Auto Shanghai 2021 – BYD Debuts e-Platform 3.0; Mitsubishi Teases Electric SUV And More…

Auto Shanghai, the first major automotive show to physically open since the Covid-19 pandemic began, is now underway. Under the motto ‘Embracing Change’, the event is focusing on major trends in the automotive industry like electromobility, connectivity, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and new mobility concepts.

It opens to the public from April 21st to 28th.

Here are the headlines so far…

BYD has officially released the e-platform 3.0 for electric vehicles. The new platform is designed for the next generation of high-performance smart EVs. BYD says an electric vehicle equipped with the e-platform 3.0 takes just 2.9 seconds to go from 0 to 100km/h, with a cruising range of up to 1,000km.

With 800V fast charging technology, an electric vehicle can be charged for just 5 minutes to give it a range of 150km, while power consumption per 100 kilometers is reduced by 10%, and the cruising range is 10% longer in winter.

BYD has also unveiled the X DREAM concept car, which uses Chinese ‘knot elements’ for the first time, with the shape of the car’s lights demonstrating the fusion of technology and culture. BYD says this Chinese knot element will become a key design feature in its models in the future.

Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) has teased its all-new electric SUV AIRTREK at the auto show. Designed exclusively for the Chinese market, the all-new AIRTREK will be launched by the end of 2021 as the fourth model of MMC’s lineup in China.

The new EV was announced by GAC Mitsubishi Motors Co., Ltd. (GMMC), MMC’s vehicle production and sales joint venture in China.

“We have developed the AIRTREK as an SUV that enables customers to enjoy limitless adventures,” said John Signoriello, executive officer, responsible for global marketing and sales, MMC. “”We have developed the AIRTREK as an SUV that enables customers to enjoy limitless adventures.”

BMW iX has had its world premiere in Shanghai. Its the first model in the brand’s line-up to feature the new Operating System 8 and the latest generation of BMW iDrive, which turns the interaction between the driver and vehicle into an intuitive, personal and emotionally engaging experience.

The BMW iX is also 5G-capable, enabling fast and reliable transfer of large quantities of data between the vehicle and the BMW Cloud.

Additional highlights include the world premiere of the BMW 7 Series Two-Tone special-edition model created exclusively for customers in China and a look ahead to the fully electric BMW i4 in M Sport specification.

XPeng Motors (NYSE: XPEV) has exhibited and kicked off pre-orders for its third production model, the XPeng P5. The smart EV offers a 3^rd generation cockpit with a new level of rich and customisable features – enabled by all-voice assistance and powerful connectivity.

The P5’s Xmart OS 3.0, the latest generation of XPeng’s in-car operation system, supports full-scenario all-voice interaction.

Also showcased at the Shanghai Auto Show is the Traveler X1, the latest innovation in personal manned flying vehicle by the XPeng Heitech brand.

“Our multi-dimensional approach to innovation demonstrates our readiness to break the traditional limits of driving and transportation, and create new solutions,” says Xpeng Chairman and CEO Mr. He Xiaopeng.

“Our new generation of intelligent vehicles and our superlative intelligent driving architecture are the bases for the next cycle of innovation, promising even more exciting developments ahead.”

Geely Holding’s newest premium electric vehicle brand, Zeekr, has brought its first model, the Zeekr 001 to the exhibition floor for its first official public event. Developed on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), the flagship model offers over 700km of pure electric range and a high-performance package wrapped in technology.

The new brand was unveiled to the media a few days ahead of the Shanghai show.

Daniel Donghui Li, CEO of Geely Holding, says: “We are committed to a decarbonised future driven by electric mobility. Geely will be at the forefront of these efforts across its brands and partnerships, Just as the internal combustion engine revolutionised transport a century ago, Geely is now accelerating efforts to electrify its future products and services, which we are confident will deliver value for customers, value for shareholders and for wider society. This is the right road for our company to be on.”

Honda has exhibited the world premiere of the Honda SUV e:prototype, a prototype model of the first Honda-brand electric vehicle in China, at Auto Shanghai 2021.

In China, Honda will introduce 10 Honda-brand EV models within five years. The mass-production model based on the Honda SUV e:prototype is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2022 as the symbolic first Honda-brand EV in China. Moreover, striving to attain its goal to ‘realize carbon neutrality by 2050’, Honda will evolve a number of comprehensive strategies while viewing the ‘electrified society’ from a broad perspective beyond the electrification of products.

The exhibit at the Honda automobile booth is showcasing the comprehensive lineup of Honda’s electrified vehicles consisting of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV models. This includes the world premiere of the Breeze PHEV, GAC Honda’s first plug-in hybrid model.

