Kia unveils Horki sub-brand in China, kicks off with concept car

While we were busy ogling new vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept, Maserati Ghibli and Hongqi L9 at the Shanghai Motor Show, Kia was busy unveiling an entire brand. Through its Chinese joint venture, Dongfeng Yueda Kia (or DYK), the South Korean automaker has introduced its new Horki sub-brand and a concept car, simply called the Horki Concept.

The name Horki comes from the combination of two Chinese characters "Hor" and "Ki," which translates to "China driving." As this suggests, the brand will only be offered in China, and this concept sedan shares its platform with the 2014 Kia Forte. We didn't happen to catch the car live at the auto show, and apparently neither did Kia, since it only provided us with some drawings rather than live (or even studio) shots of the actual concept car. Thankfully, our friends at Newspress managed to ferret it out, so we have a couple of live pics to share after all.

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Rolls-Royce Alpine Trial Centenary Collection celebrates century-old Austrian race

 

Among the harvest of premieres at the Shanghai Motor Show was a special-edition Rolls-Royce Ghost to celebrate the 1913 Austrian Alpine Trials. Four Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts entered the race a century ago, and in completing the 1,820-mile challenge flawlessly earned the sobriquet "The Best Car in the World." The new Ghosts commemorating the feat represent two firsts for the brand: Rolls-Royce has never created a bespoke homage to one of its own cars, and it has never released a car with a black grille.

Those two features, as well as blue paint and black wheels, are in tribute to James Radley's privateer entry in that 1913 race that drove alongside the three factory teams. Other special features include the coachline (pinstripe) that evokes the four cars from the 20th-century race, and inside, a color-matched headliner, a clock with the rally stages and times, and topographical inlays on the front fascia and rear picnic tables.

The 20-Ghost Club will be reenacting the event this year, the parade including Radley's 1913 car. It kicks off in Vienna, Austria on June 14.

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Top Five 2013 Shanghai Motor Show Debuts

Want proof that the Shanghai Motor Show is gradually becoming more and more important with each passing year? Up until now, our coverage of the Chinese expo has never been as in-depth as it was for 2013, and this post marks our first round of Editors' Choice picks for the show.
Sure, a lot of what we're seeing in Shanghai will never come to the United States, and a lot of it is purely conceptual, but because the Chinese auto market is growing at an incredible rate, more and more automakers are lining up big debuts for this show. Because of that, there's a lot to talk about regarding Shanghai, and we've tallied up our votes to give you the five (okay, six – there was a tie for fifth place) best unveilings from this past weekend's expo. Scroll down to check them out, and sound off with your own personal opinions in the comments.

#5A: Hongqi L9

When we first spied the Hongqi L9 sitting pimp-like on its enormous white carpet, we knew that we would need to share it with Autoblog readers – as a curiosity if nothing else. But the more we studied the Hongqi behemoth, the more we all started to dig its retro-meets-super-luxury style. Meant for Chinese politicos of the highest rank, the L9 has major gravitas that is nicely balanced with quirky detailing like the red flag hood ornament, and, of course, those crazy headlamp surrounds. More than enough flavor for the L9 to tie as one of our favorite cars in China. (Oh, and for the record, the Hongqi name is pronounced more like "hon-she" than "honkey" – disappointing to some of you, we know.)

#5B: Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept.

Though hardly the newest car on the Shanghai show floor, this conceptual version of the next Renault Alpine was nevertheless one of the biggest draws at the show. The bullet-fast bodywork, racing livery and exotically curved rear fascia all helped to make the A110-50 a favorite amongst the Autoblog editorial cadre, too. 400 horsepower from a mid-mounted V6 would certainly offer performance to live up to the Alpine legend, should Renault move forward with a similarly powered road-going version.

