Buick Envision Concept SUV Heads to Shanghai Auto Show

A new Buick concept model called the Envision will make its global debut at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 18. Jointly developed by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), the Envision is a crossover model designed for the Chinese market, although the company points out the vehicle incorporates Buick's "dynamic, fluid, quiet and comfortable" styling language.

The show car is equipped with a plug-in hybrid system and "loads of new technologies", according to GM's China subsidiary. However, neither the drivetrain, nor the technologies are detailed, as the information will be released on April 18. The teaser photo shows the rear end of the crossover and a section of the interior. From the looks of it, the Envision appears to sport a muscular exterior design, with aggressive shapes and creases.

It is not known yet if the Envision concept will spawn a road-going version or if it will remain simply a design exercise.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Chevrolet Teases All-New Global Malibu Sedan, will be Sold in Nearly 100 Countries [with Video]

This is the first official photo of the all-new Chevrolet Malibu show car that will debut simultaneously at the Shanghai Auto Show in China and the New York International Auto Show in mid-April. And if you’re wondering why GM made plans to show it in China, that’s because unlike the current model that’s offered only in North America, the new Malibu will be a global vehicle that will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents and built in multiple locations, including China and two facilities in the United States.

“This Malibu takes Chevrolet’s established and award-winning nameplate to new places and introduces it to new audiences around the world,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet. “Whether the Malibu is sold in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia, it has been engineered from the ground up to meet the needs of customers around the world.”

The cropped photo of the new Malibu’s rear-end reveals the Camaro-esque squared taillights and confirms the patent designs we first showed more than a year ago. GM said that its newcomer in the mid-size segment was designed to stand out in all markets around the globe, adding that it will come with “European-inspired driving characteristics”.

Evidently, the engine lineup will differ from market to market, but GM said it will feature a global family of fuel-efficient and powerful four-cylinder engines, along with six-speed transmissions. Buyers should expect a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline as well as a hybrid variant in the near feature.

The new Malibu will be introduced onto the market within the next year as a 2013 model. We’ll have more details from the official reveal on April 18.

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Brilliant…BMW’s China Partner Brilliance Working on X1-Lookalike A3 SUV

There is no question that when it comes to automotive clones from China, history repeats itself. Following in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz’s China partner BAIC, which came out with a five-door hatchback closely resembling the Stuttgart firm’s B-Class, Brilliance Automotive, BMW’s associate in China, is working on a compact SUV model that looks very much alike X1 crossover.

According to Chinese news site Auto Sohu that broke these scoop photos, the new Brilliance model with the Audi name and BMW looks will be officially revealed at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show in mid-April. It is reported that the Brilliance A3 SUV will be offered with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine sourced from Mitsubishi’s local division.

Other notable doppelgangers from China include: BYD S6DM / Lexus RX, Landwind X8 / Mitsubishi Outlander, Great Wall Florid / Scion xA, Lifan 320 / MINI Cooper, Yema SQJ6451 / Subaru Forester and the Geely GE / Rolls Royce Phantom.

Source: Auto Sohu

BRILLIANCE AUTOMOTIVE A3 SUV

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BMW X1 CROSSOVER

2011 Shanghai Auto Show Promises Several World Premieres

China’s auto shows are growing bigger and bigger by the year as the local market continues to expand in sales. The most significant car show is the Auto China, which is held alternatively in Beijing and Shanghai every other year. This year’s edition will take place in Shanghai.

More often than not, leading American, European, Japanese and Korean automakers present their newest offerings at well-established car shows like Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris and Detroit, but in the past few years, we’re seeing increased numbers of new models being unveiled in China.

This year show will be no exception, as many new cars are planned to be revealed in Shanghai (April 23-28), despite the fact that it overlaps the 2011 NY Auto Show (April 22 - May 1).

One of the most highly anticipated models rumored to make their world premiere in Shanghai is the Audi Q3 baby SUV, Inglostandt’s answer to the BMW X1. The crossover model will use the same platform as the VW Tiguan, with production set to start in Seat's Martorell plant in Spain later this year.

There’s a good chance we might see VW unveiling the new Beetle at the Shanghai Show as well as in New York, while the Germans will also use the Chinese show to officially introduce its Seat brand to the local market.

BMW will premiere its 6-Series Coupe in Shanghai, along with the 5-Series plug-in hybrid built for the Chinese market. Reports from Germany suggest that BMW will also bring to China the pre-production BMW M5 Concept, while Mercedes-Benz is said to show a pre-production design study of the future A-Class, set to appear on the market in 2012 in two- and four-door body styles.

Citroen is rumored to show the DS9 concept car, which will bring the Metropolis design study one step closer to production.

Add to these the large number of Chinese brands that will be present and the premieres that we don't know yet about and Shanghai already looks like a world-class venue.

According to local officials, this year's Auto China exhibition will occupy 205,000 square meters (2.2 million square feet) and will be the largest ever organized in Shanghai. While the 2011 NYIAS is expected to host some 30 world and North America debuts, industry officials estimate that overall, Shanghai will have more than 60 world premieres.

By Dan Mihalascu

Sources: Shanghai Auto Show & Automotorundsport

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