We all eagerly look forward to the various motor shows round the world. We get to see a glimpse of what each manufacturer is developing, what might come to market soon, what kind of new design ethos a brand is developing, etc.
It is all fascinating!
You get the amusing visions of the future, such as Toyota's fish inspired FT-Bh hybrid city car...
You get the ones which are designed to show you what is in the pipeline, such as Landrovers DC100, which looks like it will end up (after further tweaking) as the replacement for the indefatigable Defender.
Others are showroom ready, such as Range Rovers Evoque convertible...
Then you get the bonkers. Such as Lambourgini's stealth fighter inspired Aventador. Where, just because a regular one might not scare you enough, they lopped the roof off...
Or even more entertaining, the new Sbarro Floper III (I want it just for the name!) A Formula 1 inspired ride where you get to sit next to you loved one and hold hands, whilst blasting down the road getting flies in your teeth!
Then there is the just downright sexy. Like Aston Martin's V12 Zagato.
And best of all, if you visit the Beijing motor show, you get to see all the cars again, from new manufacturers, or the dreams of some freaky scientists hell-bent on genetically modifying cars to mash them together.
I have commented on this before, where many Chinese car companies are blatantly ripping more established marques styles. And they are STILL at it! Despite many being financially sound, and getting more and more experience all the time, they just cannot let go of the desire to piggyback their brand on the back of the hard work of others! Here are just a few examples...
The new Roewe E50.
Which bears a strong resemblance to Nissan's Leaf, and is also a battery-powered car. Also, it is worth noting Roewe was born from the ashes of Rover, the British marque that died quite some years back.
There is also the Lifan 320, which will NEVER enter the US or UK, and probably wont make it outside China either, due to the less than subtle borrowing of styling cues from...
Mini!
Moving on to a new sports concept. From Heyue...
Which looks like the end result of a night of passion in a seedy hotel between a Lambourgini, and Mitsubishi's Lancer.
Or how about this one? Geely, famous for ripping Rolls Royce a few years back, is at it again. Deciding to visit the UK to rip another famous UK marque. This time, with its new concept, the Englon SC7 (Eng? As in England, Eng? and Lon, as in London, Lon?)
Which looks like the mutant love-child from a one night stand between a London taxi, and Bentleys new EXP 9F SUV concept!
However, there is this offering from the Beijing Motor show, a new MG Icon compact SUV concept which is ready to go. It looks very handsome. I hope this actually does well!
Best of all? No copying any other company's style! Why? This was designed in MG's in-house studio. In England.
So, come on China! PLEASE come up with your own ideas! There must be SOMEONE in that 1 billion plus population who is capable of creating a uniquely Chinese style!
