Beijing Auto Show 2024: the key cars revealed in China

► A quick look at the key cars being shown
► We’ll update this list when we get Wi-Fi…
► A huge show compared to Geneva

The 2024 Beijing motor show is here and, as you’d expect, it’s a bustling show full of many brands you’ve heard of – and many more you probably haven’t.

In contrast to the atrophied stands of the Geneva motor show, Beijing has seen a host new metal revealed, from the all-new electric G-Class to the new Volkswagen ID.CODE. On this page we’ve run through the key cars revealed in the Chinese capital.

Munich has toned down the 4-Series a little, with a range of updates designed to make it a touch more sophisticated and a little less shocking than it may have done at launch.

Alongside tweaks to the grille, there are two new colours – Cape York Green and Fire Red – as well as new rims on offer. Inside it’ll continue to use the same curved infotainment screen as the current model.

It’s a similar story for the i4 EV, too; Munich’s popular BEV gets a matt chrome or gloss grille surround, and there are also new ‘Laserlight’ headlights on the spec list. It gets the same new colours as the ICE car as well.

The era of the hybrid powertrain is well and truly upon us. Lamborghini has swapped out its Urus Performante Urus V8 for this, the Urus SE PHEV. It features a V8 engine and an electric motor that produce a combined 789bhp and 701lb ft power output, good for 62mph in 3.4 seconds (0.1sec quicker than a Urus S) and onto a top speed of 194mph.

Mercedes revealed a handful of new cars at the show, but the main event has to be the electric G-Class. Revealed in concept form a couple of years ago, but now finally shown in production guise, the new electric G-Class keeps the same ladder chassis as the ICE car, but powers it with four electric motors for a combined output of 579bhp.

Mercedes engineers have only managed to squeeze 300 miles from the electric G-Wagen’s 116kWh battery, mostly because it weighs three tonnes and has the same aerodynamic properties as a house brick. Don’t expect to get anywhere those figures when you’re trying tank turns or testing out the car’s sub-5.0 second 0-62mph sprint time, though.

One more thing, just don’t call it the EQ –