Volvo S80L: Longer, with More Chinese Characters!

Volvo released a China-only S80L version of its S80 sedan at the Guangzhou International Auto Show. Built in Chongqing as part of a Ford/Chang'an joint venture, the L model gains 14 centimeters in length over the standard issue S80. Back in the day, Volvo released its longer luxury versions under the "Executive" moniker, which totally sounds way more boss than just tacking on a measly little consonant. During the unveil, the guys manning the drums in back cranked out a bitchin' rock ballad to the amazement of all. Really. [AutoSohu]

BYD F0 Sport Unveiled At Guangzhou Auto Show

Leave it to Chinese automaker BYD to build a Toyota Aygo cheaper and cooler, as they've done with the release of the BYD F0 Sport. The F0 Sport comes equipped with such innovative additions of performance as red seat covers with pillows on them, a red shifter knob, and a sporty paint job over a mild body kit. The whole deal goes for $5,000 US, which, is a fair bit more than the Guangzhou International Auto Show committee spent on press room food. We don't mean to complain or anything, but were the fried grasshoppers really necessary? Sure they're good, but can't a Jalop get a hamburger around here? More »

Roewe Brings Modified 550s To Guangzhou

Taking a leaf out of their Western counterparts’ books, Roewe is showing off a group of badly modified Roewe 550s in an effort to get down with the young folk. Apparently, Chinese males between the ages of 18 and 34 find tacky modification as “groovy” as we do here in the states. We’re particularly impressed by the Liberace-esque gold lamé interior and hope it makes its way stateside when Roewe’s parent company Shanghai Auto buys the Not-So-Big Three. More »

The Chery Eastar Convertible Drops Four-Door Top At Guangzhou

When the four-door Chery Eastar Convertible first hit the net we weren't sure if it was a one-off custom or a hint to something to come. Now it seems that all of our greatest hopes have been realized as the same vehicle seems to be sitting on the floor of the Guangzhou International Auto Show. These closeup shots show off some interesting features, including the headrest-mounted television screens and the handlebar. Why would a car need a handlebar? The cherry Chery seems to have been designed for leaders, government or corporate, who like to wave to the proletariat from the back of a slowly moving convertible. More »

The Ford Verve Sedan Concept, Now In High-Resolution

Although Ford's new sedan version of the Verve concept's already been unveiled at the Guangzhou International Auto Show and we've already given you the press release and some low-res shots on the Sedan concept of the Ford Verve, we've just now noticed Ford's released some high-res shots showing off the big-hatch b-car from Ford. On the off chance the Euro side of the pond ends up winning the design competition currently underway at Ford between the 'merican "Bold Moves" and the European "Bold Mouths" — we figured you might like to see what we could be getting stateside. Without further ado — here's the hot shots galleried up for your pleasure below. More »

Guangzhou International Auto Show: GAG A-HEV Hybrid

The Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAG) revealed this A-HEV hybrid vehicle concept at the Guangzhou International Auto Show (no coincidence there), which could be an indicator of the design direction GAG intends to take. Currently, GAG reproduces Honda and Toyota models for domestic-only consumption. Like other Chinese carmakers, the company is being encouraged by the central government to develop original, Chinese-branded automobiles. And when the central government asks you to jump... More »

Guangzhou International Auto Show: Ford Reveals Verve Sedan Concept

The Guangzhou International Auto Show is a Fiesta for small cars from Ford, highlighted by the introduction of the Ford Verve Concept sedan (actually, a four-door notchback) to compliment the Verve Concept hatch shown at Frankfurt. This vehicles shows off the bold move Ford is making towards bold mouths globally, including the S-Max and new Mondeo. A gallery of the hacthback below, as well as the press release: More »

2008 Mazda2 Sedan Revealed

The new B-segment microcar for the brand all about Zoom-Zoom was just revealed at the 2007 Guangzhou International Auto Show in China. It's the new Mazda2 sedan and it'll be built by a partnership between Mazda, Ford and the Chinese automaker Changan Automobile Group. The joint venture has been given the kinda obvious, yet still a mouthful name Changan Ford Mazda Motors Limited. Although for the time being the Mazda2 sedan'll only be available in the Chinese market, it's what Mazda's calling a "global strategic model." Our bet is since we'd heard the Mazda2 would be the basis for a new Ford offering, this Chinese-built 98" wheelbase tiny car seems like it'll be fairly close to what we should be expecting from Ford come 2010 when they finally bring a B-segment car stateside. Oh and the dimensions? It's 168 inches long, 66.73 inches wide and 58.26 inches high. That's just a few inches longer, wider and taller than a '72 Datsun 240Z and approximately the same size as a Chevy Aveo — but with an exterior that's around ten times better looking. More »