Highlights from the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show

Once upon a time, a seasoned car enthusiast can list the major motor shows where car manufacturers often showcase their latest and greatest offerings: Detroit, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt. But things have been changing and evolving since the turn of the millennium, as the industry shifts away from its traditional power bases of Europe and North America.

China is now the biggest and most important car market in the world, and its own motor shows have grown in tandem in terms of stature. Beijing and Shanghai take turns to host what is now one of the most significant shows in the industry every April, and we take a look at what are the key highlights from this year’s Shanghai Auto Show.

The key theme that was pulsating through the Shanghai show was electrification, and even the likes of Aston Martin couldn’t escape the trend. Premiering at Shanghai was the brand’s first ever electric vehicle (EV), the Rapide E. Co-developed with Williams Advanced Engineering (as in the F1 team), and slated to appear as James Bond’s new ride in the next 007 film, the Rapide E showcases what the future holds for this storied brand. Goodbye 6.0-litre V12, hello batteries and instant acceleration.

Many companies’ vision for the future of urban motoring revolve around autonomous ‘pods’, or self-driving cars that look broadly similar in silhouette, differentiated only through brand design language, interior packaging and features. Audi’s AI:me (pronounced ‘Amy’) concept previews their idea for such a vehicle that will join the range probably within the next decade or so. The AI:me is a four-seater city runabout that’s smaller than the A1, and takes inspiration from the innovative A2 from the early 2000s. It boasts all the requisites of a ‘future car’, including an electric drivetrain and Level 4 autonomous driving capability. The name also points to the car’s ability to use Artificial Intelligence to learn owners’ habits and preferences, adjusting settings to suit without manual input.

In Singapore, BYD is more common recognised for its fleet of electric taxis roaming our streets. But the Shenzhen-based company is a formidable force in its home country, and is now in fact the largest EV manufacturer in the world. At Shanghai, it unveiled its E-Seed Concept, a sleek two-seater sports car, and the kind of car that would have attracted wows and plaudits if it came from a ‘traditional’ carmaker at a ‘traditional’ car show of yore. Write BYD off at your own peril however: the E-Seed was designed by Wolfgang Egger, the man behind the wonderful Alfa Romeo 8C, and plants a marker down for the Chinese company that it means business.

You’ve already seen this one, as Geely opted to launch Geometry, their new EV spinoff brand, right here in Singapore, with a rare global launch event held at Marina Bay Sands. That says plenty about this car’s relevance to us, with Geometry’s first product, the A, set to go on sale here by next year. The Geometry A is a fully-electric four door saloon that’s roughly the size of a Toyota Corolla Altis, and will spearhead Geely’s EV efforts globally. The company promises a premium product and excellent value for money, and how it fares in Singapore will be an interesting test case indeed.

There’s no question that Toyota’s most luxurious passenger car offering in its line-up is the Alphard, but certainly more than one must have asked: what if it was a Lexus? Well, that question has been answered, with the new Lexus LM, which takes all that is good about Toyota’s uber-plush van and turns it up to 11. There is a usual seven-seater version, and a four-seater option that incorporates two individual captain chairs at the back that is reminiscent of the first class seats on Singapore Airlines. Other luxuries include a partition glass between front and rear sections, a 14-litre fridge, umbrella storage, a 26-inch screen and 19-speaker sound system, and double-glazed noise-reducing glass for maximum passenger comfort and silence. The LM also boasts swing valve shock absorbers, the same types found on the ES, for a soft and cosseting ride. And of course, that imposing Lexus grille up front makes a hell of a statement, even more than an Alphard could.

The race to fill ever conceivable SUV niche continues, and Mercedes-Benz’s latest is the GLB Concept, ostensibly conceived after the company noticed a gap between GLA and GLC. Its rugged styling is a nod towards the legendary G-Class, and marks it out as a rival for the likes of the Jeep Renegade. There clearly is a market for compact but rugged crossovers, what with the likes of the Renegade and Suzuki Jimny coming onto market, and the GLB looks set to capitalise on that wave. Officially just a concept for now, the GLB is nonetheless all but production ready, and expect a full version to be unveiled later this year. Drivetrain options will likely be shared with its GLA cousin.

Volkswagen is going full speed at developing its ID range of electric vehicle concepts, and the latest to join the line-ip is the ID Roomzz, an MPV/crossover mashup that will likely find favour with the upper class in China. Innovative features include reverse-hinged sliding doors and electric cameras in place of wing mirrors (neither of which will make production unfortunately). It will also feature Level 4 autonomy, with a steering wheel that’s retractable in self-driving mood, turning the ID Roomzz into a massive lounge. The Shanghai concept was a four-seater, but production versions could offer seven seats.

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