Additional-large and really shiny motor reveals are alive and properly in China, if the biennial Beijing Auto Present is any information (test again on our visits in 2010 and 2012). The nineteenth version befell from 24 April to 23 Might and broke a brand new world report by taking up an exhibition house of 380,000 sq m – maybe acceptable to replicate a car market that has lengthy been the globe’s greatest gross sales area and is now arguably probably the most technologically superior.
The sheer scale of the Beijing Auto Present
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
Inside two enormous buildings and 17 halls, there have been 1,451 automobiles – together with 71 idea automobiles – and virtually 1,000 exhibitors got here to arrange store and switch the dial to eleven.
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
Taking almost half an hour to stroll from one finish of the present to the opposite, Wallpaper* confesses it didn’t handle to attend the entire roughly 180 press conferences on the mobbed principal press day however did handle to seize a number of the key unveils – and enhance our common step-count significantly.
Audi A6L e-tron, R26 F1 automotive and AUDI E7X
(Picture credit score: Beijing Auto China 2026)
The largest stands and loudest fanfare in 2026 had been made by home Chinese language manufacturers – together with BYD, BAIC, Chery, Geely, Li Auto, Nio and Xpeng – however many Western, Korean and Japanese manufacturers had been additionally in attendance with key unveils of their very own.
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
Each type of car typology was on show, from the refreshingly small and funky new two-seater Sensible idea, to dozens of svelte electrical saloons and sports activities automobiles, plug-in hybrid crossovers of each dimension and badge and a whole bunch of barely totally different takes on the rugged off-roader format, in numerous ranges of homage to a Mercedes G-Wagen, Land Rover Defender or Jeep Wrangler.
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
Amongst this overwhelming ‘more-is-more’ collective product offensive there was a smattering of shining stars. Learn on for the 2026 Beijing Auto Present High Ten.
Hyundai Ioniq V
(Picture credit score: Beijing Auto China 2026)
Already wowed by the hunkered-down Hyundai Venus idea revealed just some weeks prior, most showgoers had been shocked to see the South Korean stalwart launch a production-ready model very shut in character and proportion to the saloon idea – referred to as the Ioniq V – on the 2026 Beijing Auto Present.
(Picture credit score: Beijing Auto China 2026)
The low-slung consequence, with its slimline lights and bonnet-merging-into-windscreen-at-the-same-angle is gorgeous within the flesh and whereas not fully authentic within the historical past of automotive design, does stand other than the present China market crowd, the place it would relaunch the Hyundai model earlier than hopefully being exported worldwide as an inexpensive and linked EV and prolonged vary electrical car (EREV).
(Picture credit score: Beijing Auto China 2026)
It’s a part of Hyundai’s ‘Lead not Observe’ design method and a calculated threat on the planet’s greatest market, however one CEO Jose Munoz is ready to take, as he mentioned on stage in Beijing: ‘China is the place the way forward for mobility is being outlined, and Hyundai intends to assist outline it, in China, for China, and in the end, for the world.’
HyundaiMotorGroup.com
Sensible #2 Idea
Kai Sieber, head of design at Sensible, with the #2
(Picture credit score: Beijing Auto China 2026)
The Sensible model’s authentic purpose for being has appeared just like the distant previous for a while. To recap, it was launched as a extremely environment friendly metropolis automotive, with room for 2 seats and baggage, that was so small – 2.5 m lengthy x 1.5m huge – that two might nestle nostril to the kerb with out their backsides protruding into visitors in an area the place different drivers might solely parallel-park one. However with the #2 unveiled on the Beijing present, that ethos is again.
(Picture credit score: Beijing Auto China 2026)
The idea isn’t fairly as diminutive as the unique – it’s slightly longer, at 2.79m, and rather a lot wider, at 1.9m – however the proportions are chunkily in line with the purposeful aesthetic of the primary one, with neat particulars all through and, better of all, a fully-electric manufacturing mannequin will observe on the 2026 Paris Motor Present in October. After many years of Sensible making larger and extra bloated fashions, it’s a breath of contemporary (and really cool) air.
UK.good.com
iCar Robox Idea
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
The Chery Group sprouts new manufacturers like a well-watered rose bush does flowers proper now and iCar is one in every of its newer. Established as a standalone EV marque in 2023 (and also called iCaur to stave off Apple’s authorized eagles), the corporate began by launching likeable however spinoff off-road automobiles just like the V23 in 2024.
