Tag Archives: Shanghai

Motorsport

Unique 2024 Porsche Panamera Turbo Has Two-Tone Paint With Real Gold

Porsche unveiled the third-generation Panamera in Shanghai, surprising the audience with a special one-of-a-kind Turbo model. Developed by the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur division, known for customized vehicles, it showcases the limitless possibilities available through the Sonderwunsch (German for “special request”) program.

While this specific Panamera is a unique creation, Porsche highlights the “all-but-unlimited options” for the new model, meaning it should be possible to order a similar one. It sports a striking two-tone paint with a primary Leblon Violet Metallic color adorned with subtle chestnut accents, finished with a clear coat containing vaporized real gold flakes.


BMW

BMW Opens New Shanghai R&D Center. China R&D Strategy Upgraded for Next-level Digital User Experiences.

Shanghai. On July 18, 2023, the BMW Group expanded its research and development (R&D) capabilities in China with the opening of a new R&D Center in Shanghai. China already houses BMW Group’s largest R&D system outside of Germany, with locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Nanjing. By merging all of BMW’s R&D functions in China under one roof, the company aims to improve collaboration and performance. With the establishment of a fully-fledged R&D competency and software development capabilities in China, BMW is now well-positioned to implement its China strategy.

According to Mr. Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development, the NEUE KLASSE of BMW will redefine driving pleasure by offering fascinating products and premium mobility experiences empowered by digitalization. With the new R&D Center and the upgrade of BMW China’s R&D capabilities, the company aims to achieve significant competence advancement. Over the past three years, BMW has tripled its workforce in China, with over 3,200 designers, engineers, NEV (New Energy Vehicle) specialists, and software experts collaborating closely with Chinese tech players, start-ups, local partners, and academia. Going forward, BMW plans to incorporate more Chinese elements into its global R&D organization.

BMW’s strong focus on R&D and innovation has been vital to its leadership in the automotive industry. The company’s renowned R&D Center in Munich, FIZ, was established in 1990. Today, BMW has R&D facilities in 17 countries, with China being home to the largest R&D and innovation network outside of Germany. The company firmly believes that China is the future hub for mobility and has upgraded its R&D management in China to better integrate local innovation capabilities into BMW Group’s global R&D organization. The China R&D team plays a significant role in the design, development, testing, and validation of locally-produced electric vehicles.

The NEUE KLASSE, BMW’s upcoming generation of all-electric models, will showcase various China-led innovations. BMW is also aiming to take the digital user experience in China to the next level by focusing on human-machine interaction and hardware-software integration. China currently houses BMW’s Skylab, the team responsible for human-machine interaction design and usability research, making it the only market outside of Germany to have this capability. BMW’s BA TechWorks in Nanjing is expanding its software team to enhance software development capabilities for Intelligent Connected Vehicles.

As part of its effort to bridge the East and the West, Designworks Shanghai, BMW’s local design studio, will integrate even deeper into the R&D center. This integration will empower future design through digitization, leveraging the studio’s expertise in LED and VR technology. Designworks has been operating in Shanghai since 2012 and has become a bridge between Western and Chinese aesthetics in automotive design.

In terms of validation, BMW has established its largest e-mobility R&D footprint outside of Germany in China. The BMW Shenyang R&D Center, which has been focusing on electrification technology development for over 10 years, now houses the company’s first battery center outside of Germany with full battery capabilities. Additionally, the Shenyang R&D Center has advanced testing and validation capabilities for new energy vehicles.

China also hosts BMW’s largest testing and validation footprint outside of Germany. The Shenyang R&D Center features a global-leading EMC laboratory, an NVH laboratory, and a High-Voltage Battery testing lab to ensure high-performance and safety across all conditions. BMW conducts rigorous vehicle testing in various geographical locations and extreme weather conditions to ensure excellent performance for customers worldwide.

BMW Group Tech Office Asia-Pacific in Shanghai focuses on tech scouting for advanced technologies and innovations. The office collaborates with innovative companies, offers platforms for start-ups, and engages with tech giants and top universities in China. BMW recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) to cooperate in areas such as intelligent connected vehicles, new energy vehicles, sustainability, and vehicle safety.

With its expanded R&D capabilities and focus on innovation, BMW is well-positioned to continue delivering cutting-edge products and digital user experiences in China and worldwide.