Ford Escort returns... as a concept

Ford is kickin' it old school at the Shanghai Motor Show for 2013 with a new Escort Concept – "a name that stirs up thoughts of basic, affordable transportation rather than great driving dynamics or bold design" as we said in our initial preview of the small C-segment sedan. Or, as Ford puts it, "Customers in China described seeking a vehicle that is stylish – but not one that is arrogant or pretentious." Potato, potahto...
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It's an interesting amalgam of design notes with Ford's recent and stylish hexagonal grille up front, flanked by some pretty busy LED light clusters and chrome-trimmed air intakes at the lower extremities of the fascia, but the Escort Concept is not altogether unattractive. Besides its external appearance, we really don't have much information to report – Ford has not yet hinted at what may be powering this little machine, but we'd expect something with four cylinders and less that 2.0 liters of displacement sending a modest number of horses to the front tires.

Icona Vulcano does a sultry striptease in Shanghai

Perhaps Icona didn't get the message that it's safe to reveal the entirety of the Vulcano now that the Shanghai Motor Show is underway, but we'll enjoy the half we can see and admit that we didn't expect to like it as much as we do. There's some Lexus LFA DNA in the face, some Ferrari 599 and F12 Berlinetta in the profile and a backside we've never seen before; the entire package manages a note all its own. At least, with the half we can see.

The placard next to the Vulcano presents more information than we know how to decipher at the moment: it weighs either 3,509 pounds or 3,597 pounds and has 870 or 950 horsepower depending on your choice of powertrain, those driveline options apparently being either gasoline, hybrid, two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The sprint from 0-60 miles per hour is either 2.9 or 3.0 seconds, and the top speed is 217 miles per hour. And if the lead image on Icona's site is to be believed, the Vulcano has a seven-speed transmission, a rev counter that goes to 10,000, a horsepower meter and a seriously futuristic digital dashboard.

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Citroën Wild Rubis helps the DS cross over

What we have here is an urban crossover from Citroën that is the newest member of its well-received DS lineup, and we're told it will soon lead to a production machine with similar styling and intent. We'd love to tell you more, but the quirky French manufacturer hasn't actually revealed many details about the machine.

We do know that the Wild Rubis boasts a full plug-in hybrid drivetrain, but we have no idea what that all includes, what kind of power it produces or, well... anything else, really. Come to think of it, we don't even know if it can move under its own power. It's painted a wild ruby color, hence its name, and we think it's pretty.

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Suzuki Authentics Concept is genuine but drab

Looks can certainly be deceiving. Have a glance at this new Suzuki Authentics concept, for example – we were told that this would, essentially, be a proper sedan version of the new SX4, but our folks on the ground in Shanghai tell us it's actually much larger. Like, bigger than the Kizashi. (Hey, remember the Kizashi?)

Regardless, Suzuki says that the Authentics concept previews a C-segment vehicle for the Chinese market. A good move, too, since that segment has the highest volume in the Chinese market. (That's why automakers like Ford, for example, have more than one offering in the class.) If we're honest, the Authentics concept looks a bit "meh" for our tastes – there isn't a whole lot of emotion going on here with the design. Consider it a competitor for that spiffy new Ford Escort that also took the stage here in Shanghai.

We don't have any more details about the Authentics concept at the moment, but considering the fact that Suzuki has officially exited the US market, at least we don't have to worry about this thing showing up on our shores anytime soon.

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2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario is indeed worth celebrating

The entire Porsche Panamera lineup gets a refresh for the 2014 model year, and new additions to the range include two long-wheelbase models and this E-Hybrid fuel-sipper that makes its debut here at the Shanghai Motor Show. And, well, we say "fuel-sipper" lightly.

Here is the Giallo Maggio candle that carries the flame of Lamborghini's 50th anniversary: the
Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario Edition. There will be just 100 of them produced, each one in the buttery hue that has been the most popular color among the Lamborghini palette since the Miura arrived in 1966.

This limited-edition Aventador gets 20 more horsepower than the standard car for a total of 720 horses, and there's a new aerodynamics package to keep all of them planted on the ground. Inside, there's new leather in colors tied to the Bolognese home of Lamborghini: Terra Emilia brown or Giallo Quercus yellow, and black. A new diamond type of stitching also sets it apart from any other Aventador out there.




