This year's Beijing Motor Show introduces further advances in sustainability - a market segment which is no doubt going to continue to become mainstream as air pollution in China's capital continues to cause concern (see here for realtime figures).
Here are the sustainability highlights by manufacturer (only some of which will be household names outside China).
Audi Connected Mobility Concept
Tackling urban mobility is a huge challenge, and Audi has developed a new concept, which attempts to address one aspect - the 'last mile', especially where congestion (or lack of parking) is a problem.
Hidden within the rear bumper of a Q3 SUV is a longboard, which is electrically powered, and charged by the car. The car's sat-nav integrates with appointment calendar, and can determine if it's quicker to park the car locally and take the longboard to the final destination.
BAIC ARCFOX-7
BAIC Motor have introduced a new concept car, the ARCFOX-7. A 4WD system delivers a maximum speed of 260kph, and 0-100kph acceleration in less than 3 seconds.
Citroën (Dongfeng) E-Elysée
Due in 2017 in China, an all-electric version of the C-Elysee. A Lithium-ion battery promises a 250km range, and can be charged in as little as 30 minutes.
CH Auto Qiantu K50
Chinese manufacturer Qiantu Motor (majority owned by C H Auto) have revealed their near-production K50 electric sports car (and Roadster version too). An electric motor for each axle will generate 408hp, and there should be a 300km range. It's got solar panels on the roof.
A new factory will be able to produce 50,000 clean-energy vehicles, expanding to 500,000 eventually.
Volkswagen T-Prime Concept GTE
VW are on a mission to put their 'diesel-gate' challenges behind them, and there's no better way than continue their path towards electrification. A new hybrid Touareg replacement is inevitable, and the T-Prime Concept GTE gives us a good indication of their plans.
Volkswagen claim the car will have an electric-only range of 31 miles... and 87mpg using the NEDC cycle. A 14.1 kWh battery is mated to a 2.0 litre petrol engine, with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and 4 wheel drive.
Here are the sustainability highlights by manufacturer (only some of which will be household names outside China).
Audi Connected Mobility Concept
Tackling urban mobility is a huge challenge, and Audi has developed a new concept, which attempts to address one aspect - the 'last mile', especially where congestion (or lack of parking) is a problem.
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| Audi's Connected Mobility Concept |
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| Audi's longboard in action |
BAIC ARCFOX-7
BAIC Motor have introduced a new concept car, the ARCFOX-7. A 4WD system delivers a maximum speed of 260kph, and 0-100kph acceleration in less than 3 seconds.
 |
| BAIC ARCFOX-7 |
Citroën (Dongfeng) E-Elysée
Due in 2017 in China, an all-electric version of the C-Elysee. A Lithium-ion battery promises a 250km range, and can be charged in as little as 30 minutes.
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| Citroen E-Elysee |
CH Auto Qiantu K50
Chinese manufacturer Qiantu Motor (majority owned by C H Auto) have revealed their near-production K50 electric sports car (and Roadster version too). An electric motor for each axle will generate 408hp, and there should be a 300km range. It's got solar panels on the roof.
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| Qiantu K50 |
Volkswagen T-Prime Concept GTE
VW are on a mission to put their 'diesel-gate' challenges behind them, and there's no better way than continue their path towards electrification. A new hybrid Touareg replacement is inevitable, and the T-Prime Concept GTE gives us a good indication of their plans.
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| Volkswagen T-Prime Concept GTE |
