New VW SUV flagship with plug-in hybrid and AWD, Seven new electric and plug-in hybrid models due by 2020

• New SUV flagship with plug-in hybrid and all-wheel drive
• Seven new electric and plug-in hybrid models due by 2020 

Volkswagen pushes forward the development of fully or partially electrically powered vehicles. Volkswagen plans to launch seven new electric and plug-in hybrid models on the Chinese market in the next three to four years. Each of these vehicles will also be made in China. 

In addition to this, a new design and development centre in China is also planned. The new models presented in Beijing demonstrate the assertiveness with which Volkswagen is reinventing mobility. 

The highlight is the debut, a true world premiere, of the T-Prime Concept GTE – the concept of a cutting-edge premium class SUV. This plug-in hybrid all-rounder gives a first glimpse of Volkswagen’s future flagship. 

The all-new Magotan was already presented as a world premiere at the Volkswagen Group Night on the eve of the show, accompanied by Volkswagen’s new PHIDEON luxury saloon and the zero-emission MPV BUDD-e, which made their Asian debut at the event. 

Volkswagen star in Beijing – the T-Prime Concept GTE

The T-Prime Concept GTE concept car is a premium class sport utility vehicle. With plug-in hybrid and all-wheel drive as well as zero emissions on any terrain, the concept car makes an automotive statement of a new era. 

The display and control concept are completely digital, the conventional switches in the interior have been done away with and replaced by gesture and voice control, touchscreens and touch-sensitive surfaces. 

The T-Prime is the world’s first car to feature a Curved Interaction Area – a curved infotainment display that blends in with the remaining displays and controls in the futuristic cockpit. The concept car’s eight-speed automatic transmission is controlled intuitively “by wire” using a glass scroll wheel.

The T-Prime Concept GTE is ideal as a versatile alternative to conventional vehicle concepts, as the four-seat SUV concept car combines the best of various different automotive worlds: comfortable like a saloon; spacious like an estate; offering traction that is superior to all other types of car; based on state-of-the-art chassis technology; agile like a sportscar and – thanks to innovative drive technologies – efficient like a compact car. 

One of the many fitting innovations is the plug-in hybrid drive that is practically silent in its electric E-Mode, which makes the T-Prime Concept GTE a zero-emission SUV with a range of up to 50 kilometres. In GTE mode the 280 kW/381 PS concept car demonstrates pure dynamism. Visually, the innovative technical layout is reflected in a charismatic and sporty design.

The T-Prime Concept GTE is part of an SUV product offensive that was launched this spring with the European debut of the new Tiguan. In future this successful model will, for the first time, also be available with an extended wheelbase. 

In the classes above it, this will be followed by a new mid-size SUV for China and the USA as well as the successful Touareg or a vehicle based on the T-Prime Concept GTE. 

Beneath the Tiguan, two new SUV model series will also make their debut: in the Golf class there will be an SUV based on the T-ROC concept car. The T-Cross Breeze presented in Geneva in March, on the other hand, gives a glimpse of a future SUV in the Polo class.

Next generation Magotan

The completely newly-developed Magotan will be launched in July. This saloon car is the first vehicle to be based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). Thanks to the MQB, the designers and engineers were able to achieve a rear passenger compartment with an unrivalled amount of space as well as ideal body proportions. 

Alongside this, the Magotan also features a plethora of new driver assistance and convenience and infotainment systems. And the Magotan features a high-tech drive train, too: three TSI engines ranging from 110 kW/150 PS to 162 kW/220 PS offer the highest possible degree of efficiency and dynamism.

The new PHIDEON

The PHIDEO Nisa new premium class saloon. This Volkswagen, which is around five metres long, will be launched in China in the third quarter of 2016. The PHIDEON was derived, with only minor changes, almost directly from the breath-taking C Coupé GTE concept car (which made its world premiere at Auto Shanghai in 2015). 

The all-wheel drive PHIDEON 3.0 TSI 4MOTION is available with a V6 TSI that delivers 220 kW/300 PS. The new saloon will also be available as a 2.0 TSI (four-cylinder and front-wheel drive). A model with a plug-in hybrid drive is also planned for the future.

The BUDD-e concept

The BUDD-e is based on a new technology matrix for electric vehicles, the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB). Range: up to 533 km (NEDC).The battery can be 80% recharged within 30 minutes. The completely new method of operation and information processing is intriguing. 

Touch and gesture control merge seamlessly; switches and buttons are a thing of the past; individual displays blend into large infotainment panels and analogue mirrors are replaced by digital screens. You can already experience the future today on board the BUDD-e.

Fiat launches Ottima hatchback in China

Fiat S.p.A. started selling its second China-made model, the Ottima compact hatchback, in China last week.

The Ottima is derived from the Viaggio compact sedan, Fiat's first locally produced vehicle, and is priced from 108,800 to 158,800 yuan ($17,740 to $25,890).

The Ottima is 4,545 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,476 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,708 mm.

The car is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine combined with a five-speed manual or eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The Ottima is built at GAC Fiat Automobiles Co., the Italian automaker's joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co.

