Highlights of Beijing Motor show 2014

We saw The Beijing motor show 2014 as one of the biggest this year with a lot of global & local manufacturers preferring this show over others for debuting their major concept & production models. Chinese car market which is the largest and growing fastest has seen 10-12% growth in overall sales in all segments(20million units).

We present to you the coverage of this years Beijing motor show in two parts, 

1. SUV/Crossover concepts & production models 
2. Luxury Sedan concepts & other and production models.

                                                        PART - 1 SUV & Cross overs

                                                             Audi TT offroad concept

 One of the major attractions of this year Beijing motor show the, Audi TT offroad concept blends sporty coupe lines of the TT with lifestyle utility of a modern day SUV.

This plug-in hybrid uses two electric motors and gives a highly dynamic performance by delivering a stunning 123mpg fuel range. Featuring the 4 wheel drive e tron quattro tech, huge 21'' wheels and high ground clearance, the vehicle shows its versatility when it comes to different terrain.

Drive select techonology, intersection assistant and online traffic light information technology are systems introduced in TT offroad, and they are almost ready for next generation production models. The show car also features audi's new induction charging tech. Horizontal lines dominate bot the interior and the exterior of the concept. We like the Audi TT offroad concept beacuase it shows flexibility of the new platform yet adding a completely new expression and unique road presence to the TT family.

                                                          BAIC BJ 100 concept

 

  The concept carries a five-slot grille that merges into headlamps that wrap around the edges of the grille & in the rear square taillights overall giving similar looks of the Jeep Renegade. 

The spare wheel is packaged within the tailgate hatch which gives the rear of the show car a unique character line. The chunky and solid look is derived by using horizontal lines and not many surface breaks. The concept features 21'' massive alloys with high tech tweels & suicide doors giving it a more bad-ass feeling.

Land Rover Vision Discovery concept

 

  Land Rovers chief creative officer describes the new Discovery concept as the 'vision of our future family of leisure SUV'. The concept features dynamic design language with a range of innovative features and technologies. It previews the premium and exciting new design language of the future models.

The exterior features a continuous front to back cladding along the body which gives the concept a tall and confident all terrain look. With the a pillars and roof blacked out the body color gives a lot of emphasis on the kick back c pillar which iconic to the discovery family language. The concept also previews all new unique head/tail lamps with iconic new light guides which part of Land rovers new design DNA

The advance interior is spacious and modular, featuring oil and water repellent Foglizzo premium leather which can be instantly cleaned. The easy folding & sliding seats provide a wide range of layouts from a limo like 4 seat to standard 7 seat options.

 Next-generation Human-Machine Interface (HMI) technology creates a rich and truly immersive multimedia experience for all occupants including the doors, indicators, headlamps and seatback screens, operated by Gesture Control. Remote Control Drive enables the driver to manoeuvre the car at very low speed while not actually being seated inside it. Remote Control Drive has various useful applications both on- and off-road, from coupling a trailer, to external spotting during extreme off-roading. Visibility is greatly enhanced in all conditions with the powerful  laser headlamps. The innovative Transparent Bonnet head-up display, Laser Terrain Scanning, all together take the Discovery Vision concept's all terrain drive capabilities to a next level.

GWM Haval concept coupe

 

 Great wall motors known as one of biggest in the Chinese SUV manufactures, displayed the stunning Haval concept in the motor show. Designed by the new Design director who was also the ex-BMW SUV platform styling platform, the Haval coupe concept presents the future design language of the Haval brand. The show car features huge 22'' wheels, an extremely dynamic DLO line also upright LED head/tail lights which shine unique even in the dark. Even with minimal usage of chrome elements on the overall car it still gives feeling of elegant mid-sized SUV. The Haval coupe will go into production from 2016 and will retain most of its original concept looks.

Mercedes Benz concept coupe SUV

BMW's X6 was one of its kind crossover(SUV with a coupe like greenhouse) when it came out in 2009, Mercedes has entered this competition with in this Beijing motor show with its concept coupe SUV, taking the crossover category to the next level. Derived from the new DNA, a sculptural side line, stretched greenhouse and striking radiator grille with central chrome louver the car stands strong with imposing 22'' wheels. "Dynamic Select Control" provides four different transmission modes and an individually programmable setup. The upright grille is held high by the multibeam LED headlamps which take its clues from new A class vehicle at the same time the sleek stretched tail lamps with twin LED elements show the elegant treatment carried over from the new generation S-class vehicles. All together making the Concept coupe SUV a perfect fit between Merc's future line of models.

Peugeot 2008 DKR

After 25 years Peugeot has again displayed its DKR 2008 concept which will enter the grueling Dakar rally scheduled in January 2015.

Based on Peugeot's 2008 crossover, more than just another styling exercise, the DKR features an aggressive stance dictated by the technical constraints associated with its mission.