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2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is one mean green machine

The entire Porsche Panamera lineup gets a refresh for the 2014 model year, and new additions to the range include two long-wheelbase models and this E-Hybrid fuel-sipper that makes its debut here at the Shanghai Motor Show. And, well, we say "fuel-sipper" lightly.

Porsche has packed its hybrid Panamera with 416 horsepower and 435 pound-feet of torque, and that certainly makes for one quick sedan-hatchback-thing. Hitting 60 miles per hour will reportedly take just 5.2 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 167 mph. And while Porsche hasn't revealed specific powertrain details, the company says that the S E-Hybrid "improves upon the concept offered by the previous Panamera S Hybrid with a more powerful electric motor," which leads us to believe that the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine at the heart of it all still remains intact.

Fuel economy numbers (or estimates) have not been released as of this writing, but we expect to have that information closer to the car's on-sale date later this year. As for the new battery system, Porsche says that when plugged into a 240-volt charging station, it can be fully charged in just two and a half hours. When topped off, the Panamera S E-Hybrid should have an electric driving range of around 20 miles at speeds up to 84 mph, though, obviously, not at the same time.

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Nissan Friend-Me Concept is cooler than its name

Here is the Nissan Friend-Me, a swoopy – and let us emphasize that word "swoopy" – sedan-with-a-hatchback developed specifically for Chinese youth in their mid-twenties, the ones born in the '80s mainly bereft of siblings due to China's one-child policy. The exterior is meant to be most imposing at night, when Nissan figures these single children will be getting together with their friends. The sheetmetal looks like it was shaped by waves, and the details like lighting and vent openings could have been penned on Krypton.

The real show is inside, where peers are made equal and can interact with one another via the "oracle stone." The concept is that instead of a driver and three passengers, everyone gets access to the same information and the ability to alter the ambiance of the car – dash readouts are provided for all of the occupants, and anyone can move content from their phones to the in-car screens to be shared throughout. As Nissan says, it's the end of anyone being a "music dictator."

Designed by Nissan Design China for a specific market-within-a-market estimated to contain 240 million potential buyers, Nissan says the wishes of these customers and the ideas in this car could shape automotive offerings for decades to come.

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Mitsubishi Concept G4 leaves us feeling blue

To say we were unimpressed by the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage that debuted in New York earlier this year would be one heck of an understatement. So pardon us for not oohing and aahing over the Concept G4 that we're seeing for the first time here in Shanghai. It is, basically, a Mirage sedan. Try to contain your excitement.

Mitsubishi states that it intends to roll out the production version of the G4 Concept globally, powered by a 1.2-liter MIVEC engine mated to a continuously variable transmission that should at least be good for some substantial fuel economy gains. The Mirage, after all, is rated at 37/44 miles per gallon city/highway. We're also told that the car will be very lightweight, and that this should aid in making this thing not drive like a total dud.

We'll wait and see how the relatively sharp lines of the concept transfer to production form, but given that we already know what the Mirage looks like, we have a pretty good feeling that we'll be just as underwhelmed the second time around.

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2014 Maserati Ghibli snarls in Shanghai

Big things are happening at Maserati, where the automaker is looking to increase its sales to 50,000 units annually. In addition to the revised Quattroporte that we saw at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, Maserati has launched the all-new Ghibli here in Shanghai – a smaller, more driver-focused model that will take on the likes of the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

At launch, the Ghibli will be offered with three six-cylinder engines, two gas and one diesel. The base engine is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 330 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, good for a 0-62 time of 5.6 seconds. The more powerful Ghibli S, however, comes with a twin-turbocharged version of this engine, good for 410 hp and 406 lb-ft, reducing that 0-62 time to just five seconds flat. On the diesel end, the Ghibli will offer a 3.0-liter diesel V6 with 275 hp and 443 lb-ft of twist, able to do that same 62-mile-per-hour run in a still impressive 6.3 seconds. The more powerful Ghibli S will also be available with Maserati's new Q4 all-wheel-drive system, though we're told that this feature cannot be had on right-hand-drive versions.