GAC Fiat, established in 2010 in the central China city of Changsha, can produce as many as 140,000 vehicles a year. Last year, the company sold 11,288 vehicles.

GAC Fiat also wants to produce the new Jeep Cherokee in China. But the two partners have yet decide whether to build the Jeep in Changsha or at Guangzhou Auto's assembly plant in the south China city of Guangzhou.

Hyundai previews new concept for China only car - a chunkier looking i40 saloon.

• The Mistra concept, a preview of Hyundai’s latest China-exclusive model, makes its world debut at the motor show
• Hyundai to accelerate efforts in becoming a leading brand in China

Hyundai unveiled the Mistra concept at the Shanghai New International Expo Center today. The debut comes ahead of the company’s launch later this year of Mistra (Mingtu, or 名图 in Chinese), the production-version of the concept. Hyundai also introduced its Grand Santa Fe premium SUV to the Chinese market today.

The Mistra, which is positioned between the Sonata and Elantra, fully reflected Chinese customers’needs and preferences during the development process, and is expected to boost Hyundai’s presence in China’s mid-sized segment.

Despite its relatively late entry into the Chinese market in 2002 with the establishment of Beijing Hyundai Motor Co. (BHMC), a 50-50 joint venture between Hyundai Motor and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co., Hyundai has been growing rapidly for the past ten years to become one of the country’s mainstream brands, inspiring media to coin the term ‘Hyundai Speed.’ Facing the decade ahead, Hyundai aims to accelerate its brand management for the next ten years.

“Hyundai has achieved remarkable growth in the past decade, in line with the Chinese auto market’s rapid growth,” said Sung Kee Choi, President of BHMC, during a speech. “The Mistra and Grand Santa Fe will lead us towards another successful era. We will prepare against fiercer competition in the Chinese market through our strategy of brand innovation based on quality.”

Besides the two new cars, Hyundai reinforced its modern and sophisticated image by displaying its eco-friendly models such as the ix35 Fuel Cell, and Sonata Hybrid, as well as its in-vehicle IT service, Blue Link, to promote its advanced technologies. Within its premium zone, located at the centre of the booth, Hyundai’s high-end models such as the face-lifted Equus Limousine and HCD-14 Genesis concept were exhibited. The face-lifted Equus will go on sale in China in the first half of this year.

Mistra concept

The Mistra concept, a joint project between Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Center and the Beijing Hyundai Technical Centre, offers significant insight into the styling of the production version, which is scheduled to go on sale later this year.

The mid-sized sedan concept has an overall length of 4,710 mm, overall width of 1,820 mm and overall height of 1,470 mm, as well as a 2,770 mm-long wheelbase. It also has 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

The concept of its exterior design is ‘Grand,’ which consists of three sub-concepts: Modern Simplicity, Understated Sportiness and Smart Luxury. Reflecting local customers’ preferences, an enchanting and elegant jade green body colour, called ‘Frost Jade,’ was applied.  

A wide radiator grille gives a bold first impression, while unique fog lamps and a wide intake hole contribute to a stable image. The harmony among the long hood, sleek daylight opening side window and sloping side character lines complete an understated sporty profile. The voluminous rear bumper, with its two-tone colour, adds a sporty image, while the futuristic full-LED rear combination lamps give it a sophisticated look.

The source of inspiration for the name of this new upcoming strategic model, Mistra, is the beautiful city in the Laconia region of southern Greece where the ruins of the Byzantine Empire is located. Mistra signifies beauty, nobility and mystery. Its Chinese name, Mingtu, signifies integrity and quality, in hopes of presenting customers with a blueprint for a bright and successful future.

The Mistra was designed to meet the diverse needs of the mainstream urban population, providing them with even more comprehensive and diverse choices. Its main target customers are young parents in their 20s and 30s.  

Grand Santa Fe

The Grand Santa Fe, a long-wheelbase, three-row version of Hyundai’s premium SUV, Santa Fe, also made its Chinese debut today. Building on the momentum created by the third-generation Santa Fe, which has been posting strong sales in China since its launch in January this year, the Grand Santa Fe will further enhance Hyundai’s market share in the growing premium SUV segment. The Grand Santa Fe will begin sales in China in the first half of this year.

Based on the design concept of Storm Edge, which is part of Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy, the side and rear views have been redesigned with a wider quarter glass for more openness. The wider rear view offers stability and poise. It has an overall length of 4,915mm, overall width of 1,885mm, overall height of 1,690mm, and a 2,800mm wheelbase.

The Grand Santa Fe comes with three types of engines. The LambdaⅡ 3.3 GDI and 3.0 GDI engines deliver maximum outputs of 286ps and 264ps, and maximum torque of 34.4kg.m and 31.2kg.m, respectively. Hyundai also offers a 2.2-litre diesel R engine, delivering a maximum output of 197ps, and maximum torque of 44.5kg.m.

The Grand Santa Fe is 225 mm longer than the Santa Fe, giving passengers in the second and third rows more space. The luggage capacity is also increased to 630 litres, an optimal size for family trips. The independent second row seats offer more comfort, while at the same time providing easier access to third row seats.