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Shanghai super seven

(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-04-30 07:02

Editor's note: The Shanghai Auto Show was held last week, with more than 6,000 reporters from around the world covering the event. The 10-day show, which concluded on Saturday, attracted 100,000 visitors a day.

The auto gala exhibited 868 vehicles from nearly all global automakers, including 265 models from foreign manufacturers and 603 units from domestic companies, with 130 sedans transported from abroad. Five vehicles made their global premiere at the show, while more than 100 models had their debut in China. The expo also displayed over 20 concept cars and more than 10 clean-energy automobiles to represent the show's theme: "Perfect harmony of people, auto and nature".

China Business Weekly selects seven notable vehicles from the show, including home-grown brands, luxury sedans, a fine cabriolet and an endearing roadster.

Phantom Drophead Coupe

New Phantom Drophead Coupe from top luxury sedan producer Rolls-Royce made its premiere in China as the automaker began to accept the subscriptions during the show last week. The price will be released soon.

The coupe's power is supplied by the same 6.75-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine and 6-speed gearbox found in the Phantom saloon, providing a maximum output of 338Km/5350rpm and top torque of 720Nm/3500rpm. The handmade two-door and four-seat sedan is 5,609 millimeters long, 1,987 millimeters wide and 1,581 millimeters high, with a wheelbase of 3,320 millimeters.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS made its China premiere during the show. It retails at 1.88 million yuan in China after taxes.

The model is equipped with a 3.6-liter, six-cylinder Boxer engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. It produces a peak power of 305Kw/7,600rpm and offers a maximum torque of 405Nm/5,500rpm. The 911 GT3 RS can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 310 kilometers per hour. The convertible sports car's length, width and height are 4,460, 1,852 and 1,280 millimeters with a 2,360-millimeter wheelbase.

Lancer Evolution IX

Mitsubishi's new Lancer Evolution IX made its Asian debut during the show. The concept model comes with a variable valve-timing system on the intake valves for improved fuel economy while maintaining performance at high RPM.

Equipped with a 2-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission, the Lancer produces a peak power of 206Kw/6,500rpm and offers a top torque of 355Nm/3,500rpm. It is 4,490 millimeters long, 1,770 millimeters wide and 1,450 millimeters high. It has a 2,625-millimeter wheelbase.

Infiniti FX35

The Infiniti FX35 from Nissan Motor Co will be launched in China as an import in July. The luxury sport utility vehicle has two engine options 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 and 4.5-liter 32-valve V8. Both versions come with an electrically-controlled five-speed automatic gearbox with manual shift.

The 3.5-liter produces a maximum power of 206Kw/6,200rpm and offers a peak torque of 363Nm/4,800rpm. The top power and torque of the 4.5-liter stand at 241Kw/6,000rpm and 447Nm/4,000rpm. The Infiniti FX35's length, width and height are 4,820, 1,925 and 1,670 millimeters. It has a 2,850-millimeter wheelbase. Nissan plans to introduce five Infiniti models into China before the end of 2008.

BYD Auto F6

The F6 mid-sized sedan from China's indigenous carmaker BYD Auto made its debut at the auto show. The model is to be launched in September, retailing around 150,000 yuan.

It has two engine options 2-liter and 16-valve 2.4 liter. The 2-liter version produces a maximum power of 103Kw/6,000rpm and offer a peak torque of 186Nm/4,000-4,500rpm. The 2.4-liter produces a top power of 121Kw/5,000-6,000rpm and offer a maximum torque of 220Nm/3,500-4,500rpm. The F6 is 4,850 millimeters long, 1,822 millimeters wide and 1,465 millimeters high with a 2,740-millimeter wheelbase.

Opel Astra TwinTop

Astra TwinTop imported by Opel, the German arm of General Motors, made its debut on the eve of the auto show, priced at about 360,000 yuan.

With an ECOTEC 1.8-liter 16-valve engine and 4-speed gearbox, the cabriolet coupe has a top power of 103Kw/6300rpm and the maximum torque of 175Nm/3800rpm. The model's length, width and height are 4,476, 1,759, 1411 millimeters. It has a 2,614-millimeter wheelbase. Accelerating from zero to 100 kilometers per hour within 12.7 seconds, it has a top speed of 189 kilometers per hour.

Citroen Xsara Picasso

Citroen's new Xsara Picasso made at the company's venture in China retails between 125,800 and 153,800 yuan. The model has two engine options 1.6-liter and 16-valve 2-liter.

The 1.6-liter version produces a top power of 78Kw/5,750rpm and offer a peak torque of 142Nm/4,000rpm. The 2.0-liter produces a maximum power of 99Kw/6,000rpm and offer a top torque of 190Nm/4,100rpm. The new Xsara Picasso can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour with 12.8 seconds and has a top speed of 190 kilometers. The model's length, width and height are 4,287, 1,751, 1642 millimeters. It has a 2,760-millimeter wheelbase.

(China Daily 04/30/2007 page7)