News

Official: Audi and SAIC to collaborate on EV development

Audi and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) have agreed to work together on developing electric vehicles, with the aim of strengthening their presence in the Chinese car market. This announcement was made by SAIC, a Chinese state-owned car maker, on Thursday.

The agreement between Audi and SAIC comes after Audi engaged in discussions with SAIC, the owner of MG Motor, about the possibility of sourcing an electric vehicle platform from SAIC’s IM Motors brand. This would serve as an alternative to Audi’s delayed Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) architecture, which is part of the Volkswagen Group.

SAIC stated, “All stakeholders agree that the Chinese auto market is currently undergoing the biggest transformation in its history. Therefore, we will work together on a strategic approach that ensures our future success,” according to Bloomberg.

Audi’s plans to base their future electric vehicles on the SSP architecture have been disrupted due to ongoing software development delays, including the creation of a new operating system known internally as E3 2.0.

E3 2.0 is a crucial component of the SSP architecture, which aims to incorporate level three autonomous driving technology.

As an alternative for models intended for sale in China, Audi is exploring the possibility of using SAIC’s electric vehicle platform, which was developed for the IM L7 saloon and IM LS7 SUV. This platform supports an 800V electric architecture and was originally designed for vehicles ranging from 2800mm to 3200mm in wheelbase length.

Audi, under pressure to improve sales in China, recently announced that Gernot Doellner will take over as CEO, replacing Markus Duesmann. This leadership change is part of Audi’s efforts to restructure the German car manufacturer.

PeugeotUk

PEUGEOT PRESENTS THE NEW 408X & PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT AT AUTO SHANGHAI 2023

PEUGEOT continues the international launch of the new 408, presenting the Chinese version, the 408X, at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition from 18 to 27 April. The PEUGEOT INCEPTION Concept, a concept car illustrating PEUGEOT’s vision of the future, is also on display in Shanghai, and for the first time in Asia.

 

ALLURE: With the 408X and the PEUGEOT INCEPTION Concept, the PEUGEOT brand demonstrates its full creativity to Chinese customers.

 

EXCELLENCE: The new 408X is produced in China at PEUGEOT Dongfeng’s factory in Chengdu.

 

EMOTION: With its PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® and plug-in hybrid engines, the new 408X combines driving excitement with efficiency.

 

As unexpected and innovative in Asia, as it is in Europe, the new 408X* is one of the stars of the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2023). A car with global ambitions, the new 408X demonstrates the creativity of PEUGEOT’s designers and engineers who have delivered, at the top end of the C-segment, a fastback silhouette that is unprecedented both in the history of the brand and in the current global automotive market. In China and Asia, just like in Europe, the new PEUGEOT 408X is the first of its kind.

 

The new PEUGEOT 408X is also a testament to the excellence of PEUGEOT’s engineering focus on efficiency and smart electrification with, as in Europe, two plug-in hybrid engines, delivering 180hp and 225hp, alongside the 130hp PureTech petrol engine. With the latest generation of the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, the new 408X sparks emotion and excitement through cutting-edge technologies dedicated to enhancing driving pleasure and making it more instinctive to use.

 

The new PEUGEOT 408X is produced at PEUGEOT Dongfeng’s factory in Chengdu, central China. Marketed in the country since January 2023, the new PEUGEOT 408X is already grabbing the attention of a large number of customers.

 

At Auto Shanghai 2023, PEUGEOT is also exhibiting the PEUGEOT INCEPTION Concept for the first time in Asia. Unveiled as a world premiere at CES in Las Vegas this past January, and subsequently presented in Europe in March, this concept car is a realistic expression of PEUGEOT’s optimistic vision of the future. With a whole new design language that demonstrates its feline and attractive attitude, its revolutionary interior and its promise of unprecedented driving sensations, the PEUGEOT INCEPTION Concept heralds a new era and embodies the brand’s vision for its future electric vehicles.

 

Linda Jackson, PEUGEOT Global CEO, spoke at Auto Shanghai 2023: “The new PEUGEOT 408X and the PEUGEOT INCEPTION Concept perfectly demonstrate PEUGEOT’s capacity for innovation and are a brilliant illustration of the brand’s three values: Allure, Emotion, Excellence. With their spectacular design, and their allure, these two vehicles will showcase PEUGEOT in a new light that is particularly appealing to Chinese customers.” 

 

*The new PEUGEOT 408 is named the 408X in China because the PEUGEOT range in the country already includes a model called the 408.