Beijing Motor Show 2014: news review

The Beijing Motor Show 2014, otherwise known as the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, is one of the most important dates in the motoring calendar.

It's especially important for the manufacturers, as China is a very significant market, but there are plenty of new models that are set to be on display at the show, and we'll be bringing you the latest news from the show floor. Highlights at the show included the already-revealed Audi TT off-road concept, Peugeot's EXALT coupe, the stylish Citroen DS5 LS R, the Mercedes SUV Concept Coupe and a Bentley Hybrid concept. Read on for our round-up of each big model at the Beijing Motor Show 2014 and all the news that came from this year's show.

• Best cars at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show• Weird and wonderful cars of the Beijing Motor Show

Beijing Motor Show 2014: the big car launches

Volkswagen Golf R 400

That's right - nearly 400bhp in a Volkswagen Golf hatchback. This new concept marks 40 years since the VW Golf was first launched, with VW claiming the concept ‘reflects the sporty potential of the model series.’

It features the same 2.0-litre TSI engine but it has been heavily revised to produce 395bhp and 450Nm of torque – up from the standard model’s 296bhp and 380Nm output. At this moment in time VW has stated there are no plans to develop a production model. 

Volkswagen Touareg facelift

The facelifted VW Touareg went on display at the show. Subtle exterior and interior styling tweaks along with new tech have all been added to Volkswagen’s largest SUV, which will go on sale in August. 

A reshaped front bumper and new bi-xenon headlight design at the front, round the back a new rear bumper, redesigned diffuser and LED rear fog lights integrated into the bumper make up the bulk of changes.

Volkswagen also announced that it would soon make a decision about a new budget brand it's planning to tackle the Chinese market. The German marque sold over 3million cars in China in 2013.

• Weird and wonderful cars of the Beijing Motor Show

Hyundai ix25

This is the Hyundai ix25, a new compact SUV that debuted at the Beijing Motor Show. The ix25 is expected to go on sale later this year for the Chinese market only.

Audi Q4 concept

The Audi TT Offroad Concept points to a production car likely to be badged Q4, and adds traditional SUV styling cues to the sporty profile of the recently unveiled TT.  

Inside the five-door concept, Audi has gone for a 2+2 set-up with the rear seats capable of folding down at least partially. Controls are focused on the wheel, freeing up the dash for a cleaner look and suggesting a driver-oriented experience. Power is expected to come from an e-tron plug-in hybrid system that’ll drive all four wheels, although Audi has remained tight-lipped on performance figures.

Lexus NX 4x4

The Lexus NX is an Audi Q5 and Range Rover Evoque rival, and is based on the bold LF-NX concept we saw at last year’s Frankfurt and Tokyo motor shows. 

The NX retains the large spindle grille and aggressive split headlights inspired by IS F Sport saloon, but the concept’s radical styling appears to have been toned down slightly. It’s still visually striking though, and will be available with three powertrains, including a hybrid capable of around 65mpg.

Designed to slot below the next-generation RX in the Lexus line-up, prices are expected to start from around £30,000 when it goes on sale later this autumn.

Bentley Hybrid concept

Based on the Mulsanne saloon, this Bentley Hybrid concept previews the plug-in hybrid powertrain that will debut in Bentley’s forthcoming SUV from 2017 before making its way across the range. Bentley hasn’t been forthcoming with numbers, but official hints claim an increase in power of 25 percent and a drop in CO2 emissions of 70 percent. This would see the Mulsanne’s regular 505bhp 6.75-litre V8 engine manage 631bhp whilst emitting just 118g/km of CO2. The concept will also manage at least 31 miles on electric power alone before the engine kicks in. Marking the Hybrid concept Mulsanne is copper detailing on the headlamps, brake calipers and badgers, with further copper used to style the interior. 

Honda Concept B compact coupe 

This is the latest Honda Concept B, unveiled at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show. It previews a new destined for the Chinese market but we can imagine those sleek lines transfering onto a future replacement for the CR-Z.

Not that UK fans of the bold design should get their hopes up, as it’s a joint project with two Chinese partners – Guanggi Honda Automobile and Dongfeng Honda Automobile – and the production model will only be available domestically. 

