Bruno’s Blabberings
I’m still in the US, shuttling back and forth across the country but have been keeping tabs on the reveals of the Beijing show through other articles and correspondences with journalists attending. At the moment we’re waiting on the big outlets like S.A.M to come out with their takes, and despite not officially announcing coverage we couldn’t keep our eyes and ears off the show. Even though the show is a biennial affair, China has rapidly assumed a central role in the automotive world, as the largest country population-wise would mean the markets were huge. 2016 brought many high level unveilings and this year was not lacking either. While many of the new car reveals there will be for the Chinese market only, a few of them will be destined for showrooms beyond Asia.
After a promising amount of confirmed attending companies, we got to see teasers of some more modern looking AL cars, a meaty Maine truck, a mysterious but official-looking sedan from Chángzhēng. ZM made an appearance with their Gorizia, and Zenshi brought the Altrea sedan and wagon. Things have been improving but a number are still succumbing to the old issue of having poorly framed photos or drab dark images with a car slapped on it. Grim.
Not too long after, the real reveals started pouring in, Maine being the first across the line again with a rather fitting NASCAR spec Guerilla truck accompanied by the smartly dressed brute that is the roadgoing version. Evgenis has returned to media attention after having fallen to the wayside with the simple but modern looking Valta Kyori. I do think it could do with larger and classier wheels, something which I do think the Gorizia following it manages. LaVache waded in with their new mid-size, a rather angular and angry looking thing with shouty colours but a decent set of engine choices. Fans of supercars would be fawning over the Bogliq Nilhilist about now but they’re not really my cup of tea and to be completely honest, that rear is a bit gopping. It does sport some nice big numbers but it honestly screams penis compensator device to me I’d rather have nihil instead. Meanwhile, Rennen has pressed on with their concept car quartet, this time bringing out the LEC-Serenity, a car that more inspires sleep in me than serenity, but it’s alright. There’s not much wrong with it other than the strange proportions of the front end, however those wheels are fantastic, I will concede. Following was the NCP Journey, an absolute anachronism. The rear end feels very dated despite the modern looking lower fascia while the upper part of front end has all kinds of strange protrusions and thick/thin elements that challenges the consistency of the look badly - and the wheels are also a no from me. CMW came out with the CS series, another unfortunate disappointment for me, I have to say. Rear ends are often sparse and there are conflicting shapes. No doubt specifying them will be a treat with their great engine and paint options, that I am glad to see. Joining the big sedan troupe was the Zenshi Altrea, a clever design that gets away with an effective look with minimal use of lines and shapes so the design is an unfussed modernness, something that unfortunately I can’t say about the rear. The wagon variant certainly looks much better and the large straight-six smoothness will be a good fit I’d wager. Something that did catch my eye was the TSR Urban Coupe sporting a very clean and chunky look with nice fat LED bars and a cute little wing. I do wish the vents along the sides and rear were aligned better and didn’t look so haphazard, plus the rear could definitely do with a diffuser type look even if it’s just for visuals. Apparently the name has come under contention, with Montes challenging the use of the “Urban”, something I honestly don’t really follow. It’s a very generic noun that they certainly didn’t invent, nor are these two cars that people would cross-shop anyway.
Anyway, back on track, the Kilimanjaro has finally undergone a facelift, apparently sharing a platform with the recently released Stardust and comes in AWD and FWD guises with 3 engine options. Stretching the very definition of luxury to the limit, Scagliati glid in with the Ducale. Ducale is a name pertaining to royalty, such as a duke, but also representing the extent to which it is superlative. If you take the carbonfibre, twin turbo V12 and handmade interior into consideration that may just be the case. While it doesn’t exude svelte luxobarge to me, it still looks cracking and the flagposts are a nifty little touch. I’ve heard whispers that it’ll be a 400 grand car and I’d be lying if I said I’d rather spend that money on a Nihilist or something like that. That’s me done then, if I knew more or was there I’d definitely be rambling on still, but that’s all from me for now, cheerio!
ー Bruno
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