However the 2026 Robox idea proven at Beijing seems like a step ahead in originality with its mixture of sloping windscreen and bonnet, extra related to aero-inspired saloons and coupés, unusually paired with a jacked-up physique and 4×4 design cues. Presently on sale in chosen Asian markets, iCar is one other Chery model that would quickly come to the UK and Europe, the place it would be part of profitable stablemates Jaecoo and Omoda.
@iCaur_international
BYD Ocean-V Idea
BYD Ocean-V Idea render
(Picture credit score: Beijing Auto China 2026)
Construct Your Goals, higher generally known as BYD, has been an early export trailblazer inside the main home Chinese language manufacturers, and its automobiles at the moment are a well-known sight throughout Europe. Much less acquainted, for now, is the Ocean-V idea, which BYD’s PR says, ‘refuses to fall into the standard classes of sedan, SUV or MPV’.
BYD Ocean-V Idea inside
(Picture credit score: Alex Ingram)
Because the assertion alludes, the Ocean-V takes inspiration from many automobiles and mixes them up pleasingly with three inside modes – Driving, Cinema and Tenting – made attainable by versatile seating and novel particulars together with jellyfish-shaped audio system that magnetically connect to many elements of the automotive for a extra personalised expertise. Extra of this please.
@BYD_global
AUDI E7X
(Picture credit score: AUDI)
Audi in China presently has two faces and identities: one vary sporting the well-known 4 rings emblem identified worldwide and one with simply 4 letters – AUDI in all caps – as an EV sub-brand particularly aimed toward youthful Chinese language prospects.
It’s an odd mixture to accommodate on one stand, however on the Beijing Auto Present that’s precisely what occurred. Of the 2 approaches, the newer ‘no rings’ AUDI model appears the extra coherent, as showcased by the E7X SUV unveiled for the primary time and the ES Sportback.
AudiChina.cn
Peugeot Idea 6
Peugeot Idea 6 and Idea 8
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
Peugeot can be a Western model trying to reboot its Chinese language presence by the use of its three way partnership with native companion Dongfeng. The French marque unveiled two convincing EV ideas: a capturing brake four-door referred to as 6 and a taller SUV named 8 – plus the superb however extra far-out Polygon idea first revealed in December 2025. Of the 2 near-production ideas, the trendy 6 is most up our avenue and each are slated for manufacturing with out too many modifications, China first different markets to observe.
Peugeot.co.uk
Geely Eva Cab Idea
Geely Eva Cab Idea robotaxi
(Picture credit score: Beijing Auto China 2026)
There have been lots of robots in Beijing. Chery even has its personal sub-brand for robotic merchandise referred to as AiMoga and the current Beijing E-City Humanoid Robotic Half-Marathon red-chested champ – generally known as ‘Lighting’, developed by smartphone firm Honor – was additionally seen scuttling by the halls on press day.
Geely’s Eva Cab and robotic companion
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
Geely went a step additional by deciding to point out a robotaxi referred to as the Eva Cab, full with its personal robotic. Regardless of its little doubt Twenty first-century skills, the automotive’s exterior design had a robust whiff of Eighties space-age aesthetics (notably these wheels).
World.Geely.com
Hyundai Earth Idea
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
One other shiny Hyundai car particularly angled for the Chinese language market and proven in Beijing was the Earth Idea. Ruggedly faceted on the surface and sporting fascinating see-through blow-up seat bolsters on the within it appears prepared for a critically futuristic sci-fi journey.
The inside of the Hyundai Earth Idea
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
The corporate suggests the mannequin may very well be production-bound for China, maybe in very comparable type to this idea. Right here’s hoping.
HyundaiMotorGroup.com
Buick Electra Zenith Idea
Buick Electra Zenith idea
(Picture credit score: Toby Clarke)
US model Buick has had a robust affinity with Chinese language prospects for a lot of many years on account of lengthy reminiscences of previous Chinese language leaders as soon as rolling round in snazzy variations way back to the Twenties and early Nineteen Thirties. And China continues to be Buick’s greatest market, so it made sense to point out its newest totally future-facing and autonomy-inspired Electra Zenith idea in Beijing the place bodywork and facet glass color merge into one uninterrupted and convincing form.
GM.com.cn
Geely Galaxy Gentle Gen II Idea
Geely Galaxy Gentle Gen II
(Picture credit score: Man Hen)
The second-generation Galaxy Gentle saloon might have been one of the vital conventionally proportioned ideas proven in Beijing, however its detailing and execution had been extremely achieved, nonetheless. The broader Geely Group has lengthy owned Western manufacturers together with Volvo, Lotus and Polestar however now its particular Geely model is searching for the next profile, clearer id and bold gross sales because it launches in abroad markets. One to observe.
World.Geely.com
Supply: Wallpaper
