Audi’s Chinese Partner To Reveal IM L6 Electric Sedan With 500-Mile Range In Geneva

The parent company of MG, SAIC Motors, is continuing its expansion in European territory with the introduction of a new electric-only brand called IM, which stands for Intelligent Mobility. The marque will introduce itself to well-heeled European consumers with the L6, which will make its global debut at the Geneva International Motor Show on February 26.

The electric sedan, which has yet to be revealed or even teased for Europe, is going after the premium market with impressive range and performance. Although horsepower ratings have not yet been shared, IM Motors promises that the L6 will be able to get from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in less than three seconds, which is quicker than a Lucid Air Grand Touring or a Tesla Model S Performance.

Read: IM Motors LS6 Secures 10,000 Orders In One Week, Offered With Up To 787 HP

The Chinese automaker also promises that the L6 will come in two different specs that offer between 600 km and 800 km (373 to 497 miles) of range. The longer-range model will achieve this feat thanks to a solid-state battery, which should be safer and quicker to recharge than the lithium-ion battery that powers the shorter-range model.

IM Motors also promises that the L6 will offer consumers “leading-edge levels of technology” in order to allow it to compete with Europe’s premium vehicles when it launches in 2025. As the brand’s introduction to the European market, the L6 is indicative of the vehicles it plans to sell on the continent. It says its focus on executive sedans and large SUVs.

The IM L6 will be unveiled alongside the new MG3 Hybrid. IM Motors was founded in 2020 as a joint venture between SAIC and Chinese tech companies Zhangjiang Hi-Tech and Alibaba. The newly formed brand is said to be one of the reasons why Audi deepened its collaboration with SAIC in China last year.

BYD Debuting Its Big Wang In Geneva Along With Some New SUVs

The other-worldly YangWang U8 from BYD will be showcased at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show kicking off on February 26 and will be displayed alongside other models from the Chinese brand. While this year’s event as a whole is shaping up to be quite disappointing compared to the glory days of the past, attendees will no doubt be fascinated by what BYD brings to the table.

BYD says it will use the event to gauge the public reaction to the YangWang U8 before it decides to launch the luxury brand in Europe. It has previously expressed an interest in selling it locally as a rival to vehicles like the Land Rover Defender 130, although it has not provided any indication as to how much it could cost in Europe.

Read: BYD May Bring 1,184HP YangWang U8 And 670HP Fang Cheng Bao 5 SUVs To Europe

Found beneath the dramatic bodywork of the U8 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine acting as a range extender for the 49.05 kWh battery pack. Feeding power to the ground are four electric motors with a combined output of 1,184 hp, giving the U8 almost double the power of a Lamborghini Urus. BYD will also demonstrate some of YangWang’s key technologies at the event, including its advanced DiSus Intelligent Body Control System and the e⁴ platform that underpins the SUV.

Plenty of other BYD products are also heading to Geneva. This includes the new Seal U DM-i plug-in hybrid SUV, which will be showcased alongside the seven-seat, battery-electric BYD Tang. The Seal U DM-i could prove particularly important for the company as it will be sold in markets where the EV infrastructure has not yet matured and in areas where drivers do not want to compromise in range.

Denza, the joint venture brand of BYD and Mercedes-Benz, will also be attending and presenting the D9 MPV.

Just a handful of other big-name car brands will be attending this month’s Geneva Motor Show, including Renault, Dacia, MG, Isuzu, and Lucid.

2024 MG3 Teases Interior With Dual Screens Ahead Of Geneva Motor Show Premiere

The third generation of the MG3 will have its world premiere on February 26 at the 2024 Geneva International Motor Show, the company confirmed.

The SAIC-owned brand also released the first teaser image of the interior on Monday, showcasing a fully revamped cabin. This redesign incorporates prominent dual infotainment and instrument panel displays, along with a rotary gear selector similar to the one found in the larger MG4 EV. Additionally, the seats boast diamond-stitched upholstery, something will likely be offered on higher trim levels.

More: Everything We Know About The New MG3 Sub-compact Hatch

While this is the first time that MG showed us the upcoming model, we are already familiar with its styling thanks to leaked photos and patent drawings. Predictably, the hatchback looks like a baby version of the MG5 and MG7 sedans, adopting the latest styling language of brand.

The front end sports a sharp nose and aggressive headlights. The large bumper intake makes up for the lack of a grille and is flanked by aerodynamic wings. The profile is more sculpted than before, with curved character lines reminiscent of the Seat Ibiza. At the back, there is a pair of horizontally mounted taillights and a sporty rear bumper.

MG has also confirmed plans to replace the current petrol-only powerplant with a new Hybrid Plus system. Although specific technical details were not disclosed, it is anticipated that the self-charging hybrid system will comprise a 1.5-liter petrol engine, a solitary electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack.

More: Does The MG Cyberster Live Up To The Legend Of A Classic Like The MGB?

