Nother CarGuy

Hot on the heels of last week’s Q4 e-tron and the e-tron GT from earlier this year, Audi has unveiled the A6 e-tron concept at the 2022 Shanghai Motor show. It’s said that the only thing this concept shares with the “traditional” A6 is its dimensions, measuring 4.96 m (195.3 in) long, 1.96 m (77.2 in) wide, and 1.44 m (56.7 in) high. It’s a bold statement from a company that intends to offer more electric vehicles to US consumers than any other luxury brand by the end of 2021. The A6 e-tron concept previews the first Audi to be built on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform. Others expected to join in 2022 will be the Q5 e-tron and Q6 e-tron. The platform has been developed together with Porsche and will also support the next generation electric Macan. Audi says they will unveil the first production vehicles based on the PPE platform in the second half of 2022. The concept’s design looks like it’ll stick around largely unchanged for a production version. Although this is dubbed ...

Genesis has officially unveiled its 2022 Electrified G80 at the Shanghai Auto Show as the brand’s first all-electric vehicle. Powering the Genesis Electrified G80 (yes, that’s it’s real name) are a pair of electric motors that combine to produce 365 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque, split evenly between the front and rear axles. Genesis claims the all-electric G80 can sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in an impressive 4.9 seconds. Genesis has also equipped the EV with a 400V/800V multi-rapid charging system that allows customers to use various charging infrastructures. The automaker has not yet stated the capacity of the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery but says it will have a range exceeding 500 km (310 miles) on the NEDC cycle and can be charged from 10 per cent 80 per cent in just 22 minutes. The Electrified G80 also features a Disconnector Actuator System (DAS) that can automatically connect or disconnect the motor and drive shaft based on various driving conditions, including vehicle sp...

Mercedes has revealed the new EQB, the all-electric variant of the GLB and seven-seater sibling of the EQA, at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, alongside the flagship EQS electric luxury saloon. The German carmaker is showing off the China-specific version of the EQB, which is going to be produced in Beijing and go on sale later this year. The European version will also be launched in 2021, while US-spec models will arrive stateside in 2022. Global versions of the new EQB will be produced at the carmaker’s factory in Kecskemét, Hungary. The new electric Mercedes SUV will be launched in China in top-of-the-range AMG Line form with an output of 288 HP. Mercedes will offer the new EQB in several configurations, with front- and all-wheel-drive, as well as different power outputs and battery pack sizes, starting from 66.5 kWh. In Europe, the EQB 350 4Matic will offer a driving range of 260 miles (419 km), with Mercedes planning to add “a particularly long-range version” in the near future. The ...

Maserati has revealed the new Levante Hybrid at the Shanghai Auto Show, taking the next step in the brand’s electrification strategy following the reveal of the Ghibli Hybrid last year. The new electrified variant of the Maserati Levante, which is also the first hybrid SUV with the trident badge, is powered by a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine fitted with a 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator and paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The mild-hybrid Levante produces 325 HP (330 PS) and 331 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque and is available only with all-wheel-drive. Maserati also claims that the new Levante Hybrid is lighter than the six-cylinder petrol and diesel variants at 4,607 lbs (2,090 kg), and comes with a better weight distribution since the battery is placed in the rear. 0-62 mph (100 km/h) comes in 6 seconds while top speed is set at over 149 mph (240 km/h). The Italian carmaker also promises that the electrified Levante will still sound like a Maserati. The new Maserati ...

Geely is giving us a look into the future with their new Preface concept. Billed as the brand’s “first high-end sporty sedan,” the Preface features an evolution of their Expanding Cosmos design language and previews several new vehicles that will be launched over the course of the next two years. Geely, which owns Volvo Cars since 2010, didn’t say much about the production models, but they will be upscale and “globally orientated.” Getting back to the concept itself, the Preface has a stylish front fascia with a prominent grille that is wider and taller than ever before. The grille also features vertical black slates which were added to give the appearance of a floating Geely logo. On either side of the grille are slender LED headlights and stylish air intakes. The model has also been equipped with a sculpted hood and streamlined bodywork. The clamshell doors are particularly interesting as they feature frameless windows and flush-mounted door handles. Other notable st...

China’s Aiways has just unveiled a brand new all-electric concept vehicle in its hometown of Shanghai. Dubbed the U7 Ion, it follows in the footsteps of the production-ready U5 SUV, showcased in Geneva last month. The U7 Ion features the company’s FRM concept, which stands for “family and roomy mobility”. It also premieres the ‘fourth space’ interior concept, where the vehicle provides a sanctuary from busy modern life through seamless connectivity and in-car artificial intelligence tech. The U7 Ion comes with an integrated self-learning robot, which can actually move around the interior watching over the occupants. The cabin also stands out thanks to a total of 12 screens spread throughout, including a smart dashboard touchscreen display integrated into the steering wheel, and a touchscreen built into a smart mobile console. “Our presence at Auto Shanghai, from our new U7 ion concept and our production-ready U5 SUV to our impressive show stand, shows our drive and ambition...

