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2011 Acura TSX

2010-05-07T05:18:00.000-07:00

The Acura TSX is a responsive sports sedan with front-wheel drive. The tip-offs for its sporty demeanor start with the name. Acura calls its sports-specialty vehicles the RSX, TSX, and NSX. Road cars are named CL, TL, RL. The TSX is Acura’s response to the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

Features

Acura TSX is based on the European-market Honda Accord, which is a different car and slightly smaller than the Accord designed for the U.S. market. It’s a superb chassis that’s tight and fun to drive. The 2.4-liter iVTEC four-cylinder engine delivers 200 horsepower and boasts a broad torque curve. This engine is wonderfully tuned and loves to rev.

The result is immediate throttle response followed by a rapid acquisition of speed. That throttle is actually a drive-by-wire accelerator. The six-speed manual gearbox is notably sweet, smooth and quick. The alternative is a five-speed automatic with Sequential Sport Shift. The suspension dances to the tune of a European sports sedan. The brakes scrub off triple-digit speeds without drama and the pedals are set up well for effortless heel-and-toe braking and downshifting. For an enthusiast, the Acura TSX eliminates the lust for European-market cars.

The 2005 Acura TSX model line presents few dilemmas: Simply choose between the six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic with Sequential Sport Shift. Both models are the same price ($26,990). Then decide whether you want the excellent navigation system ($2,000).

Either way, the front-wheel-drive TSX is powered by the 200-horsepower 2.4-liter double-overhead-cam iVTEC engine and comes with 17-inch alloy wheels with V-rated performance tires. Standard equipment includes perforated leather seating, moonroof, HID headlights, and 360-watt Acura premium audio system with six-disc CD changer and eight speakers. For 2005, XM Satellite Radio hardware is standard, but requires a subscription.

Safety features include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control and side curtain airbags.

A-Spec ($4,330) adds high-performance shocks and springs, lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot all-season performance tires, and an aero kit featuring an air dam, chin spoiler, side skirts and a choice of deck lid or wing spoiler. The kit is installed by dealerships. If you want the better handling without the other stuff, you can have the suspension by itself ($800), but you’ll have to give up the nifty A-Spec badges.

Exterior

Invisible to the eye are aerodynamic undertrays, strategic bellypans that help bring the coefficient of drag down to an impressive 0.27 for the TSX. The backlight (rear window) slopes to meet a short trunk lid, which helps air separate cleanly off the back of the car at speed.

The seven-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels complement the clean lines, and the P215/50R17 tires are low-profile but not radical. Discreet business-like chrome exhaust tips are tucked under the rear fascia at each edge and give the car attitude. Dual exhausts on a four-cylinder are cool.

To get a picture of the scale, the TSX is 183 inches long with a wheelbase of 105 inches; the Acura RSX coupe is 172 inches long with a wheelbase of 101 inches; and the U.S. Honda Accord is 187.6 inches long with a wheelbase of 105 inches.

Interior

The Acura TSX interior feels graceful. Satin-finish or simulated wood trim wraps from door to door, across the center console and steering wheel.

The driver’s eight-way power seat offers good bolstering for comfort and hard driving. The seat fits great and there’s good legroom. The rubber-coated pedals feel good, and there’s a solid dead pedal. The 8000-rpm tach is as big as the 160-mph speedo, because the TSX is all about using the tach. The bright red needles give it just the right neon touch. There’s a tidy three-spoke steering wheel, wrapped skin-tight in perforated leather, just small enough. The shift knob is right, blending function and style with leather and polished aluminum, without compromising the function. You’ve got the E-brake lever at your side, a nice deep console bin, your cupholders and changeholder right there. A fingertip away is a 360-watt sound system with a six-CD player. You’ve got a moon roof, you even have heated seats and heated outside mirrors.

Acura Navigation System

Navigation systems are getting better every year and Acura’s may be the best. It’s easy to program, and gives clear, accurate instructions visibly and audibly. The display is big and crisp. The system uses a combination of hard buttons and context-sensitive on-screen menus. Unfortunately, you have to call up a menu just to switch radio stations, but fortunately, controls on the steering wheel let you bypass this task. The system also takes voice commands. Cool blue ambient lighting illuminates the console controls at night.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

2010-05-07T05:14:00.000-07:00

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Acura unveiled the TSX Sport Wagon at the 2010 New York Auto Show. The car will join the current TSX line-up and will go on sale in the late fall. According to Acura, the new TSX Sport Wagon is the right car for those seeking luxury, utility and fuel economy.

