The doors open on the thirteenth Auto Shanghai today, with a stunning range of cars and an extensive number of manufacturers in attendance, despite the global downturn in vehicle sales.
Exhibitors to the show include the US big three; GM, Ford, Chrysler as well as European car makers including Mercedes Benz, Renault, Peugeot, and BMW. Add this to appearances from Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Audi, Skoda, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia and luxury brands Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, Maybach, Bentley and Lamborghini and you have the makings of an auto-spectacular.
In fact the show has prove such a hit in the past that the organisers have expanded their exhibition space by 20 per cent to cover a total of 170,000 square metres.
The motto for the fair-‘Art of Innovation’- guarantees that the manufacturers will be queuing up to display their latest and greatest developments.
Highlights of the show include the new Jaguar XJ (Jaguar issuing the teaser shot, above), set to go on sale at the end of 2009. The all-new XJ will be the first car to feature the next-generation of Jaguar’s aerospace-inspired aluminium body architecture. Additionally, Jaguar’s new ultra-efficient Gen III petrol and diesel engines will be available in the new XJ, including the already acclaimed V6 diesel and 510 bhp supercharged V8. There will be a choice of standard or long wheelbase models. The all-new XJ will introduce the highest standards of personal luxury and specification, including a panoramic glass roof.
Full details of the all-new XJ including prices are expected to be revealed on July 9th and orders for delivery in early 2010 will be taken from this time.
Porsche also presented the Panamera (pictured). The new four-door Panamera Gran Turismo enters the marketplace on September 12 2009, and joins the Boxster roadster, Cayman coupe, iconic 911 sports car, and Cayenne all-wheel drive in the Porsche product portfolio.
The Panamera is making its debut with a normally-aspirated 400bhp V8 petrol engine and a twin-turbocharged 500bhp V8 petrol engine, and in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive chassis configurations. A six-cylinder petrol engine and hybrid-powered derivatives will join the range later.
Klaus Berning, Executive Vice-President Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG, expressed a clear view at the unveiling of the new Porsche. ”Introducing the Panamera, we are entering a market segment completely new for our customers and we are once again consistently expanding our model portfolio.”
The Panamera offers the low and sleek silhouette that is typical of a Porsche, measuring 4.97 metres (195.7”) in length but only 1.42 metres (55.9”) in height, but these dimensions cloak a generous feeling of space for four people inside.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, Executive Vice-President Research and Development of Porsche AG, added an equally clear statement: “Our engineers, technicians, and designers have invested all their know-how, years of experience, a wealth of ideas, and their full passion for sports cars in this four-seater Gran Turismo.“
The Panamera is introducing no less than five outstanding innovations in technology to be admired for the first time in the luxury performance car class – among them the first engine Start-Stop system in conjunction with automatic transmission, air suspension with additional air volume available on demand in each spring, as well as active aerodynamics with an adjustable, multi-dimensional extending rear spoiler on the Panamera Turbo.
The Panamera sets new standards in its market segment in terms of performance, driving dynamics and efficiency. As expected, the car benefits from the traditional Porsche core competencies and years of experience in motorsport, since efficient and powerful engines, lightweight technologies, and optimised aerodynamics are also crucial to success on the race track. All models in the Panamera range come with Porsche Direct Fuel Injection engines, low-friction drive systems, and optimised lightweight bodies.
The rear-wheel drive Porsche Panamera S is offered with a six-speed manual gearbox. The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch transmission is available as an option. The Panamera 4S and Turbo have four-wheel drive and feature the PDK gearbox as standard. The active all-wheel drive system is controlled by Porsche Traction Management (PTM) via a multi-plate clutch that adjusts the engine power distribution between the front and rear axles for increased grip and agility.
The Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo goes on sale in the UK and Ireland on 12 September 2009. The four door performance car will be priced from £72,266 for the Panamera S, £77,269 for the Panamera 4S and £95,298 for the top of the range Panamera Turbo. Every Panamera has the assurance of a Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard, and customers will also be able to explore the potential of their new car by participating in a complimentary course at the new Porsche Driving Experience Centre, Silverstone.
ContractHireAndLeasing.com will bring you more highlights of the show over the week.