In addition, the technology presentation booth is exhibiting the third-generation Honda CONNECT which was introduced last month in China and Honda’s omnidirectional ADAS the next-generation advanced safety and driver-assistive system, enabling visitors to experience new technologies that contribute to the safety and comfort of everyday mobility.

The Maserati Levante Hybrid has been revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show, becoming the brand’s first electrified SUV. The Levante Hybrid is faster than a diesel, more sustainable than diesel or gasoline, and unique in its specific characteristics.

The Maserati SUV, which has already made an impact in the history of the Brand with its record-breaking figures, now presses ahead into a future in which all new Trident models will be electrified.

With the Levante Hybrid, Maserati says it’s pursuing ‘the philosophy behind its entry into the world of electrification: the aim of improving performance while staying true to the Brand’s values, delivering speed and agility while saving fuel and reinforcing the Trident’s dedication to driving pleasure and luxury’.

Maserati CEO, Davide Grasso, comments: “Shanghai Auto Show is an extremely important event for our Brand. The Show marks a rebirth in difficult times. We believe strongly in this new beginning, and today we are showcasing several world premieres that project us straight into the future. The stand is dominated by the Brand’s first electrified SUV, Levante Hybrid, which completes the Levante range and creates a new “family within the family”, now comprising V6 and V8 gasoline and hybrid propulsion systems.”

Volkswagen continues its electrification offensive in China with the third addition to its expanding ID. family, the ID.6. Two versions of the fully electric family SUV are available, the ID.6 CROZZ01, which is being manufactured in the north of China, and the ID.6 X01, which is being built in the south. The multi-variable all-round model has room for up to seven people.

The ID.6 is a continuation of Volkswagen’s regionalisation strategy and is another important step towards becoming the most sought-after brand for sustainable mobility in China.

“With the new ID.6, we are laying the foundations for at least 50% of our cars sold in China being electric by 2030,” said Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of the Volkswagen brand.

“We are maintaining momentum and gradually increasing our range of MEB cars: By 2023, Volkswagen will have a total of eight ID. models in China, making MEB nationwide there. The economies of scale that we have achieved allow us to offer the latest technology at an affordable price – and thus further expand our electric offensive,” her adds.

Like the compact ID.3 and the ID.4, the third member of the fully electric family is also based on the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB). The ID.6 makes full use of the strengths of MEB: It enables consistently high quality worldwide, with equally high standards – and also leaves room to develop individual models specifically for certain markets or regions of the world. 

The luxury automotive brand Genesis officially introduced its first electric vehicle, the Electrified G80, to the global market.  Its range per charge is more than 500km and it features a 400V/800V multi rapid charging system, allowing customers to use various charging infrastructures.

It also has a solar roof integrated in the roofline that can generate electricity using sunlight with a solar panel that increases energy efficiency.

“Today is very special because it represents a variety of firsts for the Genesis brand. Not only because this is Genesis’ very first appearance at the Auto Shanghai, but it is also the first time we are unveiling a new product outside of Korea,” says Jay Chang, Global Head of the Genesis brand.

“The Electrified G80, the perfect balance of athleticism and elegance, marks the beginning of our journey into the EV market, representing Genesis in the era of electrification.”

In addition to debuting the Electrified G80, Genesis presented the Genesis X Concept, an EV-based Gran Turismo (GT) concept car, to the Asian market for the first time.

For more information on this story, plus copyright-free images, follow the link below.

GENESIS PREMIERES THE FIRST ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT AUTO SHANGHAI 2021 (thenewsmarket.com)

Nissan has introduced the Nissan’s e-POWER electrified powertrain technology to China. The technology features a 100% electric motor-driven system that delivers the same responsive acceleration, smooth deceleration, and quietness of an EV, while removing the need for external charging thanks to an on-board gasoline engine that charges the battery when necessary.

Now in its second generation, e-POWER has been extensively redesigned and redeveloped to produce more power, and improved efficiency.

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced Toyota bZ, its newly established series of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). At Auto Shanghai, it unveiled a concept version of the Toyota bZ4X, which will be the first model in the bZ series.

The Toyota bZ4X is an SUV BEV jointly developed with Toyota’s partner, Subaru. This new vehicle adopts the e-TNGA BEV-dedicated platform that was jointly developed by the two companies. ‘bZ’ stands for ‘beyond Zero’.

Audi has unveiled the four-door Audi A6 e-tron concept.  A completely new technology architecture, the ‘Premium Platform Electric’, or PPE for short, will serve as the technology platform for these vehicles in the future. Beginning in late 2022, the first production cars in the C- and later also B-segment will be relaunched with PPE technology.

The Audi A6 e-tron concept’s two electric motors are capable of delivering a total output of 350 kW and a torque of 800 Newton meters.

For more Auto Shanghai stories, follow the link.

Auto Shanghai 2021 (thenewsmarket.com)