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This Week’s Top Photos: 2021 Shanghai auto show edition

This week’s Auto Shanghai 2021 was the first major auto show to be held since the pandemic hit, and it didn’t disappoint. But it wasn’t the established automakers that stormed the show. Rather, it was China’s domestic brands which put their mark on their home show for the first time.

Case in point was a new hypercar from luxury brand Hongqi. The hypercar is called the S9, and it features a V-8-based plug-in hybrid powertrain good for 1,400 hp. Just 99 examples are expected to be built.

Hongqi L-Concept – 2021 Shanghai auto show

Hongqi also used the Shanghai auto show to present a flagship concept. Called the Hongqi L-Concept, the show car is a striking sedan with a fastback profile, suicide-style doors, and we’re told even hanging mood lighting with crystal elements.

2021 Zeekr 001 – 2021 Shanghai auto show

Zeekr (Ji Ke in China), Geely’s new brand designed to target Tesla with sporty cars packed with the latest in vehicle technology, showed its first product. That first product was a handsome hot hatch with over 500 hp on tap.

2022 Xpeng P5 – 2021 Shanghai auto show

Xpeng presented the P5 in Shanghai, a small electric sedan with world-first self-driving technology. The P5 is the first production vehicle fitted with lidar, a technology that enables it to sense a much wider environment than if it relied on radar and camera systems alone.

Hengchi 1 – 2021 Shanghai auto show

A cashed-up electric-vehicle startup by the name of Hengchi unveiled a total of nine vehicles, one of which was a Tesla Model S rival. Hengchi, which plans to start production of its first model in 2022, is the parent company of NEVS, the company that tried to save Saab.

MG Cyberster concept – 2021 Shanghai auto show

MG isn’t a Chinese brand, but its parent company, SAIC, is one of the country’s biggest automakers. In Shanghai, MG unveiled a striking concept that teases a rival to electric sports cars like the Tesla Roadster.

Audi A6 E-Tron concept

But what about non-Chinese automakers? Audi surprised everyone with its stunning A6 E-Tron Concept. The stunning electric sedan is one of 20 EVs Audi plans to have in its lineup by 2025, and we should see it on sale in 2023.

Toyota BZ4X concept – 2021 Shanghai auto show

And finally, Toyota used the show to preview its first volume EV, also with a thinly veiled concept. It’s called the BZ4X, and its production counterpart should be at dealerships in 2022.

There was much more in Shanghai. As always, you’ll find our complete coverage over at our dedicated hub.

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April 24, 2021
Prince’s car collection, Lincoln Zephyr Reflection, 2022 Porsche 911 GT3: The Week In Reverse

We looked at Prince’s car collection, Lincoln previewed its future, and we drove the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3. It’s the Week in Reverse, right here at Motor Authority.

This week marked the fifth anniversary of pop star Prince’s death. When the artist died at the age of 57 his garage contained 18 vehicles. This week we took a look at the ones that either stood out or were the most surprising.

The Lincoln Zephyr Reflection was unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2021. While the gorgeous sedan won’t come to the U.S., its design gives a good indication of where the brand is headed designwise. The Zephyr Reflection previews a production model bound for the Chinese market later this year.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 73 4-Door Coupe was spied wearing minimal camouflage. The 800-plus-hp super hatch will be a plug-in hybrid serving as a range-topper in the GT 4-Door Coupe lineup. Expect it to debut officially later this year.

Cadillac’s done with gas-powered cars. The brand’s North American boss, Rory Harvey, said every new vehicle the luxury automaker introduces going forward will be electric, and that will start with the 2023 Lyriq.

We drove the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 and found it’s the best 911 yet. The new front suspension has done wonders for the car’s power delivery, especially when exiting a corner, and the steering feel is spot on.

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April 23, 2021
AWD INTEGRA DA9 SLEEPER: NON-VTEC BRUISER

That Racing Channel checks out an AWD Integra DA9 sleeper that’ll complete the 1/4 mile in 9 seconds and all thanks to a turbocharged non-VTEC B-series motor.

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It’s not unusual to see a B-series Honda screaming all the way to its redline, helped along the way by a big turbo and spinning its front wheels to high heaven. What is unusual is to see a non-VTEC B-series engine at the heart of the second-generation Honda (or Acura here as it was sold as in the United States) being pushed along the road by a turbo spinning at 36psi of boost while sending the power down to the ground to all four wheels. The result? An AWD Integra DA9 sleeper that’ll complete the quarter mile in 9 seconds.

What’s nice to see is a sleeper that embodies that character to the max, with the only tell-tale signs that this is modified coming in the shape of sticky Toyos wrapped around 15-inch Volk TE37 wheels and a roll-cage inside. OK, you can peep the intercooler hidden behind the front grille, but you’d need to be looking for it to notice. The only other way you’ll see that this is no ordinary car is when it leaves you behind at a set of lights…

Inside, a full interior with gauges and creature comforts fill the cabin, while under the bonnet resides things like power steering, to keep things comfortable.

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April 23, 2021