understandable.

    At the back we have a double bubble design an aluminum spoiler that bring the RCZ Sports Coupe to mind. Then we have LED tail lights that bare the signature Peugeot clawed design.

    Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept
    Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept
    Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept
    Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept
    Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept
    Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept
    Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept
    Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept

    The Urban Crossover Concept will make its European debut at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012. Until then, our guess is that the urban turf will still be dominated by the Nissan Juke and Ford B-Max.

    Source: Peugeot

  • Eternity Artemis Prototype at Beijing

    Eterniti-Artemis-Prototype-thumbIt would seem that Lamborghini won’t be the only company at Beijing to showcase a 600 bhp monstrosity with high ground clearance. Meet London-base Eterniti Motors and their first car ever – The Artemis. They haven’t bothered about fitting in so to speak as they have their own category for it – Super-SUV: “Higher levels of luxury, performance and exclusivity” targeted at wealthy car buyers. We respect honesty.

    The Artemis prototype is still in its trial period but Eterniti speculate that it would be out before the ones of Lamborghini, Bentley or Maserati.

    Outside every panel is hand-built yet made of carbon-fiber. Well, there are some “crude” patches of chrome here and there but they can’t really ruin the whole thing, can they? Sized 315/25, low profile tires bare the weight of the body and the 23-inch alloy rims that come in several designs.

    The engineers at Eterniti have put some extra effort in making the back end of the cabin spacious, luxurious and comfortable. The seats recline, cool or heat themselves, hide a refrigerator and an iPad slot – very executive. The general feel of the whole cabin is self evident – leathers, quilted undercarpets and boot trim, lambswool rugs, veneers of natural wood, piano black and carbon-fiber patterns, state-of-the-art audio system and a choice of several sunroofs for some reason.

    Then there’s the real inside. At the center of the Eterniti, beats a 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8 heart that produces 600 bhp and 750Nm of torque. Tests have so far shown that the “Super-SUV” can do a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 4.5 seconds. Performance and handling have been developed by a race-bred British engineering team led by Alastair Macqueen. He was responsible for the Jaguar XJ220 so you know they are not kidding.

    Eterniti have been kind enough to share a price tag as well – China will get a special deal but for the rest of the world, it’s £210,000. So this is where we start losing touch with reality. That sum of money for something that looks like a tricked out Cayenne?! Hmm…

    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    eterniEterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    eterniti-artemis-prototype-09
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype
    Eterniti Artemis Prototype

    Source: Eterniti

  • Lamborghini Urus at 2012 Beijing

    Lamborghini-Urus-Beijing-thumbWhat we see here, is evidence that the world has gone SUV-mad. Lamborghini have brought the heavy artillery to the 2012 Beijing Auto Show with the Urus SUV Concept. We say heavy, but actually, the company claims that the Urus will thrash the other fatties from the segment thanks to their ever-improving craftiness with carbon-fiber composites.

    So what’s at the core of this concept? Some might be surprised but this is not Lamborghini’s first venture into the SUV world. It’s their second. Back in 1986 the LM002 was launched which looked like a Hummer on steroids, had 450 bhp and a top speed of 210 km/h. Despite remaining in production until 1992, only 300 units were ever made. Not what you call a commercial success then.

    The name behind the new one is in part ironic. Urus (or aurochs) is an extinct species of cattle – a rather majestic and tall looking breed of bulls, ancestors of the modern Spanish Bull. Now, we understand that you can’t name something that looks like a genetically modified Lamborghini Aventador on hoofs after a standard bull but isn’t the fact that the aurochs have been “outdated” sort of a bad sign?

    Anyways, Lamborghini are still quiet about what’s under the hood. “Expect something around 600 bhp” is not something we can work with here. Low emission pioneering is also amidst the company’s daring claims, because it will be light they say. But how light can a 5 meter long and 2 meter wide bulk of brawn can be? It sends its power trough trough a permanent AWD system complete with traction control. (which, again, does not sound very light).

    Aerodynamics are said to play an important part as well. The suspension is widely adjustable. The front spoiler is also height adjustable so that it can provide a proper ground clearance or add some stability and efficiency on the flat tarmac. The outside features are less than a handful but for a purpose – a minimalist construction. No side view mirrors (cameras inside), no gun turrets and no excess weight. The only thing that sounds too much is the size of the wheels: 24 inches of matte aluminum glory and double spoke design.

    Inside the Lamborghini Urus, there is a seating for four (two too many for a Lamborghini to be honest). The carbon fiber diet there is just as relevant as it is for the outside. The center tunnel for example, is an open skeletal carbon fiber structure made from Forged Composite. It’s the backbone of the whole interior and it is only partially clad in leather-upholstered cushioning. The four bucket seats (Forged Composite as well) are also cushioned by a single body. Then, behind the steering wheel, one would find only paddle shifters. So Lamborghini has gone the Ferrari Italia way and placed the indicator storks/buttons somewhere irrelevant. And this is supposed to be an everyday vehicle?

    Lamborghini Ursus at Beijing 2012
    Lamborghini Ursus at Beijing 2012
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept
    Lamborghini Urus Concept Beijing Debut
    Lamborghini Urus Concept Beijing Debut
    Lamborghini Urus Concept Beijing Debut
    Lamborghini Urus Concept Beijing Debut

    Source: Lamborghini

  • 20 Years of Ferrari in China, 20 Special Editions of the Ferarri 458 Italia

    Ferrari-458-Italia-China-thumbWhile Chrysler are reestablishing their presence on the Chinese market, Ferrari are merely marking their 20th anniversary there. But they too have a special edition in store – A “logma” themed Ferrari 458 Italia. Only 20 examples will be made and none of them will be sold outside China.

    So what is “logma”? It’s an old Chinese idiom which means “the vigor and spirit of the legendary dragon-horse” (That was totally our guess). A dargon-horse – what are the chances? We have a prancing horse up and ready on any standard Italia you might think of. That’s why the livery needed for the logma special edition includes only the addition of a dragon. But what a dragon it is! Right there on the Marco Polo Red bonnet, enclosed in a black and gold racing stripe, twisty and windy as if it were a racing track.

    The gold finished bendy winglets and rims do a fine job complementing the whole look which is sure remain in your field of view… especially if the driver inside isn’t brilliantly proficient in Chinese – the start button is all symbols. Gold embroidery decorates the car’s headrests and a plaque set into the dash lets you know that this is an Italia ‘20th Anniversary Special Edition’

    On a side note, to mark the occasion, Ferrari are also setting up their first ever permanent brand exhibition outside of Maranello at the Italia Center of Shanghai World Expo Park. Think of it as a macro fair…that covers 900 square meters…and will remain open for 3 years. Besides the opportunity to marvel at various Ferrari icons, visitors will also have access to a selection of images and videos made especially for this exhibition.

    Stick around as we might see this again, next week at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

    Ferarri 458 Italia China Special Edition
    Ferarri 458 Italia China Special Edition
    Ferrari 458 Italia China Anniversary Edition
    Ferrari 458 Italia China Anniversary Edition
    Ferrari 458 Italia China Anniversary Edition

    Source: Ferrari