China is now the new attraction for carmakers, explaining why most of these world debuts took place in Shanghai rather than New York.
AUDI A3 E-TRON
What is it? This is another in a string of e-tron concept cars from Audi. This time round, the drivetrain is a hybrid mating a 211hp 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine to a 27hp electric motor.Will it be made? Highly likely, both the saloon body for the next A3 and hybrid system for Audi's small cars.
BMW M5
What is it? This is a preview of BMW's fifth-generation M5 highlighting a high-revving 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 powerhouse and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Outputs have yet to be revealed.Will it be made? Certainly, within this year _ and looking like this.
LEXUS LF-GH
What is it? This is a preview of what the next-generation GS executive saloon would look like. Lexus has also announced a new hybrid drivetrain but fell short of divulging the details.Will it be made? Yes, but with more relaxed design cues.
MERCEDES-BENZ CONCEPT A
What is it? Mercedes is hoping its second-generation A-class will become a proper rival to the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series, hence this sporty, three-door package previewed here.Will it be made? Yes, but with toned down lines.
NISSAN LEAF NISMO RC
What is it? Nissan has unveiled a race car based on the Leaf but without the rear doors, rear seats, carpeting and audio. The mid-mounted batteries help develop 107hp that drive the rear wheels. It can race for 20min maximum.Will it be made? Yes, but only for demo purposes at racing events.
NISSAN SMALL CONCEPT
What is it? Nissan and its Chinese partner have come with a sporty version of the March hatchback blessed with a 190hp 1.6-litre petrol-turbo, which can now be found in the all-new Tiida.Will it be made? Possible, as a hot hatch in three-door form.
PEUGEOT SXC
What is it? It's an experimental crossover vehicle Peugeot has designed with input from the Chinese (SXC stands for Shanghai Cross Concept). It features a diesel/electric hybrid, just used by the Citroen DS5 (see new entries).Will it be made? It could form the basis of a Mazda CX-5 rival.
SUBARU XV CONCEPT
What is it? This concept is a jacked-up 4x4 version of the fourth-gen Impreza, which premiered on the other side of the Pacific in the US.Will it be made? Yes.
SUZUKI KIZASHI ECOCHARGE
What is it? Suzuki is joining the hybrid fray in the mid-size family saloon segment by previewing the Kizashi with a 2.0-litre petrol/electric engine and six-speed automatic gearbox.Will it be made? Sure, it's now a must for players in this segment of the US market.
VOLVO UNIVERSE
What is it? Under new Chinese ownership, the Swedes are keen to show their ambitions of building a new flagship saloon. The looks of this concept has been inspired by the PV544.Will it be made? It could provide some hints to the next S80 _ in long wheelbase form, too.
NEW ENTRIES
The Q3 is Audi's third SUV aimed squarely at the BMW X1. It comes with a range of efficient petrol and diesel four-pot engines, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, energy regeneration and automatic stop/go. Thai pricing is a challenge due to the locally built X1, which kicks out at 2.149 million baht.
Shortly after the arrival of the Convertible body comes the more popular Coupe{aac} variation. Like the rag-top Six, the fixed-roof comes with two bi-turbo petrol engines initially: 407hp 4.4-litre V8 (650i) and 320hp 3.0-litre inline-six (640i), with the latter slated to cost at least 8.5 million baht.
Munich's roadster becomes the second model after the X1 sport-ute to get the brand's new 240hp 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder petrol replacing the 3.0-litre naturally aspirated inline-six unit. Such a Z4 sounds enticing, although the local 220hp tax barrier remains a challenge for BMW to detune the engine.
General Motors' mass-market brand has rolled out a new mid-sized saloon for world markets. Although the Malibu name isn't new to the Americans, it is elsewhere and is set to replace the Chevrolet/Holden Epica. The Toyota Camry-rivalling Chevy's main engine is a 2.4-litre petrol head.
This is the third DS model from Citroen's new fashion brand. The DS5 has a bigger and more versatile interior than the smaller DS4 hatchback and highlights the brand's hybrid, combining a 163hp 1.6-litre diesel-turbo and 37hp electric motor. Thai sales start late 2012 at the earliest.
Jaguar has updated its BMW 5-series-rivalling executive saloon by giving it a sleeker headlamp design first featured in the CX concept car. Also new is an eight-speed automatic transmission, automatic stop-go system, as well as a smaller 190hp 2.2-litre diesel-turbo shared with Land Rover to choose from.
After launching the five-door hatchback version in Geneva earlier this year to rival the likes of the Toyota Yaris, Kia has introduced a four-door variation to match the Vios. Although the K2 has been designed in China, other markets around the world also get it albeit different headlamp theme.
The second-generation Tiida breaks cover with a sleeker and longer hatchback body. Although a new 190hp 1.6-litre petrol-turbo and CVT automatic are being highlighted, the non-turbo version will be of more relevance here as it is set to hit Thai assembly lines late next year.
With more than 550hp on tap, thanks to a fettled 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8 motor that produces 50hp less in regular Turbo form, the Turbo S is not only the fastest Panamera but also the quickest four-door saloon on the planet so far from an OEM maker. It goes from 0-100kph in 3.8sec.
Mirroring the strategy used in the flagship Phantom, the smaller Ghost now comes with a long wheelbase body to appeal to Asians by having an extra 170mm of metal between the front and rear axles. Power comes from the usual BMW-sourced 570hp 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12.
After just four years on the market, the Impreza gets an all-new replacement due to its widely criticised looks and driving manners. The appearance of the fourth-gen Impreza has been inspired by a sharp-looking concept car, shown in Los Angeles last November. There's also a hatchback body.
Entering second generation, the iconic New Beetle comes with bolder exterior and interior lines ditching the feminity of its predecessor. The Mk2 Bug also gets bigger performance from a 200hp turbocharged four-pot, although fans may just be happy with 105 horses. Sales start Feb 2012.