Luxury and large cars claim China auto show spotlight
A staff wipes a Ferrari car on display at the China International Exhibition Center during the "Auto China 2014" Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing on April 20, 2014. Leading automakers are gathering in Beijing for the kickoff of China's biggest car show. More than 1,100 vehicles are being showcased at the auto show, which opens to the public on April 21. AFP/PHOTO
BEIJING,
Factfile on new and concept cars at the Beijing auto show, which opened to the public Monday and spotlighted sport utility vehicles (SUVs), luxury cars and large sedans:
SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES
- Mercedes-Benz of Germany's Daimler presented a Coupe SUV concept, aimed at competing with BMW's X6, which was the first to combine the utility of an SUV and the attractiveness of a coupe, with great success.
- Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, likewise presented the TT Offroad, a five-door model with traditional Audi features such as a prominent single-frame grille, trapezoidal headlamps and a heavily curved roof line.
- Lexus, the premium brand of Japan's Toyota, displayed a compact 4x4, the NX, which will be available in two versions, one with a traditional engine and a hybrid-powered one
- France's PSA Peugeot Citroen showcased the first premium SUV from its DS line. The DS 6WR was inspired by the Wild Rubis, a concept car unveiled in 2013.
- Citroen offered a small SUV concept, dubbed the C-XR it has a wide front grille. The vehicle is expected to be launched in China at the end of the year.
SEDANS AND OTHER TYPES
- French brand Peugeot presented a concept for a large sedan, the Exalt, featuring a hybrid engine
- America's Ford, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of its iconic Mustang brand on Saturday, presented its latest incarnation of the model just as China happens to be marking its year of the horse
- Britain's Rolls-Royce, the leading luxury automaker, unveiled its Pinnacle Travel Phantom, the new edition of its flagship luxury sedan, which boasted intricate marquetry in its interior and can be customised at the buyers' request.
