Beijing Auto Show 2012
The beginning of a new financial year is always the time to fantasize about spending the entire payroll in one sitting, and where better to dream about having unlimited wealth than in China, where the rest of the world’s economies seem to be vacationing these days. Enter the Biennial Beijing Auto Show 2012, an automotive expo that has established itself as not only the Asian auto show of choice but as an occasion to rival the Frankfurt and Detroit events in size and attendance.
China is the fastest growing market for cars in the world, so it’s unsurprising to see such growth. But what does that mean to the common or garden petrol-head based in the austerity stricken west? Lots of damned fine newcars and concepts. The Beijing Motor Show 2012 may not begin until the 23rd of April, but we already have a pretty good idea of what we can expect to see. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts looks at the highlights known so far:
Following are the top 5 cars to look out for at the Beijing Auto show 2012
Citroen DS9
At one time naturally assumed to be the “DS6”, the latest luxury model in Citroen’s DS series has mysteriously picked up the name associated until now with a really bad series of Star Trek. Touted as a “flagship” model in most motor mags, the idea is presumably to fill in the gaps in the DS range with ever so slightly less luxurious vehicles once the DS9’s promotional potential has been exhausted. The DS class is a staple of Luxury Nationwide Vehicle Contracts and the DS9 is an impressive looking motor: imposing, smoothly contoured and full of class.
Dodge Dart / Fiat Viaggio
An odd situation: Dodge models in Europe have been rebadged under the Fiat name since mid-2011. And whilst it’s true that Dodge’s brand recognition in Europe isn’t healthy, they aren’t brands that overlap. Speaking from a British perspective, Dodge are the muscle car makers, Fiat are best known for making doddery little hatchbacks. Well, the resurrection of the Dodge Dart in 2013 will boost the Fiat image: it is now to be known in China and Europe as the “Fiat Viaggio”. It’s a nice looking compact sedan, but the main selling point (especially for the Fiat / Chrysler Dodge partnership itseld) has been its 40 miles per gallon efficiency.
Bertone Nuccio Concept
If you are looking forward to attend the Beijing Motor Show 2012, then you must be anticipating to see this beauty. Only in Italy could cars have stylists. 100 years of Gruppo Bertone design has given us famous luxury and sports cars for Alfa Romeo, Fiat, BMW, Jaguar, Lamborghini and… err, Skoda. Though still very much in the business of creating bodywork, Bertone have increasingly created self-badged concept cars in the last decade. Their latest attempt is the Bertone Nuccio, a piece of catwalk-style fashion that, if we were mean, kind of looks like a Tron Doorstop. It’s certainly eye-catching though, and all good design concepts push the boundaries to some degree…
Bertone Nuccio Concept Car
BMW’s i8 Spyder
The concept of the “Electric Supercar” hasn’t been laughable for some time, and one of the most exciting vehicles soon to enter mass production is the BMW i8. Boasting an all electric range of 35km, this plug-in hybrid is at the cutting edge of sports-car design, including wing-like upward swinging doors. This feature has been retained even on the i8 Spyder, the open-topped two seater version set to be unveiled in Beijing Motor Show 2012.
Ferrari 458 Italia Special Edition
Though China is thought of as a ‘newly industrialised’ nation (and thus an automobile consuming powerhouse), the upper crust were still a viable market twenty years ago when Ferrari started trading there. In commemoration of the anniversary, they’re releasing a special edition of their V8 mid-engine sportscar, the 458 Italia. In addition to a new “Marco Polo Red” and a gold dragon motif on the hood, the interior has a lush looking red trim and insanely decadent looking gold embroidery on its leather elements.
These were the top 5 cars one must be looking forward to see at the Beijing Motor Show 2012. If you are a car enthusiast, this too is another good read for you. Top 5 sexiest cars for 2012
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