The outgoing second generation of the MG 3 was originally introduced in 2011, with a facelift following 2018. Despite its age, the model remains a dominant force in Australia’s supermini segment, benefiting from the fact that it is the most affordable new car in the country. Still, MG needed a clean sheet design for its entry-level offering, that will keep it relevant until the EV-only era arises.

The 2024 MG 3 is expected to go on sale in Europe, the UK, and Asia-Pacific regions shortly after its debut in Geneva. It is safe to assume that the hatch will remain competitively priced, like its predecessor.

Story was updated on February 5, 2024 to include new information and teaser photos

Kimera’s AWD EVO38 “Integrale” To Debut On February 22

Kimera Automobili is ready to unveil the next chapter to its Lancia-inspired restomod saga in the form of the EVO38. The successor to the sold-out EVO37 appeared in a set of dark teasers showing familiar design traits inspired by the gorgeous Lancia 037. The new model, previously described as an “integrale” four-wheel-drive version of the original, will be unveiled on February 22 before making its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show on February 26.

According to Kimera, the EVO38 “reimagines a car that never saw the light of day” and answers a “what if?” question from an “alternate reality”. In other words, the company wants to build a four-wheel-drive evolution of the rallycar, offering it in street-legal form to a lucky few. The mechanical layout will be inspired by a Lancia prototype from the ’80s called “Mazinga” which didn’t get past the development stage following the 037’s withdrawal from racing.

More: The Martini 7 Is Kimera’s Rally Love Letter To Lancia 037 With A Power Boost

Kimera Automobili

The EVO38 was originally announced last year alongside the motorsport-inspired K-39. The new teasers show more of the EVO38’s revised body, including wider fenders and a more prominent aero kit. In earlier announcements, the company said that the redesign will bring improvements in the airflow, weight distribution, and ventilation, together with revised ergonomics inside the cabin.

The EVO38 will feature an upgraded powertrain with a larger centrally-mounted turbocharger and new chimney-style exhausts. An official sketch published a few months ago shows the mid-mounted engine and the positioning of the cooling intakes. It is worth noting that Kimera’s development team includes two-time World Rally Champion Miki Biasion who spent a lot of time behind the wheel of the original Lancia 037 and the Delta.

The EVO38 is expected to be available in strictly limited numbers, so you better call Kimera sooner rather than later.

Renault, Dacia, MG, BYD, Among Few Remaining Exhibitors At 2024 Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show is set to kick off on February 26 in Switzerland and the full list of exhibitors has just been announced. It makes for painful reading and shows just how quickly the event has slipped into irrelevance since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just a handful of big-name car manufacturers will be attending what was once the most important annual event on the automotive calendar. These consist of Renault, Dacia, MG, BYD, Isuzu, and Lucid. There will be a handful of smaller carmakers in attendance too, including Kimera Automobili, Pininfarina, and Microlino, as well as Silence and Totem Automobili.

Read: This Is The Production 2024 Renault 5 Electric Hatch

Don’t expect too many new car reveals scheduled for the event either, but the most important of these will be the launch of the long-awaited Renault 5 as well as an updated MG 3. Lucid’s presence at the event is a little surprising given how small its footprint in the European market is. On the other hand, it’s hardly a surprise that BYD will be there, as it wants to establish itself as a serious player across the Old Continent.

Organizers of the show say that this year’s event will have more of a focus on the public than previous iterations. One new feature of this year’s show will be an ‘Adrenaline Zone’, focusing on high-performance vehicles and motorsport, as well as a ‘Next World’ zone, hosted in partnership with Polyphony Digital where several Gran Turismo Vision concepts will be showcased.

While next month’s show will be small compared to pre-COVID times, the president of the organization behind the event, Alexandre de Senarclens, told Autocar that he wants to reestablish the event as the most prominent motor show in the world.

“We want to be back as the main international motor show in the world,” he said. “We had a very important place in that industry before, and we want to regain that. “We are convinced that we have an important role to play in the revolution of the motor industry, so the idea is to convince not only the public but also all the other brands that will not participate in 2024.”

BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi Will Be No-Shows At Geneva 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in chaos throughout the car industry, causing production holdups that in some cases are only now being shaken off. But one of the parties hardest hit was the Geneva Auto Show, which was cancelled days before the 2020 event was due to open and with the halls already full of cars.

The show, which recently turned up in Qatar, hasn’t been held in its traditional Swiss home since 2019, and now the 2024 comeback event planned for Europe has been hit with the news that at least four major automakers won’t be attending. BMW and Mercedes have both decided to stay away, according to a report in Automobilwoche, and given that Stellantis has just bailed on CES in Vegas, it’s possible that its team of brands might also not want to invest millions to be there.

Audi and the VW brand will also be no-shows at the Palexpo convention center next February and March, but reps from Skoda, Cupra and Porsche told Automobilwoche’s reporters that they had yet to make a concrete decision regarding attendance, though it was unlikely that they’d be there.

Geneva was always the best of the traditional European shows for a number of reasons. One, it was right next to the airport, and two, it was really compact, consisting of just two main halls next to each other, meaning you could see everything without walking miles backwards and forwards and keeling over and dying (no joke, it happened to one journalist at Frankfurt).

