The biennial Beijing Auto Show is often overlooked by media, but it’s one of the most important events in the auto show season. That’s because it reflects the trends that are actively shaping the world’s largest new car market.
Crossovers, SUVs, and sedans reign supreme in China. It’s rare to see a station wagon, and coupes have never really caught on. The country’s air pollution problems are well documented by the World Health Organization and others, so few will be surprised to learn that convertibles are nearly non-existent.
Porsche’s Cayman coupe surfs the industry’s downsizing wave with a mid-mounted turbo four.
With that in mind, we were surprised to see the Audi TT RS and the Porsche 718 Cayman make their world debut in the Chinese capital. The 718 Cayman swaps its predecessor’s naturally-aspirated flat-six for a turbocharged flat-four. The base 718 Cayman uses a 2.0-liter flat-four rated at 300 horsepower, while the more powerful 718 Cayman S benefits from a 2.5-liter unit that delivers 350 horsepower.
Audi’s TT RS hits 62 mph from a stop in just 3.7 seconds, a figure that makes it faster than the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.
The RS is positioned at the very top of the TT hierarchy. Power is provided by a turbocharged 2.5-liter straight-five engine tuned to send 400 horsepower and a solid 354 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. The extra power is complemented by upgraded brake and suspension components, and a discreet body kit that gives the TT a more muscular look.
The average Jaguar XFL buyer is someone with enough money to hire a chauffeur.
In big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the most effective way that the country’s elite have found to deal with traffic jams is to ride in the back seat and hire someone to drive them around. The long-wheelbase sedan segment is consequently booming, and no less than three new entrants were displayed at the show.
Mercedes unveiled the E-Class L, while Audi debuted the A4 L and Jaguar showed the XF L. The three models are all but identical to their U.S.-spec variants save for a few additional inches of ground clearance between the axles. Want one? You’re out of luck, because they’re built only in China and exclusively for the local market—at least for the time being.
A toned-down version of the QX Sport Inspiration concept will likely replace the sleek-looking QX70.
Crossovers were out in full force, too. Mazda, Renault, Honda, and Acura introduced production-bound models, while Volkswagen and Infiniti opted to show concepts. The one that indisputably attracted the most attention during the two media days was Volkswagen’s T-Prime. It’s billed as a design study, but read between the lines and you’ll see a thinly-veiled preview of the next generation Touareg that’s scheduled to land in the coming years.
The CDX crossover stands out as the first Acura ever manufactured in China.
Acura’s CDX, an entry-level offering that’s loosely based on the Honda HR-V, was a crowd pleaser too. It’s China-only for the time being, but sources close to Acura suggest that the CDX could arrive in North American showrooms in the not-too-distant future.
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.