Mini has chosen the 2012 Beijing Motor Show to introduce to the world two new models: the Mini Hyde Park and the Mini Cooper S Countryman ‘The Chinese Job’, with the latter specifically designed for the Chinese market and clearly inspired by the famous ‘The Italian Job’ movie. Fancy name and a few subtle details aside, this model is just a cosmetic variation of the usual range, in the same fashion as other ‘limited editions’ released by the English/German manufacturer in the past.

The Mini Hyde Park instead (that we introduced a few days ago along with the Green Park trim) can be easily recognized by its exclusive color scheme, which features Pepper White as basic color and contrasting Hot Chocolate brown for the roof, wing mirrors and a pair of longitudinal stripes. Inside, the Pepper White/Hot Chocolate theme continues, while the seats use mixed leather and fabric upholstery. This special trim - dedicated to the famous park in London - will be made available for the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D and Cooper SD models.

At the Mini stall in Beijing there are also all the current variations of the Mini Cooper S: the Clubman, the Countryman, and the more recent Coupe and Roadster, all of which are equipped with the same 184 hp 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine. Check the whole lot out in our exclusive photo gallery.

View the full Mini @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery

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Two hundreds Chinese drivers will be the owners of the Range Rover Evoque Special Edition, limited to 200 units, which boasts luxurious trimmings and lavish materials. This model has been created in collaboration with Victoria Beckham, former Spice Girl, turned Creative Design Executive for the British brand, who has teamed up with Land Rover Design to create a refined, exclusive and very expensive special edition: each car will be on sale at £79,995.

The whopping price includes exclusive features such as 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels with rose-gold accents and hand-finished matt paint. The interior is enhanced with gold-plated accents, Piano Black finishes and hand-stitched leather upholstery. Each car is equipped with a set of four leather suitcases and a hand-sewn wallet for the manual signed by Victoria Beckham. The Evoque Special Edition features a 2.0-litre supercharged petrol engine with 240 hp.

View the full Range Rover Evoque Special Edition photo gallery

Continue reading: Range Rover Evoque Special Edition @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show

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Chrysler has brought to the 2012 Beijing Motor Show a special version of its 300C sedan that will be released on the Chinese market only, the 300C Ruyi Design Concept. In order to celebrate the return of the American manufacturer on the Asian markets, the 300C has been painted with a special Maximum Steel black color that emphasizes the elegance of the model without affecting its athletic looks.

Exclusive paintjob aside, this limited edition 300C comes with a newly designed set of 22″ 10-spoke alloys and a mildly revised front end, now featuring a slightly different grille and a newly designed bumper. From a mechanical point of view though, the original 300C powertrain has been left untouched, with its 292 hp 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar engine, 8-speed automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive being its main, basic features.

As for the cabin, the Chrysler 300 C Ruyi Design Concept comes with new materials and top notch contrasting finishing. A few drawings inspired by the Chinese culture can be spotted on the backrests of the seats, a phenomenon that is becoming kind of trendy on the cars that are being marketed in that country. Needless to say, the car comes with all sorts of accessories and systems that you would expect in a car of this class, but if you would like to know more about this special 300C, check out Chrysler’s official press release right after the jump.

View the full Chrysler 300C Ruyi Design Concept @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery

Continue reading: Chrysler 300C Ruyi Design Concept @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show

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The 2012 Beijing Motor Show is about to see the unveiling of two brand new models from Mercedes: the revamped G-Class and the new G63 AMG. Our colleagues from parent-site Autoblog.it already got the chance to see them both ‘in the metal’, and here are a few pictures showing us the two new born-creatures from the house of the three-pointed star in all of their majesty.