The 2011 TSX Sport Wagon is powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque (the sedan version also gets a V6 engine). The engine is mated to a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission and has a fuel economy of 30 mpg. Its obvious competition is the Audi A4 Avant with a 2.0L, 4 cylinder engine producing 211hp and the Cadillac CTS wagon with a 3.6L, V6 engine producing 263hp. Of course, we really don’t think that the Cadillac can be considered competition, but we do believe that Acura may think so.

The new TSX will be available with all the latest technologies including: Acura Navigation System with an all-new 8-inch full VGA high-resolution color display, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather, Acura/ELS Surround Premium Audio System and a hard disk drive (HDD) for media storage, a power glass moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, a premium sound system, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, and USB port and AUX jack music interface.

The all-new 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show today. The TSX Sport Wagon offers a smart solution to modern utility needs with its balanced and efficient driving performance coupled with bold styling and versatile cargo capabilities.

"The TSX Sport Wagon represents a smart choice for those seeking a vehicle with utility," said John Mendel, executive vice president, sales. "It’s practical, fun to drive, luxurious and technically advanced, all while achieving an outstanding estimated highway fuel economy rating of 30 miles per gallon*."

The TSX Sport Wagon delivers flexible utility and generous interior space- perfect for those with a growing family or an active lifestyle. The TSX Sport Wagon boasts an innovative and highly functional rear cargo space that includes a removable side panel to accommodate wider items such as golf clubs and integrated under-floor bins for hidden storage. Along with this sizeable cargo space, the TSX Sport Wagon features a comfortable and spacious cabin with seating for up to five adults.

The TSX Sport Wagon’s practical utility is cleverly masked behind crisp lines and a sleek, European-inspired exterior. Bold wheel arches frame the 17-inch, 5-spoke aluminum wheels, giving the Sport Wagon an aggressive stance. The chiseled, muscular body and sloping roofline emphasize its performance capabilities while making it more aerodynamic.

Powering the TSX Sport Wagon is a 2.4-liter, DOHC i-VTEC®, inline four-cylinder engine paired with a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission fit with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. The TSX Sport Wagon delivers brisk performance while achieving an EPA-estimated 30 mpg* on the highway. Drawing from its sports sedan roots, the TSX Sport Wagon features agile handling and quick off the line acceleration, allowing it to easily tackle a twisty mountain road or swiftly navigate through city streets.

To enhance the driving experience, the TSX Sport Wagon features the latest in advanced technologies including an available hard disk drive-based Acura Navigation System™ with an all-new 8-inch full VGA high-resolution color display and AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather™ featuring radar image mapping. For the audiophile, the TSX Sport Wagon will be available with an Acura/ELS Surround® Premium Audio System and a hard disk drive (HDD) for media storage. Additionally, the TSX Sport Wagon is equipped with an impressive list of standard features, including a power glass moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, a premium sound system, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, and USB port and AUX jack music interface. Like all Acura vehicles, the TSX Sport Wagon will come with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including Acura’s acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.

The 2011 TSX Sport Wagon will be an entry luxury utility offering when it arrives at Acura dealerships in the late fall. The Sport Wagon will join the TSX lineup, which already includes the popular 4-cylinder and sporty V-6 powered sports sedans.

TSX Sport Wagon Specifications:

Length: 189.4 inches
Width: 72.4 inches
Height: 57.9 inches
Wheelbase: 106.5 inches
Wheel: 17x7.5- inch 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels
Seating capacity: 5-passenger

Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. You actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI

2010-05-07T05:07:00.000-07:00

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI

At a MSRP of $146,000, the 2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI 2 door coupe contains a 5.2L FSI V10 engine that produces 525 hp at 8000 rpm and 390 lb-ft. of torque. It also contains a 6-speed manual transmission with dry double-plate clutch. The S8’s top speed is 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.1 seconds. The EPA Fuel Economy Estimates is 14 MPG in the city and 22 MPG in the highway.

