Motoring

The Wildest Dreams from Beijing’s Auto Show 2018

With China as the largest car market in the world, the ongoing Beijing Auto Show 2018 have gotten automakers put forth their best, showcasing some extreme high-tech, luxury and customization in a country where the back seat is priority.

Apr 30, 2018 | By Shirley Wang

One ofĀ the largest car market in the world and still growing fast, ChinaĀ has startedĀ welcoming more foreign markets. President Xi Jinping has announced plans to cut stiff import tariffs and to phase out inconvenientĀ regulations forĀ foreign automakers.

At the ongoing Beijing Auto Show 2018, many automakers eyeingĀ a slice of pieĀ in theĀ booming chinese market haveĀ put forth their best. TheĀ showcase features some extreme to almostĀ excessive ideas for luxury and customization, hotĀ selling points in a country where the back seat is priority.

Beyond luxury, there is also a greater sense of eco-awareness with greatĀ focus on electric propulsion. As some of the worldā€™s strictest emissions standard, there has been ongoingĀ talks in China to even banĀ gas- and diesel-powered cars altogether.

For aĀ clearerĀ glimpse intoĀ the glitz and glamour of the Beijing auto show, weā€™ve rounded up a listĀ of the most flamboyantĀ and swankyĀ cars on display.

 

Rolls Royce’s the Spirit of Ecstasy sparkles, literally.

Rolling on with Diamonds

Styling gets a dark upgrade for Rolls-Royce’s Wraith and Dawn cars. Now armed with carbon fiber made in a meticulous 68h process, the Spirit of Ecstasy’s sparkling interior is set with 88 lab-grown diamondsā€”synthesized by heating and squeezing carbonā€”with the fiber optics woven into the headliner to show ā€œthe molecular structure of carbon as it becomes a diamond.ā€

Maserati offers some cool customisation

Custom Premium

Famed Italian brand Maserati launchesĀ the GranLusso and GrandSport versions of its Ghibli, Quattroporte, and LevanteĀ vehicles. But the focus is more on itsĀ dazzling array of wheels, brake calipers, seats, and steering wheelsĀ are available for customization, and evenĀ Ermenegildo Zegna silk interiors.Ā AimingĀ for the custom trim identity, the company states thatĀ ā€œChina has a growing number of ā€˜connoisseursā€™ seeking to express their personalities and tastes through exclusive carsā€.

Wey-X gets us ready to gaze into the future of electric cars

Reborn with Tech

Haval‘sĀ Wey-X concept car previews a full-electric crossover, amped up with a holographic assistant to help with that. The small, battery-powered SUV has some realistic specs, like a 300-mile range, but with such a futuristic concept, it is less likely to hit the market anytime soon.

Chinese brand FAW’s gorgeous Honqi that stole the show

Going Green

A newcomer to the show, FAWĀ is a giant automaker in ChinaĀ that doesn’tĀ sell overseasā€”yet.Ā The Hongqi E-Jing GT,Ā is anĀ all-electric sports coupe, styled with hints of Bentley and Lincoln in itsĀ tiny headlights and huge wheels. The unique bling hue is coined asĀ Kansas GreenĀ (notĀ the US state but a lake in northern China). Specific details aren’t out, but theĀ company says this concept reveals theĀ design direction for the 15 new models to be released by 2025.

Qiantu’s striking models makes them one of the most promising on the show

Suave Call

Qiantu is anotherĀ oneĀ of the Chinese marques that looks absolutely promising. The K50 is a production-ready,Ā delightful little two-seat EV featuringĀ plushĀ rear passenger seat at the expense of the front seat. Ā The Concept 1 model pictured above is a sporty sedan withĀ hugeĀ wheels with a striking, vaguely organic, triangular coverĀ ran by the same electric engine as K50.Ā Performance stats are still unknown, reminding slightly ofĀ the Roadster (whenever that evenĀ rides onto the road).

Mercedes offers the ultimate luxury in a ride

Plush Ride

TheĀ Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury has probably theĀ one of theĀ most polarised crowd of onlookers.Ā TheĀ latest concept by the traditional luxury car brand – a car-SUV mashupĀ – the car hasĀ the height of an SUV but the three-box design of an old-fashioned sedan. But the true highlight of the model at the show was inĀ the interior, with individual captainā€™s chairs as backseatsĀ and a built-in tea kettle, which the company markets forĀ ā€œexquisite tea-drinkingā€.


 
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