Nother CarGuy

Pininfarina promised two new debuts for the Beijing Motor Show this year, and true to their word, they didn’t let us down. Following earlier teasers, the Italian design house showcased two more concepts for the Hybrid Kinetic Group. One takes the form of a sedan, the other, a crossover. And they both look pretty damn slick. Rendered in a deep shade of gold, the H500 sedan is envisioned as a smaller counterpart to the earlier H600 unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Its cabin features four individual seats and a proliferation of touchscreens for all, plus a bright white upholstery. The K350 crossover on the other hand is designed to slot in below the five-seat K550 and seven-seat K750 showcased in Shanghai last year. With white bodywork and a contrasting black roof, it features a black interior with orange highlights and free-floating seats. Both concepts are motivated (in theory at least) by range-extended electric powertrains. Or in other words, plug-in hybr...

The announcement was made with little fanfare as it was tucked away in the company’s first quarter financial results. Buried underneath various statistics is a rather blunt statement that the company will “not invest in next generations of traditional Ford sedans for North America.” Instead, models such as the Fusion, Fiesta and Taurus will be phased out over the next few years. The company isn’t abandoning cars altogether as the company will keep the Mustang. Ford also confirmed plans to launch the all-new Focus Active in North America next year. Additional crossover-like vehicles are possible as the company noted it is exploring “white space” vehicles that “combine the best attributes of cars and utilities, such as higher ride height, space and versatility.” In a statement, Ford CEO Jim Hackett said “We are committed to taking the appropriate actions to drive profitable growth and maximize the returns of our business over the long term.” He went on to say the company will ‘pla...

BMW may still have the proverbial camouflage covers on their new 8-Series, but today, they uncovered details on the M850i xDrive Coupe. Described as a perfectly harmonized package offering “fascinating sportiness and supreme comfort,” the M Performance model will be equipped with a “completely redeveloped V8 engine” that produces 530 PS (390 kW / 523 hp) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. Despite having 68 PS (50 kW / 67 hp) and 100 Nm (73 lb-ft) more power than the 4.4-liter V8 in the 650i, the new engine weighs the same. The V8 will be connected to an improved eight-speed automatic transmission which has an “expanded spread and further shortened shift times.” It will send power to the ground through via a rear-biased all-wheel drive which features an active locking rear differential. BMW isn’t ready to share full specifications yet but a previous report, which correctly predicted the model’s output, suggested the car could accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in less th...

Geely has taken the wraps of the new Icon concept which is meant to showcase the brand’s styling chops as well as their commitment to new energy vehicles. Reportedly based on the same platform that underpins the Volvo XC40, the Icon concept is a compact crossover which features slender head- and taillights which are “inspired by infinity symbols” as they “gradually disappear into the body and make people think of infinite possibilities.” We’re not so sure about that but the crossover also has a ventilated hood, plastic body cladding and aerodynamic wheels. While the windscreen and roof echo the Range Rover Evoque, the Icon features distinctive bodywork and suicide rear doors which open to reveal a stylish cabin. Speaking of the interior, Geely says the model has a “minimalist design” which maximizes interior space. Drivers sit behind a two-spoke steering wheel and an upholstered dashboard which apparently has driving information projected onto it. To the r...

Ford has used the Beijing Motor Show to release a new teaser image of the 2020 Explorer. Shown underneath a sheet, the teaser image doesn’t reveal much it suggests the model will have a relatively smooth front fascia with gentle curves. Moving further back, we can see a relatively short hood and a gently raked windscreen which meets a sloping roof. The model also appears to have a roof rack and an upward sweeping beltline. Elsewhere, there’s pronounced wheel arches and a relatively upright tailgate. Ford confirmed the next-generation Explorer will be built in China and the company has previously said the model will be launched in the United States next year. An Explorer ST will “soon follow” and it is expected to use a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine that is shared with the Lincoln Continental and Lincoln MKZ. The engine produces 400 hp (298 kW) and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of torque. If these figures carryover to the Explorer ST, the model would be significantly more powerful t...

Toyota has used the Beijing Motor Show to announce plans to launch ten electrified vehicles in China by 2020. As part of the announcement, Toyota unveiled plug-in hybrid versions of the Corolla and Levin. The company was tight-lipped on details but confirmed the models will be built in China and launched next year. The vehicles will become the first Toyota plug-in hybrids built outside of Japan and they are slated to have an electric-only range of at least 50 km (31 miles). On the styling front, there isn’t much to report as the models only receive minor modifications. Changes include a new charging port, purple accents and plug-in hybrid badging on the front fenders. Besides introducing the Corolla and Levin plug-in hybrids, Toyota revealed plans to offer an electric version of the C-HR / IZOA. Little is known about the model but it is scheduled to be launched in 2020. In related news, Toyota said it is working with its Chinese partners to build a local production bas...

Dongfeng Nissan’s car brand Venucia wants to wow visitors at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show with a new concept car called X. The sleek looking study sports an imposing front grille, slim headlamps, a clean profile and large wheels. The rear end is barely visible in the images released by Nissan, but it appears to be very Range Rover-ish. Joining the SUV study in Beijing is an updated variant of the T90. Previewed by the Venucia VOW Concept three years ago, the 2019 model remains identical on the outside, but adds a new two-tone interior and a different infotainment system, with a larger screen. Other features include smartphone connectivity, wi-fi hotspot, voice commands and navigation system. Besides these changes, the China-only model is equipped with “advanced safety technologies”, according to the automaker, and a new turbocharged engine whose specs remain unknown. Still, it should be a welcomed departure from the previous naturally aspirated 2.0-liter unit that power...