Citroen DS 6WR

The DS 6WR is Citroen’s response to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, based on the Wild Rubis concept unveiled at last year’s Shanghai Motor Show. The premium SUV has been developed primarily for the Chinese market, although it may find its way to UK showrooms as well. The bulging rear section does resemble that of the concept, save for the revised taillights, while the dimensions mimic those of the Wild Rubis and two petrol engines will be available from launch. Prices are expected to start from 160,000 yuan (£15,400) when the DS 6WR goes on sale in China later this year, rising to 200,000 (£19,300) for top-of-the-range models.

Peugeot EXALT concept

The Peugeot EXALT concept has been developed to provide an insight into Peugeot’s future design language. It picks up where last year’s Onyx concept left off, featuring chiseled panels, a long bonnet and short rear overhangs. Links to current production cars can be seen in the headlamps and front grille, and the Exalt also uses a development of the minimalistic i-Cockpit interior layout first seen in the 308 hatchback. The concept also incorporates Peugeot’s next-generation Hybrid4 powertrain, which develops a total of 335bhp through the combination of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a rear axle-mounted electric motor.

BMW Future Vision Luxury concept

This is the BMW Future Vision Luxury concept, a car full of tech expected to appear on the next 7 Series.

BMW has revealed the Vision Future Luxury concept at the Beijing Motor Show, previewing the kind of styling, tech and hi-tech construction we can expect from its premium saloons,like the 7 Series, in years to come.

The concept is similar in size to the luxury car and, according to senior vice-president of design Adrian van Hooydonk, “takes our thinking on modern luxury a logical stage further”.

Expect to see some of the Vision Future Luxury’s features on the next-generation 7 Series, which is due to arrive in showrooms late in 2015.

Mercedes Concept Coupe SUV

The Mercedes Concept Coupe may be a concept, but it previews a very real production car likely to be badged MLC and set to rival the BMW X6 from 2015. As you can see the wide front grille, slim headlights and converging creases on the flanks echo the GLA-class. This picture also shows a drastically plunging roofline, underlining the coupe-SUV fusion alluded to by the concept’s name.

Citroen C-XR Concept

Citroen showed a new small SUV concept at Beijing Motor Show. The C-XR Concept previews a new SUV developed jointly by Citroen and its Chinese partner DongFeng Motor Group. The eventual production version will aim to cash in on China’s rapidly expanding crossover SUV market.

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge

The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept has featured on the Infiniti stand at a number of recent motor shows, and each time it seems to take yet another step towards reality. For Beijing there's be a film featuring four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel testing the Eau Rouge in his capacity as Infiniti’s Director of Performance. 

The Red Bull driver’s feedback is set to help the next stage of development, which involves “testing component, packaging and viability.” We already know the 552bhp flagship Q50 will share the Nissan GT-R’s 3.8-litre twin turbo V6, with all four wheels powered via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

An Infiniti Insider also revealed to Auto Express that the Eau Rouge is set to go into production.

Bugatti Veyron Black Bess edition

Lamborghini Aventador Nazionale

If a Chinese debut for the new Huracan wasn’t enough, Lamborghini also showed an Aventador Nazionale at Beijing.

According to a statement from the Italian manufacturer, the special edition is a “highly exclusive and appealing configuration” created by Ad Personam, Lamborghini’s personalisation programme that allows customers to design their own made-to-order supercar.

It’ll feature the standard Aventador’s 690bhp 6.5-litre V12 engine, offering the same 2.9 second 0-62mph time and maxing out 217mph.

Lamborghini President Stephan Winkelmann emphasised how important the Chinese market is to the company: “We entered China in 2005 and for us today in terms of sales China represents the second largest market in the world.” 

MINI Paceman facelift

Shortly after MINI unveiled the updated Countryman in New York, the facelifted MINI Paceman was revealed in Beijing.

Updates are minimal, with MINI’s primary focus to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Exterior changes amount to a black surround on the headlights and rear lamp cluster, but buyers can opt for a chrome finish as a no-cost option.

• Best cars at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show• Weird and wonderful cars of the Beijing Motor Show