Salone di Shanghai 2025, le novità e i trend dal più importante salone dell’auto

Innovation

Shanghai Motor Show, Geely's new brands. A new hybrid from Horse (Renault)

The number of brands is increasing as well as associating not only Chinese but also Western brands. With Renault, the agreement signed is for the industrial giant Horse Powertrain

by Corrado Canali

25 April 2025

4' min read

Key points

How to switch from electric to thermal and vice versa
Geely debuted the Galaxy Battleship SUV
Zeekr 009, the brand's first hybrid model
Volvo, public debut of the XC90 plug-in
Lotus at the Shanghai show with two super electrics
Smart exhibits the #5 in public as a Brabus version

4' min read

At the Shanghai Motor Show, the Geely Group's brands presented important new products. Including the joint venture signed with Horse Powertrain that unveiled the Future Hybrid Concept. The Geely Group, whose official name is Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, is China's largest manufacturer run by a private individual, founder Li Shufu, who started operations in 1986, but since 1997 has dedicated itself solely to cars with the acquisition of Chinese, as well as Western, brands: Smart, Lotus and Volvo.

How to switch from electric to thermal and vice versa

Horse Powertrain, presented in Shanghai a kind of retrofit to hybridise electric platforms. A proposal that is in fact the reverse of what is usually offered to electrify cars with endothermic engines. The system, which is called the Future Hybrid Concept, consists of a compact powertrain for electric cars that transforms into hybrid variants, with minimal changes to the platform.

It consists of a single unit that integrates both the combustion engine, electric motor and transmission, and is also compatible with different types of fuel, namely petrol, biofuels and even synthetics. The new powertrain also represents a significant change in production processes. By bringing together complex components into a single unit, much of the tooling as well as assembly steps are eliminated, leading to significant resource savings and a much reduced weight of the cars.

Geely debuted the Galaxy Battleship suv

At the Shanghai Motor Show, the Auto division of the Geely Group unveiled its new Galaxy Battleship boxy SUV. The Chinese manufacturer has positioned it as a technologically advanced high-wheel-drive model that is not only equipped with intelligent all-wheel drive and available with the ever-present artificial intelligence, but can also climb mountains and ford the sea. The fording depth, in fact, reaches 800 mm. In addition, it will be equipped with a satellite communication system for all eventualities.

Zeekr 009, the brand's first hybrid model

The Zeekr 009 will be launched in the third quarter of this year, as the Chinese brand's first hybrid model. The car is expected to be priced from 1 million yuan. The 22-inch mirror-forged wheels have been hand-polished for 30 hours, which enhances its refined appearance. In terms of power, the new car is equipped with Zeekr's super hybrid technology and adopts a 900V high-voltage platform. The 2.0T engine offers 205 kilowatts and has a thermal efficiency of 46 per cent. The power output of the front and rear engines is 290 and 370 kilowatts respectively.

The range in electric mode is 380 km. Furthermore, the time for charging from 20 to 80 per cent is 9 minutes.

Volvo, XC90 plug-in debuts in public

At the Shanghai Auto 2025 Volvo presented the new XC90. This is the first public appearance of the car since its launch. Aesthetically, the body lines of the new XC90 echo the styling language. The air intake grille adopts an oblique grille design. The Thor's Hammer headlamps on both sides have been modified and linked to the grille. The car is enhanced with a new three-spoke steering wheel and an all-new One HMI intelligent cockpit as well as a central screen replaced with a larger 11.2-inch floating screen. As far as power is concerned, the XC90 offers a petrol version with a 2.0T engine and a 48-volt hybrid system for an output of 250 hp. Then there is a plug-in variant with a 2.0T engine for a power output of 455 hp and a range in electric mode of over 70 km.

Lotus at the Shanghai show with two super electrics

Lotus Sports Cars exhibited two sports cars, the Evija and Theory 1, in Shanghai. The Evija is in fact the brand's first electric supercar, while the Theory 1 represents the car of the future. The Chinese price of the Evija is 21.88 million yuan and 130 units will be produced.

Also available is a limited edition of eight Evija Fittipaldi units, priced at 26.88 million yuan. The supercar's power output is 2,000 hp with a torque of 1,700 Nm. It also adopts an electric four-wheel drive system with a maximum output of 2,000 hp (1470 kilowatts) and torque of 1,700 Nm. Finally, it is credited with a top speed of 320 km/h. As for the Theory 1, the power output is 1,000 hp plus the system that activates all-wheel drive. Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h is around 2.5 seconds, while the top speed is 322 km/h.

Smart publicly displays the #5 in Brabus version

The Smart brand unveiled its latest model at the Chinese show, the #5 Brabus, which represents yet another collaboration between the Smart brand and the European coachbuilder. In addition to distinctive styling, the car adds a sporty design as well as bold driving dynamics. The suv, which like all Smart cars is 100% electric, is designed for an audience of driving enthusiasts who want to stand out. Inside, the cabin is finished with premium materials that are combined with handcrafted details, demonstrating maniacal care. But it is on the road that the Smart #5 Brabus is at its best: with a power output of 475 kW and a maximum torque of an impressive 710 Nm, it guarantees a true sports car driving experience. The range is up to 540 km and recharging from 10 to 80 per cent takes 18 minutes, thanks to the use of the 800-volt platform.