The curtain was raised at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show for the new Nissan Sylphy, the brand’s first electric car built in China for China. Based on the same platform as the second generation Leaf, it uses a zero-emission powertrain and lithium-ion batteries mounted under the seats, which provide it with a total driving range of 338 kilometers (210 miles). The range is based on the SMVIC cycle, so in real world driving owners are expected to cover about 200km+ (124mi+) in between charges. By comparison, the Nissan Leaf has a NEDC-estimated range of 378km (235mi), which drops to some 240km (150mi) depending on conditions. As revealed in a set of leaked images earlier this month, the Nissan Sylphy resembles its hatchback sibling at the front. It gets similarly shaped bumper, V-motion grille and headlamps, “Zero Emission” badges on the lower side of the front doors and boot lid, identical wheels and blue accents to highlight its eco-friendly stance. Most likely the interior ...

BMW has, until now, kept its electric vehicles apart from its main lineup. But with the debut of the Concept iX3, it’s bringing them into the fold . Unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show, the iX3 forecasts a fully electric version of the German automaker’s compact crossover. (Or “sports activity vehicle,” in Bimmer corporate parlance.) And while it’s billed as a concept, it previews a production version to follow. A proliferation of them, in fact. The concept is clearly based on the production X3 that was just revealed in its third iteration last summer. But without any fossil fuels combusting inside, most of the intakes and vents in the bodywork have been closed off. That leaves it with a more streamlined (dare we say “futuristic”) appearance. Even the grille is blanked out, but the frame remains – albeit with a modified shape. The separate twin kidneys that have historically characterized the front end of all Bimmers have merged here into one shape. The result, to our eyes, ...

The current generation of the Lexus ES is a popular car thanks to its honest approach to luxury. The model, though, was getting old and had a stale look that didn’t help its case. Lexus has fixed these issues and done a lot more to make the new 2019 model an even more attractive proposition. The sixth-gen sedan that will be revealed at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show is much prettier and more tech forward than before. Underpinning the striking exterior is Toyota’s GA-K modular platform, which it shares with the 2019 Avalon. The platform has allowed the sedan to grow. Lexus claims the new ES is 2.6 inches longer and 1.8 inches wider than the outgoing model. The wheelbase also grows by 2.0 inches. Like before, the ’19 ES will be available as the ES 350 and 300h. Just like the previous generation, the ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6. Power, though, is up to 302 hp (225 kW) and 267 lb-ft (362 Nm) of torque. Those figures are a decent increase from the previous generation, which pr...

Hyundai has pulled the wraps off a minor facelift for the popular i20. Set to go on sale later this year, the updated five-door hatchback features a host of minor styling changes including a new front bumper and a “cascading grille.” Bigger changes occur out back as the model has been equipped with a new rear bumper and a redesigned hatchback that now houses the license plate. Rounding out the exterior styling changes are new taillights and updated 15- and 16-inch alloy wheels. The model can also be equipped with a panoramic sunroof as well as a two-tone Phantom Black roof. Speaking of colors, there are several new options including Champion Blue, Clean Slate and Tomato Red. Moving into the cabin, drivers will find a new Display Audio system with a seven-inch screen as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Higher-end variants can be equipped with a Display Audio system featuring GPS navigation as well as Live Services. Sticking with the technology theme...

Recently-established Chinese automaker Byton has teased its upcoming sedan concept vehicle, set to premiere at CES Asia in Shanghai this June. Two separate images of the concept have been released, and while neither provides many details, they do reveal that the car’s design will be reminiscent of the Byton SUV unveiled last year. With this in mind, we can see small front and rear overhangs, the outline of a large cabin, a sleek roof and a pair of sensors that pop out of the roof. Beneath the skin, the Byton sedan will share its platform with the SUV and be followed up by a seven-seat MPV. The sedan should launch in China in 2021, roughly two years after the SUV hits the market in Byton’s home country. The SUV will land in Europe and the United States in 2020, so it’s reasonable to assume that the sedan will hit the shores of the Old Continent in 2022. Speaking to Autocar about this vehicle, Byton design chief Benoit Jacob said the company envisioned three models from the o...

Produced exclusively by the Daimler – BAIC Motor joint venture, the China-only A-Class L Sedan brings CLS styling and S-Class safety tech to the compact 4-door segment. Mercedes will eventually unveil another version of the saloon, tailored specifically to customers outside of China, sometime in the second half of the year. It’s likely that car will drop the ‘L’ designation and be known simply as the A-Class Sedan. According to Mercedes, the Chinese A-Class L Sedan features highlights such as multiple innovative driving assistance systems borrowed from the S-Class, as well as the MBUX system’s intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition, which is of course proficient in various Chinese dialects, including Sichuanese and Cantonese. With regards to styling, the A-Class L Sedan is meant to reflect the “purist, surface-accentuating design” of the automaker’s latest design philosophy, dubbed Sensual Purity. It reflects in the short overhangs (front and rear),...