China's Gleaming Automotive Future, Teased at Guangzhou Auto Show

1. The Buick Velite Concept Hybrid

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

GM-owned Buick sells about four times as many cars in China as it does in the U.S., so the brand made several moves at Guangzhou. Here, it debuted the Velite, a concept vehicle with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. According to Buick, the theoretical car would have several ways of connecting to the internet, as well as a potential self-driving option for low speeds. Buick hopes to launch several electric vehicles in the region in the coming years. 

2. Buick Velite Concept Hybrid Detail

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

Buick also hoped to show off some of its new design language with the Velite, such as its use of flowing lines and a slimmer waterfall grill, plus sinuous LED headlights. 

3. Trumpchi Enlight Concept Vehicle

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

Chinese-based Trumpchi debuted its first sedan in 2010 and launched an SUV in 2012. This supercar concept is all-electric, with gull-wing doors and a four-wheel-drive drivetrain. Not much is known about plans for the engine, but the carbon-fiber body and futuristic lines speak to the future of the brand's design plans. 

4. Trumpchi Enlight Concept Vehicle Interior

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

Trumpchi is owned by Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Here, the opened doors reveal ergonomic seats that will transform according to the body type and height of a driver.

5. The WEY WO2

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

WEY is a new preminum brand from China's best seller of SUVs, Great Wall Motor Co. This luxury SUV, the WO2, will retail for from 150,000 to 200,000 yuan ($22,000 to $29,000) and should be available in late 2017.

6. The WEY W01 Charging

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

The WEY W01 ERD will be a fully electric SUV. Electric cars are a rapidly growing segment of China's market. 

7. The BMW 125i Sedan

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

BMW previewed a new 1-series compact sedan at Guangzhou, which will be available only in China, starting in the first half of 2017. The 125i sedan, pictured here, has a 231-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The brand says there will also be a 136-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-3 option and a 192-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 version. Six-speed manual transmission will come standard, with an eight-speed automatic upgrade option. 

8. BMW 125i Sedan Interior

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

The interior of the 1-series sedans will feature BMW's signature infotainment system, operated by a turning wheel at the passenger's side. 

9. The Nissan GT-R

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

Japanese-based Nissan used Guangzhou as an opportunity to showcase its GT-R sports car. This car can hit 60 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds, which is faster than a much-more expensive Porsche 911 Turbo, and it boasts a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine.

10. Volvo S90 Excellence Sedan

Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

Volvo's S90 Excellence Long Wheelbase Sedan will be made in China and largely target customers there. The three-passenger sedan will use Volvo's T8 twin-engine plug-in hybrid powertrain.