The 2017 Shanghai Auto Show, which begins this week, will feature new Chinese-designed and built hybrids and electric vehicles.
The nation's web of manufacturers have been building up the number of models from the hybrid and EV segment, with many considering it a matter of time before they break into mainstream markets such as Europe and Australasia to take on the likes of the Toyota Prius at their own game.
Among the cars on show this weekend is the Borgward BXi7 EV SUV [pictured above]. The historic German brand has been brought back to life by Chinese backing, releasing its flagship BX7 SUV to the Chinese market last year.
The BXi7 will be the first electric version of the SUV, featuring a range of blue highlights through its handsome exterior styling. It's not yet known what powertrain will propel it, but the BXi7 is still a vehicle to take note of. Mostly because Borgward has confirmed that production will happen at a new factory in Bremen, Germany -- allowing Borgward to streamline the pathway to the European market by 2018.
The MG E-Motion Concept [pictured above] is another car scheduled to debut at the Shanghai show. Like the Bogward, it's tied to a historic European brand given a lifeline by a Chinese company (SAIC), but unlike the Bogward it's unlikely to make it to production.
The E-Motion is a gull-winged two-door electric sports car, with looks reminiscent of the Jaguar F-Type and Mazda's RX-Vision concept. It's reportedly capable of going from 0–100km/h in less than four seconds, and has a range of almost 500km.
But perhaps the most notable car to be shown off in the build-up to the show is a concept sedan named the 03, made by Geely and Volvo affiliates Lynk & Co.
The first impression of the 03 [pictured above] is that, much like the 01 SUV Lynk & Co previewed last year, it looks relatively production ready. Sharp design inside and out is balanced by an impressive cabin that features an LCD gauge cluster.
Underneath, it's expected to share the same powertrains and platform as the 01 -- which means three and four-cylinder turbocharged engine options, as well as electric and plug-in variants.
Another curious piece of the Lynk & Co puzzle is that it promised that each of its cars will come with a lifetime warranty, "to further underline our determination to challenge the traditional business model of the car industry", says the CEO, Alain Visser.