Mechanical features include: quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, electronic differential lock (EDL) front/rear 4-link suspension, Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping system, Servotronic electromechanical power steering w/speed-dependent pwr assistance, 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic rear brake pressure distribution (EBD), and electronic stabilization program that includes sport and disable settings and anti-slip regulation (ASR).

Exterior features include: 19″ 10-spoke Y-design forged aluminum alloy wheels with locking wheel bolts, flared rocker panels, high-gloss black air inlet grilles with outlet grilles at rear, Audi space frame (ASF), flared sideblades, automatically extending rear spoiler with manual operation feature, aluminum fuel filler door and door sills, aluminum optic engine compartment vents, enlarged rear diffuser, and single-frame high gloss black grille with vertical and horizontal chrome slats.

Interior features include: fine nappa leather seats, 10-way power heated sport seats, 3-spoke flat-bottom tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped multi-function sport steering wheel with audio controls, driver info system with on-board computer, power locks, power windows, remote keyless entry, Audi navigation system plus cruise control, anti-theft alarm with engine immobilizer, HomeLink garage door opener, automatic air conditioning, 2 storage nets on back of seats, luggage net on rear shelf, and crash sensor that includes fuel supply shut off, battery disconnect, and doors unlock.

Safety features include Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), 4-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, impact protection, driver/front passenger advanced dual-stage airbags, driver/front passenger seat-mounted side thorax airbags, sideguard head protection airbags for front and rear occupants, and a latch child restraint system for outboard rear seats. The cost to insure the 2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI is about $2,071 per month. For insuring a monster sports car like this, please visit cheapautosinsurance.com

Beijing Motor Show 2010 - Highlights

2010-05-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

Geely Gleagle GS

Geely presented an assortment of 11 concept cars at Auto China in Beijing this year - from a small electric car to a limousine and including sports cars, off-road jeeps, pickups and SUVs. It was an elaborate effort to test customer perception to Chinese automaker's various proposals as the company searches for a consistent design direction for its Englon, Gleagle and Emgrand sub-brands.

On the showstand, most of the local media's attention was on the Gleagle GS - an entry-level 2+2-seater fitting into the ‘Global Eagle' range. Geely claims the GS was created to appeal to Chinese youth, but it is evident that the designers were equally naïve in the creation of the design: there are some basic proportion mistakes, such as the front fender reaching its highest point before the center of the front wheel; the shoulder line creates a busy hollow double curvature along the body side; and the front and rear fender lips accentuate the heaviness of the car's body side. The fact that the roof/pillar curvature - made on a single constant section and in a continuous radius - lacks tension, that the DLO and beltline have minimal plan shape and the virtual lack of any tumblehome further detracts from the exterior design.

Unlike the exterior, surprisingly significant care was given to the interior surface and feature details. The IP is well-proportioned, the center console fits a multi-function screen, and the dash has a fine sporty flow through the door panels. Even the color choice is in tune with the concept: a subtle red that gives it a sense of occasion. The only elements that let down the interior are the grain and emboss chosen in leather and plastic, otherwise it is comparable to that of any established manufacturer.

Though Geely has made substantial strides in both material and quality perception, the design of the Gleagle GS was an opportunity missed. The car's lack of attention to detail and overall failure to adhere to typical design rules regarding proportions and details unfortunately let down what could have easily been an interesting new entry-level small coupe design from the Chinese automaker.

Roewe 350

At first sight, there appears considerable overlap with this latest model and the Roewe 550, but the 350 uses an all-new smaller platform developed by parent company SAIC, with a new 1.5-liter engine, a generous 2650mm wheelbase and overall length of 4521 mm — roughly 100mm shorter than the 550. As such, it's targeted directly at the core of the Chinese compact sedan market, especially the best-selling Lavida and Bora models from VW. With such a huge population and the fast-changing market demands in China, the Shanghai-based company is wise to follow VW and add a second compact sedan to their line-up.

Styling follows existing Roewe themes with the most obvious differences from the 550 including a less coupe-like DLO and a stronger shoulder bone line with a subtle twist in the top surface. In side view, the placement of the door handles on the bone section gives some similarities to a BMW 3 Series, but overall, the design quality seems closer to mainstream domestic Chinese models such as the new BYD G3 than on par with anything with European premium pretensions. There's a new grille design with a single wavy bar and a center Roewe emblem, but much of the remainder of the exterior detailing and graphics seems lackluster.

