09′ Shanghai auto show: Special, expected!

The Shanghai Auto Show is practically upon us, but whats worth seeing in these economically tight times? Will the manufacturers give us some interesting models to look at, or will they try to save their cash on models, or do away with eye candy altogether?
We’re not quite sure how far VW plan to push the Passat in China, they have approximately 500* over sedan models to push in the China market. The ‘new’ Passat will continue to use the 1.8T engine as used in countless other VAG sedans.

6th Generation VW Golf

The VW Golf will skip a few generations and launch in China with the 6th Gen. The Golf has been pushed from line to line in China and never actually quite found its footing in the market, it did find itself being sold as a Bora hatchback at one point. The 6th Generation Golf may find itself in a market where the consumers are now more open towards hatchback models, and should find itself ahead of the aging competition.

MG6
Quite possibly the most anticipated car of the show, and the car with the most secrecy about it. Possibly coming in both hatchback and sedan form in April to give the crowds a double whammy. SAIC are hardly known for their skills at keeping a car secret, but they’ve done extremely well at keeping the MG6 under wraps. Only one MG6 photo has made it to the net so far, but the naysayers say its a fake. Autoexpress ran with computer generated pictures of an MG6 hatchback, but until we see it in the flesh, the MG6 is still a mystery.

Skoda Superb
The Skoda brand was introduced into China rather late, but that has not stopped it or slowed it down any way shape or form. The Skoda brand has gone from strength to strength, and should continue with the soon to be launched Skoda Superb.

Dongfeng Feng Shen

The Dongfeng Feng Shen is Dongfengs first proper attempt at making their own car, except it was designed by the same people who designed FAW’s Besturn, as you can see, the two could pass as twins.

BYD M6

The BYD M6, like the MG6, is also shrouded in mystery. The M6 is expected to look a lot like the Toyota Previa (BYD has ‘taken’ many styling hints from Toyota over the past few years) but is not expected to go for Toyota Previa money, but rather a more practical 50,000rmb and rising. The M6 is also expected to come with an electric powertrain that will do over 400km on a single charge.

There are other cars being launched at the Shanghai Show, but the above are the ones that seem to be of real importance. The Besturn B50, and the domestically made Toyota RAV4 will be displaying their wares at the show. The Porsche Panarama is also expected to launch in Shanghai.

source: chinacartimes

Spy shots: Chery Tiggo 6 on testing drive

As a medium and large-size SUV, Chery Tiggo 6 was first showed on 07‘ April’s Shanghai auto show and being silent ever since. Until recently Tiggo 6 was found on testing, it indicated that Tiggo 6 was set to production.

The first sight, you will find it’s a real Chery Tiggo, but in details you will also find that Tiggo 6 has changed a lot, much different from the one on 07′ Shanghai auto show. Tiggo 6 was internal named “B22″, compared to the same platform B21 (A6 sedan) and B23 (A6CC coupe) have all been tested for many years, the Tiggo 6 test progress has lagged a lot.

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Hainan Mazda C71 and new Mazda SUV/MPV to show off on Shanghai auto show

In 2009, Hainan Mazda will launch 3 new models: new Mazda MPV that based on PREMACY, Mazda C71 and a new Mazda SUV. The mini car, Mazda C71 should attract us more.

By reported, the Hainan Mazda C71 equips 1.3L and  1.5L engine made by Shenyang Aerospace Mitsubishi Engine Co  and measures(LxWxH) 3890 x 1695 x 1480.

Compare to the Mazda 2 hatchback, the Hainan Mazda C71 will pricing between 70, 000RMB and 90, 000RMB by eastimated.

Dongfeng coupe and another 3 new models to launch on Shanghai auto show

As one of the “Big Three” Chinese automakers, Dongfeng seems a bit slowly to launch new sedans, rely on Peugeot, Citroen, Nissan as joint ventures, but do nothing in owned-brand sedans, what may you think of it? Bad, very bad. However, this bad situation would change a bit since the new Dongfeng models are now coming.

1. Dongeng Coupe: The first Coupe from Dongfeng, looks like Porsche Cayman.

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Owned-Brand models to highlight Shanghai auto show

09′ Shanghai Auto Show will be held from April 22nd to April 28th, new domestically made cars set to show off:

• Lifan 320 – Lifan’s most (in)famous model
• Chery S16/QQ5 – As known as “Chinese beetles“
• FAW Toyota RAV4 – Once imported, now domestically made to go up against the Honda CRV, and the Qashqai
• Dongfeng Citroen C5 (Fengshen)- The C5 is finally to be made in China, and possibly its Peugeot cousin.
• BYD F5 – BYD’s new compact model
• Shanghai VW NMS – (New Midsize Sedan) Another new sedan from Volkswagen.
• BYD M6 - BYD’s first MPV.
• Guangzhou Toyota Highlander – The large SUV is set to be produced in China, alongside the RAV4.
• Guangzhou New Honda Odyssey – Will be the US version of the  Odyssey
• Beijing Hyundai i30 – A new compact from Hyundai
• MG6 – the hatchback brother of the Roewe 550, the most anticipated car of the show, the first MG to be launched in many years.

Buick LaCrosse to show off on April’ Shanghai auto show

News broke long time ago that the new generation Buick LaCrosse will show off in the April’ Shanghai Auto Show, and then come to mass production and launch in the third quarter.

Notes:

The LaCrosse made its debut in late 2004 as a 2005 model with the intention of replacing the Century and Regal midsize cars with a single model. Riding on a revised version of the W-body known as MS2000, the LaCrosse was initially available with two powerplant choices in three trim levels: a 3.8 L 3800 Series III V6 available in base CX and mid-level CXL forms, and a 3.6 L HFV6 V6 in the top line CXS model. Power is routed to the front wheels via a 4T65-E automatic transmission (4T65-E HD on Super’s). Many former Regal owners were disappointed that key features had not been carried over, but with the exception of reduced knee room and folding mirrors all features have been made available. For 2008 the LaCrosse was facelifted, with the most noticeable change being that of replacing the old oval grille with a chrome u-shaped waterfall style grille. 2008 model year also introduced the LaCrosse Super, featuring a smallblock V8 engine, which replaces the previously top-of-the-line CXS model. The last first-generation LaCrosse rolled off the assembly line on December 23, 2008.

Offcial Photo: Dongfeng Aeolus to show off on 09′ Shanghai auto show

Recently, Dongfeng Motor announced its own brand “Dongfeng Aeolus” (Dongfeng Fengshen) will launch in March, the first model is scheduled to show off on the Shanghai auto show this April. The first model is a 1.6L displacement compact car, 4.5 meters long and priced around 100,000RMB (1RMB = 6.8USD). Dongfeng Aeolus was designed by the world famous car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and built by Dongfeng Technology Center & IDG(Italia). There is no any other details of Aeolus, just pay attentions and follow our reports.

source: auto.163

Great Wall CoolBear to launch in March

As early as 2006 Beijing Auto Show, Great Wall Automobile exhibited a cool concept cars named CoolBear. In the last two years of Shanghai and Beijing Auto Shows, we found CoolBear once again. Though they did not like the rumors, as listed in 2008. The reporters said that people can not found any saloon cars with the style like CoolBear, let alone a small car. With three years of breeding and carved, from the first appearance to production,CoolBear did brought big changes and new surprises to us from time to time. Industry analysts believe that: At present, CoolBear hasn’t direct competitors yet.

[View with PicLens]

source: auto.163