As for what we can see here in Shanghai, the Ghibli looks pretty darn good, though that front fascia reminds us an awful lot of the BMW 3 Series. (Seriously, just picture the Bimmer with a more gaping grille opening.) Maserati will offer the Ghibli with standard 18-inch wheels, though 19s, 20s, and even 21s will be available as optional extras.

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Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept makes fast friends at Shanghai show

Last year, Renault created the Alpine A110-50 Concept to mark the 50th anniversary of the original Renault A110, but we had to wait until this year's Shanghai Motor Show to see the stunning concept in person. First introduced in 1961, the A110 became a dominating force in the rally car circuit in the early 1970s, and the A110-50 Concept shows what a future version of the car could be – although there's still no official word if Renault plans to ever bring this car to production.

As a refresher, this concept pays homage to the classic A110 with its Alpine Blue paint job and hood-mounted foglights, but its wavy rear wing, scissor doors and curvaceous carbon fiber body are all modern cues. This concept gets its power from a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 producing 400 horsepower, which is controlled through a six-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. For more information on this concept (including a digital video of the car in motion) head on over to our previous post of the car from last year.




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Hongqi L9 offers retro-weird style for Chinese bigwigs

Hongqi means "Red Flag," and the sub-brand of Chinese automaker FAW was created in the 1950s to build cars for leaders of the nation known by its red flag. In those early days Hongqi designers took inspiration from what looks to be fifties Chevrolets; these days they've kept a little of the Chevrolet but look more the way of England. The L9 executive sedan about the length of a Rolls-Royce Phantom – on Mercedes S-Class-like wheels – and not much cheaper than the Rolls, to boot.

According to China Car Times this L9 is the civilian version of the bulletproof L9 sedan that carried then-chairman Hu Jin Tao through the capital during the 60th anniversary celebration of The People's Republic. It's a little shorter and gone are the bulletproof body and platform, but you'll still get a 6.0-liter V12 with something like 400 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. FAW hasn't released any info and listed prices vary greatly – anywhere from $800,000 to one million pounds ($1.5M US) – and it's not even clear if people can buy it or if it's merely meant to be for VIPs.

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MG CS Concept takes Morris Garages softroading

Although we now have live images of it, we don't know anything more about the MG CS SUV concept now than we did a week ago when the Sino-Anglo brand previewed it. A compact SUV looking for some of the lucre being thrown at that segment, it's not made for the MG purist. But if parent company SAIC can keep the production version close to the concept, it could find a lot of new MG fans.

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BMW X4 hatches its fastback shape in Shanghai

 The day has finally come for BMW to pull the covers off its X4 Concept at the Shanghai Motor Show. The machine brings few surprises – we've already seen an official image gallery from the German automaker, so its exterior shape was well known – but at least now we get to see it with our own eyes, and with the lenses of our very own cameras.

You can clearly see the fastback roofline in our high-res image gallery above, along with the jacked-up stance that allows BMW to call this machine a Sports Activity Vehicle, which basically means "Crossover" to our friends in Munich. We've seen similar vehicle shapes before, most notably in the form of the BMW X6, but also as far back as the 1980s from the likes of AMC.
We fully expect the transition from concept to production to be pretty seamless, so what we see here is, for the most part, what we'll see on the showroom floor in 2014.

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Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept gets mobbed in China

If the reception it received at the Shanghai Motor Show is any judge of marketplace acceptance, Mercedes-Benz has a hit on its hands in the form of the GLA Concept. And we can understand why – we're quickly becoming fans of Mercedes' recent styling language, as defined by new models like the CLA and this GLA Concept.

The big news on the exterior front are the headlamp clusters, which have frickin' laser beams attached to their foreheads embedded inside that are capable of projecting videos and images on a screen. Plus, a pair of video cameras are mounted on the roof that can be used to capture driving excitement or removed and taken with you. How cool is that? We just hope they have a substantial locking mechanism to prevent would-be thievery...