Sitting in the car confirms the good package, especially rear seat space. The specification is fine too, with an impressive InkaNet 3G multimedia system on top models, including gesture screen control, as on the i-Phone. The high contrast color scheme established with the 750 continues, with a black upper IP and door tops and stone beige color for the remaining interior environment. And while the forms used in the styling are not as 'stiff' and hard as the 550, the detail refinement is again poor, especially in the center console area between the front seats finished with cheap cubic-printed wood, and the attention to tactile quality doesn't reach the standards set by the VW Lavida.

Chana C201 concept

This concept from Chana was one of two featured on the stand. Designed by their European studio in Turin, the concept sends a confusing message in some views, such as rear ¾. It feels like a very orthodox D-segment hatchback — think Mazda 6 — dressed in an aero/rally party frock, but in essence, it's a preview of the forthcoming hatchback version of the popular Chana Z-Shine D-Segment sedan, which was launched in 2008 and is a key model for Chana's sales in China.

The glasshouse and pillar treatments are the most interesting area of the design: it's yet another another concept where the C-pillar floats away from the glasshouse, like a Ferrari 599 or Hyundai iFlow (also shown at Beijing) and the A-pillar follows the Opel Flextreme GT/E design where body color stops short of the beltline, instead turning outwards into a slim 'door mirror' or rather, a support for the rear view cameras and DI lamps.

The C201 was presented as a see-through milled model, with no interior. According to design chief Luciano d'Ambrosio, the matte green-gold body color was a very late decision, which possibly explained why the green tinged tail lamps appeared odd, a bit of an afterthought. There's a traditional use of carbon fiber for many body aero parts including the front splitter and rear diffuser and those odd rear wheel spats, whose design seemed to add yet another layer of fussiness to the design. There's an 'aero wave' motif used throughout the design, for instance on door handles, C-pillar, headlamps, solar roof graphics, rear diffuser and the sunken section on the hood top for the radiator air outlet. Continuing the aero theme was the extensive use of body decals such as 'no step', 'push', and 'check A' too.

Overall, the mix of smooth aero-look, plug-in hybrid powertrain and old-school race or rally car ingredients seemed baffling and it wasn't clear what was the message for Chana as a brand or their future design direction.

Yanfeng Visteon Q-e concept

Many visitors to the Beijing motor show will have missed this Yanfeng Visteon concept tucked away in one of supplier halls, but studio manager Shizuki Kajiyama is well known to us here at CDN and was keen to show us around his Chinese design team's latest creation. This 3.2m electric city car uses very simple surfaces and relies on recessed glazed areas to provide graphic interest, yet there's an inherent 'rightness' to the design that's most appealing.

The lower edge of the upright windscreen rolls seamlessly into the short solar panel hood and the doors are formed by a large pane of 10mm polycarbonate. The overhanging roof profile is inspired by Chinese roofs and the resulting chamfer subsequently loops around the car to frame the blue-glazed doors and hood. This same loop theme is continued in the interior, where the white ribbon-like strips of the console and IP twist up the inner A-pillars and into the roof, yet are always free-floating away from the structural pillars behind - a most intriguing treatment. Other neat details include the charging socket on the front fender framed in a matching blue to the glass and a double-access trunklid, similar to that on the original Renault Modus.

When the car is parked, the interior can transform itself into a personal entertainment space. The two game pads that comprise the vertical center stack can be detached, allowing a pair of huge 19-inch screens to swing out like aircraft tables and open up to fill the entire windscreen for playing games or watching movies - hence the requirement for the extreme front header position and upright screen rake. The two seats — developed in collaboration with Yanfeng Johnson Controls' seating design studio — fully recline to allow relaxation for movies or star gazing through the glass roof.

There are beautifully crafted details throughout the car, including black stained bamboo and chrome inserts, plus a bold use of 'Emperor yellow' fabric on the door pads and seats. On an OEM stand this concept would have attracted huge crowds, as it is, it remains one of the show's hidden gems.

Chevrolet MPV5 Volt concept

GM chose the Beijing motor show to show the Chevrolet MPV5 Volt - a new hybrid prototype inspired by the Volt sedan. Sharing the same essential design theme as its four-door counterpart, the MPV5 has been developed to showcase the flexibility of the Voltec platform which will be used across a range of different types body segments in the near future.

