Shanghai Motor Show 2019: preview ~ station of gear

2019-04-04 14:20

From all-electric SUVs to autonomous city cars, we give you a run-down of what you can expect at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show

China’s recent automotive boom has accelerated the growth of the Shanghai Motor Show. In recent years, some genuinely high-profile launches have crossed its floor, rivalling those from the likes of Geneva, Paris and Tokyo. The show opens its doors to the world’s press on April 16, with the general public given access for a week from April 18.

Given the Chinese market’s recent affinity for all-electric motoring (helped along by domestic manufacturers such as Lynk & Co and NIO), we’re expecting plenty of zero-emissions and electrified offerings. This year’s complete list of attendees is yet to be announced, but we’ll have boots on the ground at the event to bring you all the latest news as its announced.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show, ordered alphabetically according to manufacturer...

Shanghai Motor Show: A-Z

Audi

• Audi AI:me concept

Rather than provide photos or renders of a production-ready concept, this year Audi decided to publicise its Shanghai concept, called AI:me, with hand-drawn sketches. The German firm claims that they detail a new compact autonomous city car, designed to cope with the “megacities of tomorrow.”

Infiniti

• Infiniti Qs Inspiration

Infiniti will debut a new electrified sports saloon concept at Shanghai, influenced by both the firm’s 1989 Q45 saloon and 2018 Q Inspiration concept. It will feature Infiniti’s latest exterior design language and a spacious, clutter-free interior, separated into a driver-focused cockpit and a “relaxed passenger zone.”

Karma Automotive

• Karma’s ‘Big-Three’ line-up

California-based Karma Automotive has teamed up with the Italian design house Pininfarina, with plans to debut three new models at Shanghai. So far, this low-slung coupe is the only car the firm has teased, but a next-generation Revero saloon and a concept called the Karma Vision are both due for reveal at the show. The pair aim to push Karma onto the global EV marketplace, with a product line-up to rival that of Tesla and NIO.

Mercedes

• Mercedes GLB concept

Mercedes will show off its latest addition to its growing SUV line-up, with a new rival to the BMW X1. Called the GLB, it will be based on the same underpinnings as the firm’s A-Class and B-Class hatchbacks, but outfitted with a squared-off two-box body shell, a taller ride height and a range of rugged exterior plastics. It’ll be previewed in concept form.

NIO

• New NIO saloon

Chinese manufacturer maker NIO will introduce a new fastback saloon at the show, which will be fully electric. Previewed in teaser form, no name has been announced for the sleek looking five-door coupe, but it will be fully-electric and will join the ES6 and ES8 SUVs in the brand’s line-up.

Volkswagen

• Volkswagen ID. Roomzz

Due for launch on the Chinese market in 2021, the ID. Roomzz is a full-sized SUV designed to sit above the ID. Crozz in Volkswagen’s growing all-electric line-up. It’ll be built on Volkswagen’s all-electric MEB platform and feature configurable interior seating, level four autonomous driving capabilities and a set of rear-opening suicide doors.

Which release are you anticipating most from this year’s Shanghai Auto Show? Let us know in the comments section below…

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