Related: Get A Look Inside The Canceled Geneva Motor Show And Its Depressing State

Automakers had already been cooling on motor shows in general before the pandemic, but the forced absence has made it harder for them to recover to full strength. As one senior marketing suit at a supercar company put it to me a few years back when explaining why it wasn’t going to appear at the doomed 2020 Geneva expo, “Why would I spend a million dollars to build a motor show stand when I could spend that money making a really cool viral video and push it out on social media?”

The reality is that car companies no longer need to be at motor shows to connect with people, and people no longer need to visit shows to see a car that will only be a static exhibit anyway. The shows that will survive and thrive are living, breathing spectacles like Goodwood that mix everything that was good about a trad auto show with the thrill of seeing and hearing (though now only sometimes…) some great cars in action.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean Geneva is doomed. Organizers are busy trying to entice China’s car companies to attend and since those same companies are desperate to establish themselves in the European market, they might be happy to fill the void left by the likes of BMW, Audi, Mercedes and VW.

Source: Automobilwoche, via Auto News

Entop Simurgh Is An Afghan “Supercar” With Le Mans Dreams And A…2004 Corolla Engine

Entop is back again with its Afghanastanian supercar, now rebranded as the Simurgh. The company’s CEO, Mohammad Reza Ahmadi, who also has the role of designer and chief engineer, unveiled the car at the 2023 Geneva International Auto Show’s Doha branch, making some bold claims.

While he didn’t disclose any information about specifications, power output, or performance targets, he did say that the team wants to race at Le Mans before selling the previously named Mada9 supercar to the public.

The startup popped up in the news at the beginning of this year when it announced the Mada9, what it called their prototype at the time, the world’s first Afghan supercar. Ahmadi had stated that the car would be ready in a mere two weeks but, once more, didn’t reveal any specific specifications. Eagle-eyed automotive enthusiasts noted that the Mada9 appeared to use the same Toyota 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine found in a 2004 Corolla sedan. However, Entop reportedly said that the engine had been modified.

More: The Top 5 Cars You Wish Were Real And Made It Into Production

Photos GIMS

Now, nearly 10 full months later, Ahmadi showed up at the capital of Quatar with no mention of the Mada9 and a car that looks identical but now features the name Simurgh. “I want to build something to put my country on the map again,” he said in an interview at the Doha show. “The Simurgh represents the heroes and art of Afghanistan.”

Don’t take Entop’s presence at the Doha branch of the Geneva Motor Show as lending toward its credibility though. According to Bloomberg, the hopeful automaker paid for the space and crowd-sourced the $130,000 in funds to make it there. Now, before announcing any sort of detail about its chassis, features, specifications, or production schedule, Ahmadi says his team wants to go racing at Le Mans.

He’s hoping to raise $43.2 million to finish the development of the Simurgh and enter it into the historic 24-hour race. “We plan to start sales after the Simurgh has been through Le Mans, where it can be tested and prove itself,” said Mr Ahmadi. While the likelihood of that happening appears to be incredibly slim, it certainly would be impressive.

As we mentioned in our first piece on Entop, the Mada9 and now the Simurgh both benefit from being real physical creations. That’s a lot more than one could say for the numerous companies that create renders in the hope of gathering funds before building a single car. Still, the fact that the Simurgh features an unfinished interior and questionable build quality has us wondering if it’s already peaked.

Lamborghini Is Heading To October’s Geneva Motor Show …In Qatar

Lamborghini has confirmed that it will have a presence at the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar running from October 5-14, around the same time as the Qatar Grand Prix.

Plans to spin off the famed Geneva International Motor Show were first announced in August 2021 in partnership with Qatar Tourism. The original plan was to hold events in both Geneva, Switzerland, and Doha, Qatar but this year’s event in Geneva was canceled, meaning it is only the twin show in Doha that will proceed.

Lamborghini chief executive Stephan Winkelmann confirmed to Autocar at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed that the Italian brand will exhibit at the event. Winkelmann noted that the Middle East is an important market for the car manufacturer and when asked about the value of the show, said “We will see, it is the first time [it has been held], so we must look at it.”

The report adds that all VW Group brands are expected to attend the show in Qatar. This is primarily because the investment arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Holding, owns a 14% share of the Volkswagen Group.

While Lamborghini will be at the show, Winkelmann noted the carmaker cannot make long-term commitments to events like these.

Read: Lamborghini Revuelto Sold Out For More Than Two Years

“We have to see year by year how [a show] develops and then make a decision,” he said. “These days, we never make long-term commitments on shows, because things are changing very fast. A lot are going down the drain and are not successful anymore, so if attendance is going down and there’s no press, there’s no need to go.”

Interestingly, Winkelmann noted that the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California is the most important auto event for the brand because of how many current and potential owners it attracts.

“For us, Pebble Beach is the biggest auto event in terms of importance,” he said. “All the types of people who are customers or could become customers go there. It’s growing in terms of presence from outside the US, and so it’s going to keep growing in importance.”