The MPV5 is a crossover with an iconic American van identity that integrates and refines characteristic design elements of the Volt sedan, such as headlamps, taillamps and grille. It is well-proportioned with 19-inch five spoke wheels sitting in strong squared wheelarches. The overall masculine presence and stance accentuated by the crisp shoulder line, the sharp sill undercut and details such as the large door mirrors indicates a well defined user/consumer group for this product.

As the front face sums up the family feeling with pentagon geometry elements, it is the back that provides more novelty, with the rear screen reaching down the bumper, a corner that divides the rear from the body side, and an ultra-sleek lamp design that flows into the body side, making the rear mask very clean. This perceived quality is emphasized by satin and chrome trim finishing on the door handles, side skirt and DLO.

The interior features well-resolved ‘all black' elements with white inserts in the center console, door panels and ‘U shape' leather inserts in each of the seats. Two long glass roof panes allow natural light to illuminate the dark interior. Only the IP appears down sized, like the dashboard (as in the original Volt) although this has very dynamic wing elements that fly into the door panel - a theme reminiscent of the Insignia and Astra designs. The trunk space is vast thanks to an increased wheelbase and flat load floor, though it sits high up to accommodate the rear-mounted batteries housed below.

Overall we felt the Volt MPV5 was a well thought out concept that is arguably better resolved as an MPV than a sedan. We're certain it will appear on the production line soon, filling a new eco-aware market space.

IAT Crosswind II concept

IAT is one of China's biggest prototype companies, providing styling and engineering support to the OEMs. The Crosswind II concept was one of three very competently resolved full-size models displayed on their large stand at the show, and it is a development of the Cross-Coupé model seen two years ago in Beijing. It's a simple concept: the top half is coupé, the lower half has a tough offroader aesthetic, and it's powered by a 150kW electric motor.

Showing us around the car was Chen Qunyi, IAT's young design director, who explained that the front face has been revised and the interior fully developed. "It's a combination of speed and offroad performance that's uniquely Chinese to suit the more remote roads of some provinces," Qunyi explained.

According to Qunyi, the front face is ‘tough and strong' and is the most revised area of the previous 2008 design. It now sports a wide monographic face with the headlamps mounted high up, reaching back as far as the front wheelarch and with a broad silver band between, topped with the IAT emblem. Beneath this is a full-width grille with two grille bars and a bold hexagon pattern mesh, while the lower side cheeks feature a strip of LED running lamps in an L-shaped formation. Although it reminds somewhat of the new Kia Sportage or Land-Rover LRX concept, the overall effect is confident and striking, especially in the bright copper body color of the show car.

The tan and grey leather interior is accessed via huge gullwing doors that fill the side view and there's a deeply cowled binnacle with yellow digital displays, which is framed either side by a pair of rear camera screens.

What's most interesting with the IAT concept is that it demonstrates a keen ability to develop competent design solutions amongst the Chinese prototype companies such as IAT, TJ Innova or CH Auto that easily matches or exceeds that which we saw from some major domestic brands.

JAC Vision IV concept

The Vision IV is the latest concept from the Turin-based design team of JAC and showcases both a hybrid powertrain and a new A-segment chassis that houses a lithium ion battery in the center tunnel. The styling is meant to convey both a sense of ‘natural electricity' and the fluid, natural strokes of Chinese calligraphy, best expressed in the wavy beltline, the blade line linking the shoulder to the sill, the rear door shutline and the wave movement across the front header area that separates the screen from the solar roof panel.

The three-plane front has a short hood, widely-spaced LED lamps and simple closed grille with acrylic cover, while the small range-extender petrol engine is cooled by the lower intake slot. Seen in the flesh, the design has a confident European stance to it, helped by the 19-inch wheels but the design of grilles and lamps is done in a purely 2D way, and would have benefited from a little more 3D treatment to add some refinement. "The program was tight, we just started in November and had to freeze the design within a few weeks," commented Design Director Lou Tik.