The 2 wheel drive transmission benefits the concept to have 37'' diameter treys & bigger suspension travel.What lies beneath the bodywork remains a secret for the moment, but the 2008 DKR’s breath-taking forms are sure to cause a stir even before the new car starts to kick up dust as it begins to be put through its paces in the colours of Red Bull and Total.

 Other Interesting SUV/Crossover concepts.

Citroen production ready DS6 WR

                                                         
                                                                  Cherry concept BETA

 

                                                                 Lexus NX 2 Production model

 

JAC SC-9 concept

 

Citroen C-XR concept

 

     

LA Autoshow 2014

We are pleased to bring to you our coverage of this year's LA Autoshow. This year's show had some large announcements on offer, viz. the much fantasized-about Audi Prologue Concept, the very radical Toyota Mirai, the first production H-FCV vehicle on roads, and the Lexus LF C2, among others.

Audi Prologue Concept

The Prologue concept takes Audi's surface refinement to the next level, while also bringing some classical land yacht cues to the form. It has a long, sweeping coupe roofline and is said to influence the next generation of Audi's saloons, viz. the A8, A6, A4 etc. The interior is very simple and elegant, the IP bing laid out in a layered theme, with a bold and prominent gloss black band running through the centre of it. The Prologue is visually stunning inside out and although features few details which are never before seen, it wins you purely with its lines, volumes and proportions.

Toyota Mirai - The First production Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (H-FCV)

So.. What do we say about this one. The design is surely as path breaking as the powertrain which is covers. But as is true in some cases, path breaking is not necessarily good. This is especially true and unfortunate in the case of the Mirai, since a good, well sorted design would've done wonders in selling the concept of FCVs. A design that is as polarising (haven't yet found any admirers, though) as this, is sure to scare away a good chunk of those early adopters. The design is based on a 'flowing water' theme, and although this is evident in the design, the result fails to please. Add to the that the very unconventional proportions, the tiny wheels and the gaping front intakes, and you're left very confused. The question we would like to ask is -  Did Toyota sacrifice too much design for the sake of being different ?

Lexus LF-C2 Concept

What you see here is the classic Lexus design cues applied to a open top convertible. We especially like the grille pattern on this one. It is much more resolved and has more character than the previous designs, which were pretty much just a diamond mesh formed to the desired section. Also, the front and rear air vents are very well designed and bring a lot of 'Lexusness' to the exteriors. Also worth special mention here is the bold sunset yellow paint scheme. Something to do with California sunshine ?? We think so !

Scion IM

Take the Auris > Add bodykits > Add few other garnishes here and there > Call it the Scion IM concept.

Scion was once a youthful brand that had its own cult following among the youngsters, with its pimped out utilitarian looks and awesome interior functionality. Alas, economies of scale have caught up with this once iconic brand and are now forcing it to sell mundane vehicles, with bodykits added for the sake of differentiation. 

Bentley Grand Convertible

Very reminiscent of another ultra luxe British land yacht. "Did anyone say Rolls Royce Silver Ghost ? No ?? Must've been the wind then !!"

But on a serious note, it takes guts and loads of self confidence to do something like this, especially since both of these are such well established brands.  

Sao Paulo Auto Show 2014

We bring to you our coverage of the 2014 Sao Paulo Autoshow, with the help of our associates in Brazil. A shout out to all the gentlemen there !

Brazil has recently become a hot destination for automotive brands, with its young demographic and a burgeoning demand. Several companies have gone to the extent of opening their R&D departments and even their Design Centres in some cases.

Renault Oroch

The Oroch is a concept pick-up based on the very popular Renault Duster. (Itself based on the Dacia by the same name) It is very much in keeping with the commonly observed theme of converting everything to a pick-up or a cross-over, which are definitely hot selling segments in Brazil. The body cladding is visually effective, giving the Duster derivative a even more rugged and utilitarian stance. There are contrasting colour trims added around the fog lamps, door handles hood inserts etc, which give it the requisite dash of sportiness.

Fiat FCC Concept

Carrying further the pick-up fad, FIAT launched its FCC concept pick-up. The proportions are very unconventional, more like a raised, ruggedised, chopped top estate, than a conventional pick up. The length is quite substantial, with a very exaggerated wheelbase, a slim DLO graphic and large, knobby wheels. Its truly a sketch converted into reality, but a little too toy-like in some places.

Nissan Kicks Concept

The Kicks concept follows on from the Nissan Extrem concept shown in 2012. It shares its proportions with the Nissan stablemate, the Murano, but is more masculine and sporty according to its designers, drawings its inspiration from the GT-R and Nissan off-roaders. It features very bold graphics, especially in the front and some contrasting colour trims in the front and rear skid plates. The body cladding also features an interesting, fading graphic, that provides a touch of good detailing.