beijing motor show

Limousines and Supercars Debut at Beijing Motor Show

The gulf between perception and reality is often enough to swallow entire countries whole. Take China, for example. The images many still conjure up in their heads when thinking about the Asian giant might come down to squalid shanty towns oppressed by communist overlords. But with the free market taking a greater hold with each passing day, the People's Republic is quickly emerging as a vital market for purveyors of luxury goods, including high-end automobiles. Sure, the average peasant may be able to afford little more than a rickety bicycle, but with the world's largest population numbering over a billion people, even the top fraction of the socio-economic strata can overshadow entire nations.

Against such a backdrop, it should come as no great surprise that the world's premium automakers scrambled to the Chinese capital this year with a wide array of exotic and luxury automobiles. In fact the cars making their world debuts at this year's Beijing Motor Show were enough on their own to outshine the last major international exposition in Manhattan. Follow the jump to see what all the fuss was about.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept to Debut in Beijing

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz made a big splash back in 2005 with the introduction of the CLS sedan, which was based on the midsize E-Class but sported much more attractive bodywork. The automaker is set to continue pushing those boundaries with the new CLS Shooting Break Concept, which is just now debuting at the Beijing Motor Show.

First things first: While the moniker is more often spelled 'shooting brake,' Mercedes tells us that the correct spelling is actually 'break,' as in breaking a horse that draws a carriage. Whatever. It's clear that the CLS Shooting Break will be compared to the BMW 5 Series GT, and we think the Benz has a much more distinctive and attractive appearance.

The base engine for the next CLS will likely be a turbocharged and direct injected 3.5-liter V6 engine that will offer a little over 300 horsepower. Optional will be a turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 that puts out around 435 horsepower and over 400 pound-feet of torque. Power will be sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Naturally, we can also expect an AMG version of the next CLS that should get the automaker's turbocharged and direct injected 5.5-liter V8 with up to 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. A sedan is sure to join the Shooting Break when the car finally makes it into production. Check out the high-res image gallery below and see the full press release after the break.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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Maybach Announces Revised Range for 2011

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Looking for a new German-engineered luxury limousine? Better hop a plane to Beijing, because that's where they've all gathered this year. Audi used the occasion of the Beijing Motor Show to release its new long-wheelbase A8 L flagship, Bentley brought out a special-edition Flying Spur for the Chinese market, Volkswagen released the refreshed Phaeton, and now Maybach has released updates for its range at the show as well.

Upgraded cosmetically, luxuriously and mechanically for 2011, the new Maybach 57, 57S, 62 and 62S are likely the last renditions of the super-luxe Benzes before they're discontinued in a few years. But before they are, the range benefits from a revised V12 (in 542 or 630-horsepower versions) with reduced emissions and fuel consumption. The grille, hood, tail-lights and side mirrors have been reshaped to reduce wind noise. And the first-class interior benefits from reclining seats, a rear partition, 19" LCD monitor (from which occupants can view video feeds from all around the vehicle), an electro-chromatic roof panel, a perfume atomizer and even available Swarovski crystals embedded in the seat piping.

Gallery: 2011 Maybach

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Volkswagen Releases New 2011 Phaeton

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Looking for a top-of-the-line luxury sedan? There's no shortage of options on the market these days. And a good portion of them come from the ever-expanding Volkswagen Group: the Audi A8 and Bentley Continental Flying Spur are solid choices, and there's more if you look even further up-market to the Bentley Mulsanne, the Porsche Panamera and the upcoming Bugatti Galibier. But if badge prestige isn't what you're looking for, the Volkswagen Phaeton could be your best choice.

Volkswagen has just unveiled the third rendition of its flagship sedan in Beijing – where sister-brand Audi released the new A8 L – and it comes packed with tech and choices for the discerning customer. It comes in long wheelbase or short, with four (adjustable) seats or five and with four engine options, ranging from a diesel V6 to a gasoline V12. Plus it packs all the latest technology you could expect from a major automaker, including Google Maps-enabled sat-nav, variable headlights, road sign recognition and a four-zone climate control system, all interconnected by two miles of wiring.

Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Phaeton

Tags: beijing, beijing motor show, phaeton, volkswagen, volkswagen phaeton

Bentley Unveils Two Special Edition Continentals in Beijing

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

We've got good news and we've got bad news. The good news first, you say? Bentley has presented not one, but two new special editions of its popular Continental range. The bad news? You'll have to go to China to get them.

The long-winded Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed China takes "the world's fastest four-door saloon" and tones it down, apparently for local tastes, with a softer suspension and a quieter exhaust.

The Bentley Continental GT Design Series China, meanwhile, is based on the coupe and upgrades with a unique interior with three-tone leather, vibrant trim and exterior tint in such colors as Orange Flame and Magenta Metallic.

Both are earmarked and designed specifically for the Chinese market – which has grown tenfold since entering the market in 2002 to become Bentley's third largest – and are being unveiled this week at the Beijing Motor Show.

Gallery: Bentley Continental GT Design Series China

Gallery: Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed China

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Audi Debuts Long-Wheelbase A8 Limousine in Beijing

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you're looking for the lap of luxury without the extroverted opulence associated with a Rolls-Royce or Bentley, have a look at the new Audi A8 L. Set to be officially unveiled shortly at the Beijing Motor Show in China where long-wheelbase luxury limousines are in high demand, the A8 L sits at the very top of Audi's range as its new flagship saloon.

With an extra half-foot of length on its standard-wheelbase progenitor, the A8 L features a rear seating area fit for a king. A full-length center console separates the fully adjustable recliner seats – each has 25 adjustable motors – with lap trays, refrigerator, controls and more. There's a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, twin 10.2-inch LCD displays, and a front passenger seat that can fold up out of the way with a deployable footrest for the lucky passenger in the back.

Don't think that the Audi A8 L is only about the creature comforts, though. Power comes from a 6.3-liter W12 engine driving 500 horsepower to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, rocketing this mobile palace to sixty in 4.9 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 miles per hour.

Gallery: Audi A8 L