The interior design is a mix of fluid, sculpted surfaces and technical structures with 3D graphics, best seen in the center console that is comprised of a series of vanes illuminated by a deep blue light that indicates the vehicle charge status. The wave-like flow theme is continued in lines across the passenger upper IP, while the driver displays are housed in a deeply curved OLED screen. The mushroom beige front seats are suspended from the center tunnel, with the deeply scooped rear seat riding over the tunnel in a wave saddle-like movement.

Overall, we liked the Vision IV, and JAC appears to be maturing its design capability nicely. And this maturity is evidenced in sales too: although it's still a small player in China, sales growth is amongst the fastest - up 111 percent last year to 123,000.

Mercedes Shooting Break concept

The Mercedes Shooting Break concept is the quintessential definition of an ultra premium sporty wagon - and it looks like it could well be a new car in the product portfolio of the Mercedes range, ready to take on the BMW 5 GT head-to-head.

While the level of detailing of both the exterior and the interior of the Shooting Break concept is outstanding - from the front and rear lamps, exquisite side door mirrors, elegant satin aluminum metallic grey exterior paint, front grille and rear exhaust - it is the side profile the car that left us a bit perplexed. Unlike the simplified Ford Start concept, the body side surface of the Shooting Break treatment appears overloaded, and playing around with concave and convex surfaces doesn't help to disentangle the complexity of it.

Though it is a concept, the roof line also seems too compromised to allow for suitable interior space and it is detached from the DLO line, so there is no real stream of continuity. If then we include that the rear overhang is too long to be considered a ‘Shooting Break' and that the complete rear end loses proportion, finesse and surface judgment, it leaves us with mixed feelings about the overall resolution of the exterior design.

As with the F800, it is the interior that is the most striking, with a meticulously detailed environment that features a superbly balanced tone of brown colors, contrasting light beige with dark chocolate and exuding high quality and refinement. The 2+2 type seating configuration features rear bucket seats that are as upright as the front seats to highlight the exclusivity of the interior, but overall the cabin feels like that of a luxurious yacht, with aluminum trim laid out in key areas for good measure.

There is no doubt that the Shooting Break is a well-executed concept car, but it does make us question where Mercedes-Benz exterior design is headed. Since we know that from the front mask to the middle of the rear door the car informs the design of the forthcoming next-generation CLS, we reserve the right to wait until the final production design appears before we make our final judgment.

Ferrari 599 GTO

Ferrari officially presented a more performance oriented version of the 599 at the 2010 Auto China in Beijing. The company's newest and fastest ever front engine sports car bears the GTO initials to support its performance credentials, but it is not an entirely new car. Ferrari designers have been preoccupied intensively on reworking most of the car's details and color and trim elements for the limited production model. Only 599 examples will be built.

The exterior now benefits from a double paint tone option, matte grey for all upper parts (pillars and roof) and racing red for the body. This is combined with a full set of new grilles at the front, side and rear (integrated into the bumper), newly designed 20-inch wheels that accommodate dark ceramic brake disks, and a carbon fiber front splitter, side skirt and large rear diffuser all in the same matte grey tone of the roof and C-pillars. It now appears sleeker and has an even more dynamic stance. To increase aerodynamic performance, the designers also reshaped the hood - it now includes a stronger feature line and innovative vents - and redesigned the trunk-lid, incorporating a more accentuated spoiler featuring a black prancing horse (rather than the usual chrome). This underlines the dark side of the car.

The matte grey color scheme is the main theme in the interior, Additional black inserts create a stronger contrast where Alcantara trim is coupled with a sophisticated Kevlar-like fabric called ‘Cordura 3D'. Coupled with a bare aluminum floor these subtle changes emphasize the overall technical feeling of the extreme car.

With the presentation of the 599 GTO, Ferrari made three clear statements: it is serious about the Chinese market, it intends to defend its top spot with a front engine car with no direct rival, and it made fast, very fast - capable of setting record laps around circuits.

Ford Start concept

Ford's Start concept was one of the undeniable stars of Auto China this year. A diminutive five-seat premium car, roughly the size of a Mini, the concept surprised many with its minimalistic design and thoughtful details. Speaking with Freeman Thomas, Design Director at Ford's California-based Strategic Concept Group, CDN learned that the car was born out of an unconventional approach: it was actually modeled before being reversed into sketches.