Chinese automaker Nio is offering a glimpse of its upcoming electric sedan at the Shanghai Auto Show with the ET Preview. It looks like a pre-production concept if you ask us and the name certainly seems to suggest that as well. The vehicle previews Nio’s first-ever sedan and, as with the ES8 and ES6 SUVs unveiled so far, it will be all-electric. According to the Chinese company, the ET Preview “represents Nio’s exploration of an all-new car body, whose sleek new contours combine elegant proportions with power and beauty through minimalist design.” A production model based on the ET Preview is expected to debut in China before 2021 as Nio’s answer to the Tesla Model 3. As with the US model, it features a similar fastback design, pop-out door handles, and sleek LED lights. No interior photos have been released, however. The Nio ET Preview packs a high-performance powertrain that combines a high-energy density NCM811 nickel-cobalt-manganese battery pack with “high-effici...

Chinese-backed Karma Automotive has revealed the new Revero GT, a heavily revised version of the hybrid saloon that was originally known as the Fisker Karma, as well as the new Pininfarina GT coupe and the SC1 Vision Concept. The new Karma Revero GT features a redesigned bodywork and a new “world-class” hybrid electric powetrain that uses a BMW-sourced TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine as a range-extender. The combined output is claimed to be 528hp (535PS) while the battery pack comes with a capacity of 28kWh. Karma says that the new Revero GT offers 80 miles (128km) of pure electric range and a 0-62mph (100km/h) in 4.5 seconds. Karma Automotive will launch the new Revero GT in Europe and the Middle East by next year, with China to follow in 2021, according to the company’s CEO Dr. Lance Zhou. Created in collaboration with Pininfarina, the new GT Coupe is essentially a 2020 Revero GT with a brand new two-door bodywork on top, retaining the same hybrid electr...

The first ever Lexus minivan has arrived and it’s quite a special vehicle. Celebrating its world debut at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Lexus LM is a flagship luxury MPV developed specifically for the Chinese market. However, it will go on sale on other Asian markets too — unfortunately, Lexus didn’t announce plans to offer it outside the world’s most populous continent. Lexus says the new LM integrates oriental car philosophy, combining unique craftsmanship with hospitality and comfortable driving experience. While it looks quite attractive on the outside (despite sporting the biggest spindle-grille we’ve seen so far), the Lexus LM is all about the interior. The new LM luxury minivan is showcased in Shanghai in a four-seat configuration that effectively turns the rear passenger compartment into a business-class lounge. The front and rear rows are separated by a wall fitted with a glass screen that can be raised and lowered. The partition also features a big flat-screen TV an...

Renault is delving deeper into China’s electric car segment with the City K-ZE, which was unveiled at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. Shown first in concept form as last year’s Paris Auto Show, it’s a small crossover with modern exterior styling and a driver-focused cockpit that comes with an 8-inch infotainment system, remote access, 4G Wi-Fi, smart voice recognition and air conditioning. Full specs have yet to be released, but Renault says it has a fast-charging capability that allows it to fill its battery from 0 to 80 percent in 50 minutes. In slow charge, users will have to wait four hours to get to 100 percent. It is understood that it can travel for roughly 250 km (155 miles) between charges in the NEDC standard, like its Venucia e30 sibling. With a 150 mm (5.9 in) ground clearance, 2,423 mm (95.4 in) long wheelbase and 300-liter (10.6 cu-ft) boot space, the new City K-ZE is Renault’s smallest EV. It slots under the Zoe and, according to the automaker, has been built...

The Infiniti Qs Inspiration sports sedan concept has just been introduced at the Shanghai Auto Show as a vehicle “developed for the electrified era.” It previews a future electrified model from Infiniti and may also preview the styling of the next Q50 and Q70 sedans. The design of the Qs Inspiration is similar to the QX Inspiration Concept which was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January and adopts the design language which Infiniti’s forthcoming electrified vehicles will feature. It is aggressive, sporty, and shows that the car manufacturer is ready for what the future of the automotive industry holds. There are a number of talking points found at the front of the concept. For example, there are a pair of thin LED headlights and most noticeably, the lack of a traditional grille. The car makes do without a grille because it features an all-electric powertrain but Infiniti’s designers clearly didn’t want to leave the concept’s front fascia bare. Consequently, there is a ...

The long-awaited Aston Martin Rapide E has just been unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show. The British car manufacturer has been developing the vehicle for a number of years and the finished product adopts a design which separates it from traditionally-powered Rapide models. The Rapide E will also be Aston Martin’s first car built at its new St Athan production facility. Aston Martin worked with Williams Advanced Engineering to create the model. Underpinning the vehicle is an 800V electric architecture and a 65 kWh battery encased in carbon fiber and Kevlar and complete with over 5600 ltihium-ion 18650 format cylindrical cells. This battery pack is found where the 6.0-liter V12 of the Rapide usually resides and sends power to a pair of electric motors driving the rear axle with 601 hp 700 lb-ft (950 Nm) of torque. The Aston Martin Rapide E has a range exceeding 200 miles (320 km) under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) and is capable of charging at ...