Just for the record, the details we have anticipated a few days ago are confirmed. The renewed G-Class - a.k.a. G-wagon - maintains its classic, timeless styling while adopting a decidedly more modern approach: the main lines of its design are basically the same as the first generation of this iconic offroader - which debuted in 1979 - but a few cosmetic upgrades make it clear that the new model is now perfectly aligned to nowadays standards. From this point of view, at a first glance, LED daytime running lights, newly designed wing mirrors and bigger air-inlets on the sides are its most distinguishing features. On the contrary, the passenger compartment has been completely re-designed: right in the middle of the dashboard there is a screen that allows the driver to control the Comand Online infotainment system that include DVD-Changer and Controller, while Active Cruise Control with Distronic Plus (a system that monitors the safety distance), Blind Spot Assist and Parktronic are available as optional extras. Besides there’s also an updated version of the ESP, which provides for a better handling of the most challenging situations.

As for the engine range, there are three version of the G-Class: the G 350 BlueTEC, the G 500 - both of which will come in a station-wagon configuration, with a longer wheel base - and the G 500 Cabrio, with a shorter wheel base. The G 350 BlueTEC is powered by a 2,987 cc V6 diesel engine producing 155 kW (211 hp) at 3,400 rpm and a peak torque of 540 Nm between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm. The G 500 is equipped with a5.5-litre V8 credited with an output of 285 kW (387 hp) and 530 Nm of peak torque, which is the same unit that pulses under the bonnet of the G 500 Cabrio. Both the G 350 and the G 500 come with the by now well-know 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic gearbox.

Mercedes-Benz G63 & G65 AMG

The fact the new G63 AMG is being launched in Beijing is no surprise as China has now become the third bigger market worldwide for AMG products. The new model is pushed by a 5.4-litre twin-turbo V8 unit delivering 544 hp and 760 Nm of maximum torque, which make for an extra 37 hp and 60 Nm over the outgoing 5.5 Kompressor version, the G55 AMG. As for the performance figures, Mercedes claim a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 5,4 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). For the first time the model will use a ECO system with Start-Stop that will contain the emissions of its frightening V8 to a minimum. Aesthetically, the AMG variant of the G-Class can be told apart from the other versions by its exclusive AMG gloss black “twin-blade” radiator grille, the newly designed bumpers with larger air-intakes, the wider fenders, its dedicated set of 20″ alloys, AMG side skirts, the mufflers placed in front of the rear wheels and its red-painted calipers.

Let’s be honest though, would you have expected AMG to be satiated with just a V8? Sure thing they weren’t, so here is the G65 AMG, powered by a terrifying 6.0-litre twin turbo V12 that will definitely take no prisoners. Credited with an output of 612 hp and a maximum torque of 1000 Nm, this engine sees Mercedes raising the bar for the whole segment, actually setting a new offroad standard altogether: this monster can go from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.3 seconds, reaching a self-imposed top speed of no less than 230 km/h (143 mph). Go figure.

A rolling stock for the clients

The presentation of the G63 AMG took place at the AMG Performance Center of Beijing, where our mates from Autoblog.it also got the chance to visit the whole facility. Besides the usual information packs - both ‘traditional’ and multimedia - the customers are also given the chacne to access a secluded parking lot where they can check out the various AMG models in many different colors, allowing them to see what they are in for in first person and, on the top of all that, go out for a test drive too. Not bad at all.

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Fiat introduces the new Viaggio at the ongoing 2012 Beijing Motor Show. The new sedan from the Italian manufacturer will be initially sold in China only with the ‘Fei Xiang’ moniker, but might soon become available in other markets as well. The car was designed at the Fiat Style Center in Turin and measures 4,679 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width and boasts a wheel base of a 2,708 mm. The model will be positioned in the C-segment and has been developed on the same CUSW platform (Compact US Wide) that generated the Dodge Dart and is an evolution of the Compact platform that spawned the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The Viaggio will come with a supercharged 1.4-litre T-Jet engine available in two power steps (120 and 150 hp) that can be coupled to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox. The Viaggio will be produced in Changsha, in the Chinese provence of Hunan.

View the full Fiat Viaggio live @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery
View the official Fiat Viaggio photo gallery

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A spokesman for the Mini brand has confirmed future production of the Clubvan, displayed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and aimed to those small business which don’t want to compromise on style and sophistication. The Clubvan will debut in 2013 and will have all the features introduced by the concept car, including the stainless-steel grille that separates the passengers from the cargo compartment. This brand new model is based on the Mini Clubman version, against which loses the rear bench and rear side windows (replaced by polycarbonate lining).

