2023 Shanghai motor show: The 5 most important reveals

The Shanghai motor show, known officially as Auto Shanghai, has been growing into one of the world's most important and influential events on the automotive calendar since it first opened in 1985.

Recent decades have seen deeper partnerships between legacy Western car brands and China's powerful car manufacturers – first to be allowed access to the increasingly wealthy Chinese domestic market, and more recently to take advantage of manufacturing capability and capacity for global export.

This year's show has seen significant reveals from China's popular Haval brand and the adopted MG marque (purchased by China in 2005), along with key debuts from Volkswagen, Polestar, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and more.

Here are the five that we reckon are the most interesting and important for Australian buyers.

JUMP AHEAD

1. Polestar 4
2. MG Cyberster
3. Porsche Cayenne
4. Lexus LM
5. Haval B07 PHEV

And a few more...

• Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV
• Hyundai i30 Sedan N facelift
• BMW i7 M70
• Volkswagen ID.7

1. Polestar 4

Coming to Australia? Early 2024

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The Polestar 4 is the Chinese-owned Volvo spinoff's third mass-production offering, joining the small Polestar 2 available in Australia now and the large Polestar 3 due here next year. Why is it called the 4? There's a Polestar 1, but it was a limited-production coupe.

Key figures: 400kW, 686Nm, 3.8 seconds to 100km/h, 600km driving range and similar dimensions to the Polestar 3. Australian launch confirmed, due sometime in early 2024. Local pricing likely to be upwards of $100,000.

2. MG Cyberster

Coming to Australia? Yes, but timing not confirmed

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This is a turn up for the books. Not only has the now Chinese-owned MG brand finally got a new roadster on the way, but it's also gorgeous – and hugely powerful, thanks to an all-electric architecture.

The best part, and perhaps surprising if not for the fact MG has proven it's keen to dominate every market it plays in, is that it'll come to Australia.

3. Porsche Cayenne

Coming to Australia? Of course.

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Unveiled in Shanghai today, the facelifted Cayenne gets a Taycan-inspired headlight redesign, and a significantly overhauled cabin.

There are some key spec changes too, Porsche calling it "one of the most extensive product upgrades in the history of Porsche".

No surprises, the facelifted Cayenne is bound for Australia – and Porsche has already given out all the local pricing and details. Get it at the link below.

4. Lexus LM

Coming to Australia? Perhaps unexpectedly, but yes!

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Lexus is about to launch its first people-mover in Australia, in the form of the second-generation Lexus LM.

Like the previous model, the new LM is based on the Toyota Alphard, which will be unveiled in its new-generation form in the near future.

The Alphard has been a popular model for grey-market importers to bring to Australia, so the LM could prove a handy niche offering to take on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class.

In Australia, the LM will be offered in a two-row, four-seat VIP format, or a three-row setup with six or seven seats in Australia.

5. Haval B07 PHEV

Coming to Australia? Not confirmed, but likely a successor to the H6

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Known as the Xiaolong Max in China, the B07 (probably not a name it'd wear in Australia) is a new midsized SUV with a plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) powertrain and space to rival popular models like the new Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander.

A spokesperson for GWM Australia told Wheels that, although the B07 is another new medium SUV from Haval, it’s not yet confirmed as the H6’s successor. The B07 will go on sale next month in China, with an Australian release still under consideration.

What else?a

Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV

Coming to Australia? Mid 2024.

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Introducing the first-ever electric Maybach, the EQS 680 SUV. Its key numbers include 484kW, 950Nm, and a circa-600km driving range.

An especially niche model for Australian buyers (thus not in the top-5 above), the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV is expected to arrive in mid-2024.

As you can imagine, the Maybach EQS SUV is as luxurious as a car gets, and you can read all about it at the link below.

Hyundai i30 Sedan N facelift

Coming to Australia? Late 2023

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Following the earlier reveal of the facelifted i30 Sedan in its regular guise (still known overseas as the Elantra), the new-look i30 Sedan N debuted in Shanghai this week.

Reshaped headlights and a slimmer grille are the standout design changes, along with new wheels and a more prominent rear valance with red highlights.

Mechanical changes? Nope, or at least, Hyundai isn't saying yet.

Get all the details at the links below.

BMW i7 M70

Coming to Australia? Late 2023

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The i7 M70 is BMW’s most powerful sedan ever, its electric motors and huge battery pack delivering 485kW and 1100Nm.

Get all the details at the links below.

Volkswagen ID.7

Coming to Australia? Nope.

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There are a number of Volkswagen's electric ID models coming to Australia over the next couple of years, but this sleek new ID.7 won't be among them. At least, not anytime soon: the brand hasn't specifically ruled it out, but it has said it's not planned for Australia "at this point".

“Volkswagen Australia is planning for several new electric vehicles to follow the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo. At this point, the ID.7 is not for our market as our focus will be on our electric SUV range,” said a spokesperson for the brand.

Watch for more Shanghai reveals to be published this week.

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