Road to the future
1. VW V6 Magotan
Volkswagen's 3.2-liter V6 Magotan will be launched in China as an import soon. It will be marketed by part of the existing Volkswagen-brand dealerships of the company's joint venture in northeastern China. The "B-segment" sedan produces maximum power of 187KW/6,250rpm and offers a peak torque of 330Nm/2,750-3,750rpm with a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The Magotan's laser welding length reaches 44 meters. It also has lots of safety features, such as its electric stability program, electric braking distribution and smart keyless entry.
The Magotan is 4.765 meters long, 1.82 meters wide and 1.472 meters high. It has a 2.709-meter wheelbase.
2. Chery A1 micro car
The Chery A1 micro car will be launched on the domestic market this month. The Italian-designed model is equipped with a four-cylinder, 1.3-liter DOHC engine that can produce maximum power of 61KW/6,000rpm. With a five-speed manual gearbox offering a top torque of 114Nm/3,800-4,500rpm, the A1 can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 18 seconds. It has a top speed of 156 kilometers per hour. The car is 3.7 meters long, 1.578 meters wide, and 1.527 meters high. Chery Automobile spent 1 billion yuan to develop the A1.
3. Peugeot 908 RC
The Peugeot 908 RC concept will make its debut Asian appearance in Shanghai. The model is equipped with a 5.5-liter V12 diesel engine and a six-speed electrically controlled sequential transmission. It produces peak power of 515KW and offers a top torque of 1,200Nm. The 908 RC has a maximum speed of more than 300 kilometers per hour. The model also comes with two diesel particulate filters that cut emission significantly. The 908 RC is 5.123 meters long, 2.154 meters wide and 1.370 meters high.
4. Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60 concept is to make its Asian debut at the Shanghai auto show. It is equipped with a six-cylinder, 3.2-liter engine. Using fuel made up of 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline, it can produce maximum power of 265hp and offer a top torque of 340Nm while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent. The four-wheel-drive model can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 228 kilometers per hour. The XC60 indicates that the company will make its Scandinavian design heritage more "emotional and radiant" by adding sculptured and exciting shapes as well as new and innovative features.
5. BMW X5
BMW's new-generation X5 is being launched during the Shanghai auto show. The X5 has two engine options a 4.8-liter V8 and a 3-liter four-cylinder. Both of them come with a six-speed automatic gearbox. The 4.8-liter produces a maximum power of 261KW and offers a top torque of 475Nm/3,400-3,800rpm. It has a highest speed of 240 kilometers per hour and can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour within 6.5 seconds. The 3-liter produces maximum power of 200KW and offers a top torque of 315Nm/2,750rpm. It has a top speed of 225 kilometers per hour and can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour within 8.1 seconds. The new X5 is 4.854 meters long, 1.933 meters wide and 1.766 meters high.
6. Mercedes-Benz S350 L
The Mercedes-Benz S350 L upgrade version will make its China debut during the Shanghai auto show. Compared with its predecessor, the new S350 L comes with a lot of impressive standard features, such as the rear seat entertainment system, panorama sunroof, integrated safety system and a Chinese-language version of the DVD navigation system. The model comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and 7G-Tronic, seven-speed automatic gearbox. It produces maximum power of 200KW/6,000rpm and offers a top torque of 350Nm/2,400-5,000rpm. It can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 7.2 seconds and its highest speed is 250 kilometers per hour. The sedan is 5.206 meters long, 1.872 meters wide and 1.473 meters high. It has a 3.165-meter wheelbase.
7. Kia Cerato hatchback
Kia's all-new Cerato hatchback is to make its global debut in Shanghai. The compact model will be introduced into the South Korean carmaker's joint venture in China at the end of this year. The Cerato hatchback has a "young, dynamic and fashionable" design, and targets buyers between 20 to 30 years old. The Cerato hatchback is expected to significantly boost Kia's sales in China, where hatchbacks are becoming more popular. No specifications for the model have been disclosed. The Kia venture is making a Cerato notchback which has two engine options: 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter.
(Shanghai Start 04/21/2007 page14)
