Walking the halls of the Shanghai motor show, you will spot a curious mix of the familiar and strange.
There are a lot of names that are well-known all over the world. However, dig deeper and you'll find new models from manufacturers who are scarcely known at all outside of China.
Our man Mark Andrews went looking for some of the most interesting Chinese cars, which you're unlikely to see outside of the People's Republic.
Hongqi LS5
Red Flag, once the producer of China’s state cars, seems to have a new-found confidence. This is its first stab at an SUV and is based on the same platform as the L5 limousine – China’s answer to Bentley and Rolls Royce. Hongqi is fairly tight-lipped about the brutal LS5, but we know it has a wheelbase of 3.06m and is nearly 5.2 metres long. Power comes from a twin-turbo V8 engine, while the interior is near production-ready.
Brilliance V3
While this SUV looks the part, it is let down by poor interior materials. It's powered by a 145bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged engine coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox. It measures 4.2m long with a 2.5m wheelbase.
Chery Alpha 5
This concept previews a new car in the Arrizo range. It is 4.53m long with a wheelbase of 2.64m. Chery has yet to confirm the engine, but suggests it may feature a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol unit when launched.
Baojun 560
Back in 2011, a number of joint ventures started China-only brands. Baojun from General Motors has been one of the most successful. This is its SUV and measures 4.62m long with a 2.75m wheelbase. Power comes from a 133bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine mated to five-speed manual transmission. It features an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and reversing camera.
Haval H8
This car was first launched in Guangzhou in 2013, but problems with the transmission led to it being withdrawn from sale. The Shanghai show marks its relaunch, slotting in under the even bigger H9. It's powered by a 211bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged motor, which propels the 4.8m long and 1.9m wide SUV. Ground clearance of 210mm shows it is designed for serious off-road usage.
Haval H6 Coupe
While it might be called a coupe, this is actually Haval’s answer to the Range Rover Evoque. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with 191bhp, it is available with either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission. It is also available with a 152bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Haval H7 and H7L
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As it happens
No interior better than a Cortina, either.
Interesting to observe the way locals approach some of the dodgiest but most brazen copies, with enthusiasm and genuine appreciation - can't knock anything that sells here in such numbers!
Busiest stand? Jaguar.
As it happens
No interior better than a Cortina, either.
Interesting to observe the way locals approach some of the dodgiest but most brazen copies, with enthusiasm and genuine appreciation - can't knock anything that sells here in such numbers!
Busiest stand? Jaguar.
The Shanghai Motor Show