The clean, timeless design was inspired by the nautilus shell as well as the rounded designs of the Alfa Romeo Zagato SZ and the Porsche 356 Speedster (owned by Thomas himself): "We wanted the car to be soft and endearing," Thomas said. "We love round shapes."

The resulting design is appealing, with a simple yet elegant surface and a friendly demeanor, but it is also a pragmatic and functional vehicle. Simple trim pieces, smooth door handles and a new interpretation of the front grille are joined by slender head- and taillamps with a lattice theme running through them, an element repeated in the C-pillar. Another key element in the brief was that the car had to be lightweight; this is where the idea for the small trunk – instead of the expected hatch – and the 'floating' B-pillar came from. "We needed the structure but we wanted it to float to make it visually lighter," shared Thomas.

A strong shoulder that blends into the surrounding surface aft of the rear wheel is also an interesting element of the design, fading out like a brush stroke on the bodyside, as is the well-proportioned matte aluminum trim that connects and defines the windscreen, DLO and backlight.

The interior also presents interesting features worth mentioning, such as the IP that sits on top of the dash so it can be easily adapted for left- and right-hand drive applications, and the floating front seats that mimic the curve of those on the 356. The rear seat features an unbroken curvature, enabling rear passengers to sit in a lounge-like space, amplifying comfort levels.

MG Zero concept

The Zero was one of the surprises of the Beijing show, and represents the best example of the new ‘Facet Flow' MG form language that the design teams in Shanghai and UK have been developing. In terms of exterior surfaces, this car appears close to production and SAIC expects the Zero to compete with the Ford Fiesta and Fiat's Grande Punto to attract entry-level younger customers. Program Manager Sam Sun explained the thinking behind the design: "There's a misunderstanding by many younger Chinese buyers about what a sporty car should be – there's real confusion with aftermarket customizing, which is not our aim."

The sporty feeling is taken further than the MG6, with a greater emphasis on the dominant lower grille, use of a lozenge pattern throughout, including grille, door handles, DI lamps and texture in the lower grille, and a roof featuring a see-through abstracted union flag motif. The Zero uses an all-new platform from SAIC, called EP, which crucially allows for fitment of larger wheels than is the norm in China, to ensure a more European stance to the car.

The best part of the Zero is undoubtedly the interior, which demonstrates a higher level of sophistication and new ideas compared to most concepts seen here today. A slim horizontal console connects to the driver's seat in a quasi-octagon motif, and a lower center console runs through into the rear seat. The lozenge theme is continued in the seats, which feature red MG logos that illuminate through the fabric. Further red highlights are created using LEDS in the door lining, steering wheel rim, plus ambient lighting used in the footwells. "We've decided to offer this high contrast black and white theme on one trim level for production too" explains Sam Sun. Overall, the interior reminds in some ways of a sportier version of the VW Up! but that's not to detract from the freshness of the design quality. SAIC expects production to start later this year, with sales in Europe targeted in their plans.

Chana Green i concept

Chana is one of the biggest winners in the rapidly-changing Chinese car market. With sales up 92 percent in 2009 to 518,000, they're the best performing domestic brand now with the entry-level Green Star being a top-selling model. There's long been an association with Italian design houses, coordinated from their European studio in Turin, headed by design chief Luciano d'Ambrosio, but talking with him he confirmed that the Green-i concept was designed purely in the China studio.

We liked the tough, bulldog-like styling to this concept and the way the upright A-pillars roots the car directly to the front wheels. It's a stance that some designers we spoke to reminded a little of the Peugeot BB concept from Frankfurt, although the Green-i is less extreme in terms of surface language and front screen angle. Adding to this stance is the lean-forward rear end and the neat way the roof dips sharply under the rear spoiler to emerge as the top plane of the vast rear lamps. While the styling is commendably bold, the longer we stared at it the more the packaging seems unconvincing. The steering wheel is placed mid-way along the door with a vast IP in front of it, forcing the seats a long way rearward, so far that the occupants' heads are aft of the B-pillar – so much so that the roof needs that blown bulge simply to provide headroom.

The pale blue and gloss white interior features a simple floating door pad and bright blue illumination behind it, an intricate printed circuit pattern in the seat fabric and a pale oak finish to the small rear trunk shelf and the cabin floor. With less extreme packaging and better detailing, this could have been one of the stars of the show.