► A quick look at the key cars being shown
► We’ll update this list when we get Wi-Fi…
► A huge show compared to Geneva
The 2024 Beijing motor show is here and, as you’d expect, it’s a bustling show full of many brands you’ve heard of – and many more you probably haven’t.
In contrast to the atrophied stands of the Geneva motor show, Beijing has seen a host new metal revealed, from the all-new electric G-Class to the new Volkswagen ID.CODE. On this page we’ve run through the key cars revealed in the Chinese capital.
BMW
Munich has toned down the 4-Series a little, with a range of updates designed to make it a touch more sophisticated and a little less shocking than it may have done at launch.
Alongside tweaks to the grille, there are two new colours – Cape York Green and Fire Red – as well as new rims on offer. Inside it’ll continue to use the same curved infotainment screen as the current model.
It’s a similar story for the i4 EV, too; Munich’s popular BEV gets a matt chrome or gloss grille surround, and there are also new ‘Laserlight’ headlights on the spec list. It gets the same new colours as the ICE car as well.
Lamborghini
The era of the hybrid powertrain is well and truly upon us. Lamborghini has swapped out its Urus Performante Urus V8 for this, the Urus SE PHEV. It features a V8 engine and an electric motor that produce a combined 789bhp and 701lb ft power output, good for 62mph in 3.4 seconds (0.1sec quicker than a Urus S) and onto a top speed of 194mph.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes revealed a handful of new cars at the show, but the main event has to be the electric G-Class. Revealed in concept form a couple of years ago, but now finally shown in production guise, the new electric G-Class keeps the same ladder chassis as the ICE car, but powers it with four electric motors for a combined output of 579bhp.
Mercedes engineers have only managed to squeeze 300 miles from the electric G-Wagen’s 116kWh battery, mostly because it weighs three tonnes and has the same aerodynamic properties as a house brick. Don’t expect to get anywhere those figures when you’re trying tank turns or testing out the car’s sub-5.0 second 0-62mph sprint time, though.
One more thing, just don’t call it the EQ – it’s the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology or Electric G-class. No, we don’t understand why either.
AMG GT 63 E-Performance plug-in
Mercedes’ biggest news for Beijing might have been the electric G-Wagen, but the company’s performance arm didn’t want to be left out of the party – so it brought an updated version of the AMG GT PHEV. It was originally shown last week at the Chinese GP, and it packs in some 805bhp thanks to a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo and electric motor.
MINI
We’ve seen electric Minis before, but this is the first that’ll be sold solely as a battery electric vehicle. Revealed the motor show, it sits somewhere between the Cooper and larger Countryman. First deliveries of the Aceman will start in November 2024, with prices starting from £31,800.
Smart
Smart is growing up. The Concept #5 reveals a new, chunkier more robust vision of Smart – and one that’ll be the biggest car from the brand when it makes it to production. Look past some of the more experimental aspects, and you’ll see a few neat touches that’ll almost certainly make it into the production-spec car; the grille has evolved into something less ‘swoopy’ and curvy than the #1, while the interior gets a swish dash-spanning infotainment setup.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen has built a new car for its Chinese buyers – and it won’t be the last. It represents a new direction in VW design language that’s aimed specifically at Chinese customers, and the new model has also been primed with cutting-edge tech.
As you’d expect it’s got several features that’ll never see the light of day such as AI-assisted light and display systems. The CODE is also capable of level four autonomous driving – though you’ll have to find somewhere to use it first…