Auto China electrified news, especially premium and luxury

Far from the ‘popular’ electric transition: also in China, as in many other markets, except for the vast world of taxis and the equally vast world of battery-powered mini-cars (comparable to our quadricycles) the transition to 100% battery-powered models it remains the prerogative of those with large amounts of money. And above all of those who want to show – precisely through this type of purchase – their economic power.
This is demonstrated, if anything were needed, by the first list of innovations that, starting from 18 April, will be in the spotlight, or rather the smartphone flashes, of visitors to the 2023 edition of Auto China in Shanghai.
The rumors leaked to date speak practically only of premium and luxury models, with the new Mercedes-Maybach EQS Suv positioning itself on the top step, strengthened by various external interventions (as anticipated by some renderings) and above all by a series of internal updates compared to to the Concept already seen in 2021. All to make it worthy of a ‘first class’ accommodation, with two single seats in the rear part of the passenger compartment and a long list of electronic equipment and furnishings.
In Shanghai, the Mercedes-Maybach electric super-SUV should be shown in the 680 4Matic version with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system for over 640 HP overall. For the moment, a single battery has been announced, the 107.8 kWh one which, according to EPA tests, should ensure around 600 km of autonomy.
Parallel to the production model of the super-SUV designed by Mercedes-Maybach, the podium of ultra-luxury models in Shanghai will be occupied – albeit on a lower step – by the new generation of Porsche Cayenne. The high-performance SUV has been completely redesigned, with external changes that do not alter its appearance, updates to the chassis perfected in extensive tests to create “one of the most extensive product updates in Porsche history”.
The cockpit will be inspired by the completely redesigned Porsche Taycan, with some details that have already been communicated. For the rest of the information – for example those relating to the engines, it will be necessary (as in the case of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS Suv) to wait for the official debut on April 18th.
Instead, there will be no new Porsche Macan but in the sporty crossover segment the interest of visitors will certainly be aimed at the unprecedented rival of the German model, that is the Polestar 4. Designed to bridge the gap between the Polestar 2 sedan and the Polestar SUV, this new electric crossover will go into production by the end of the year in China and will enrich the already vast portfolio of the Geely Group.
Just from the Geely-Mercedes joint venture, the Smart, another of the ‘high performance’ novelties of the Show will arrive in Shanghai, that is the Brabus variant which will accompany model #3, that is the new stage in the brand’s electric revolution.
Recall that the basic #3 – also making its debut at Auto China – has a single 268hp engine.
Geely will also be present in Shanghai with the Zeekr brand. It will do so with the electric crossover X, the third production model that is expected to double Zeekr sales to more than 140,000 units. It is likely to share the two architectures (single-engine rear-wheel drive and dual-engine four-wheel drive) used by the Smart #1 and the forthcoming Volvo EX30. Also of note is the novelty (exhibited as a concept) from the Chinese Byd. It is a five-seater SUV that does not hide that it will target the Mercedes-Benz G-Class in terms of design.
The first member of BYD’s new F model line and scheduled to go on sale in 2024, it measures almost 5000 mm in length, is equipped with a hybrid petrol-electric powertrain that produces 671 HP and will offer an overall range of over 1,230 km.