What remains unchanged are driving performance and the characteristic rear-hinged side door opening, while the cargo area is flat and has some useful accessories such as integrated 12v power socket and six tie-down hooks to secure the load.

View the full Mini Clubvan Concept photo gallery

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The President of BMW’s M division has been interviewed by Car and Driver magazine. The chat has added details to the development of future models, including the M135i concept presented during the last Geneva Motor Show. “The real car will be virtually identical to the concept – revealed Friedrich Nitschke- It will be powered by the N55 engine, and you will be able to buy it with a manual or automatic transmission. We will also offer optional all-wheel drive. But there won’t be such a hatchback model in the U.S “ The manager then added that “we are considering” a high-performance 7-Series, to rival the Audi S8 and Mercedes S 63 AMG, while the M550d won’t be imported into the United States because potential sales numbers are considered insufficient.

Nitschke has then talked about the i3 and i8, contradicting the arrival of the M versions in the U.S. “They are like different poles of the brand” - admitted the manager - “The i brand offers the sportiest gas-saving cars, while M GmbH offers the most-efficient sporting cars.” The president then revealed that the tri-turbo technology will not be introduced for M Gmbh vehicles, lightweight technology “is a huge topic for us” and that “We have the technology and the know-how. We have the entire competence to build a supercar, whether mid/rear engined or not. But we don’t have a final go.”

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Mercedes is in the process of reorganising the denomination of its models, with the goal of making the classification a bit clearer to understand and remember. This news was reported by Automobile Magazine site, which also explains how to interpret the acronyms and how to navigate the sea of consonants and vowels. The most traditional cars will remain immune to the revolution. Mercedes will continue to offer C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, G-Class, in addition to the SLK, SL and SLS AMG. A-Class and B-Class haven’t been mentioned, possibly because they represent an innovation in the whole range of the brand. The situation changes however for the remaining models.

All coupes, convertibles and sport saloons will gain the prefix CL. Same goes for SUVs (GL) and for sports (SL). Each prefix is then followed by the letter of the family they belong to. For this reason, the Concept Style Coupe will be renamed CLA, because of his membership to the broader CL family and due to common elements shared with the A-Class. The C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet will be called CLC and CLE, while the CL will be SLC, in order not to force the CLS to a painful change of identity. The sports car known as “baby-SLS” will be using the moniker SLR, already adopted by the V8 front-engine.

The question remains: what about the SUVs? Models based on the MFA platform will be sold as GLA, while the GLK, given its relationship with the C-Class, will be converted into GLC. The editors of Automobile Magazine, however, don’t mention the M-Class, GL and R-Class. So we’ll patiently wait and see.

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Lamborghini has officially confirmed the arrival of its first SUV. The car will be presented at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show (April 25th-May 2nd) and is here anticipated by a partial picture, which shows its outline and layout. All details will be announced next Monday.

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In the wake of the recent Mini Baker Street and Mini Bayswater, the English/German automaker presents another two limited editions inspired by two of the most famous park in London. The new Mini Hyde Park and Mini Green Park are special variants for both Hatch and Clubman body styles and will be made available worldwide.

The Mini Hyde Park can be easily recognized by its Pepper White / Hot Chocolate paint scheme that involves also the roof and the exterior wing mirrors. The bottom section of the Mini’s C-pillars are usually black, but they have also been painted Pepper White the look of this version. The Mini Green Park uses the same sort of theme of the Hyde Park, but with British Racing Green bits replacing the Hot Chocolate parts to create the contrast with the Pepper White bodywork.

In the cabin the Pepper White theme continues and is pretty much identical for both trims, with also cloth or leather seats offered in Carbon Black or Polar Beige, whereas the dashboard is lined in Black/Polar Beige leather. These two brand new themes will be made available for the Cooper, the Cooper S, the Cooper D, the Cooper SD and the Clubman variants.

View the full Mini Hyde Park and Mini Green Park photo gallery

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