About China's Coolest Cars
We have discussed the Shuanghuan Noble several times on this website. The Noble was a Smart-inspired mini car that got Shuanghuan in all sorts of legal trouble internationally, but in China it sold rather well. The Noble debuted in 2007 and was available with 0.8 and 1.1 liter petrol engine. But in 2010, Shuanghuan also unveiled an electric version of the Noble on a car show in Beijing. Continue reading “The Shuanghuan Noble EV Was A Nice Idea”
And that day in 2010 I went to a new-energy show in Beijing. Local hero Beijing Auto Industry Corporation (BAIC) had a big booth on the show with all sorts of Beijing-branded concept cars including two EVs.
BAIC was on a roll those days. They had just purchased the rights to the Saab 9-5 and Saab 9-3 from General Motors, including the 2.0 and 2.3 turbo engines. The Beijing C71 was a concept car based on the Saab 9-5. It got a modernized new front, a new rear, new badges, and new wheels.