Shanghai Motor show 2025: Luxury saloons, electric supercars and Audi’s new sub-brand

Car manufacturers from all over the world have descended on the Shanghai Motor Show to debut their new cars and technology, and in 2025 there are plenty of new models to see. Here’s a roundup of the most exciting ones.

Denza Z

Denza is a new Chinese brand which is owned by BYD, and following the reveal of the UK-bound Z9 GT estate car it’s now revealed an electric supercar concept simply called the Z.

This low-slung two-door will provide a left-field alternative to something like the Maserati Gran Turismo Folgore, and it certainly looks the part. You can’t ignore that massive wing at the rear, and flared wheel arches make it look like it means business.

There’s no official word on power or performance figures for the Z just yet, but if the Z9 GT is anything to go by then it could get very close to 1,000hp. It’s also just a concept car for now, so don’t get your wallets out just yet.

New Lexus ES

Remember the Lexus ES? No? Well you’re not alone. It’s the Japanese brand’s forgotten alternative to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, and this new one is available with either hybrid or all-electric power.

It’s the first time the ES has been offered as an EV, and you can choose between single and dual-motor versions – the latter of which has 343hp. If you want the longest range though you’ll want the front-wheel drive car because it can do up to 426 miles on a charge.

The design is even more striking than the outgoing ES, with plenty of slashes and creases to help it stand out against its German alternatives. Step inside and you’re greeted by a much more modern-looking interior as well, with a minimalist design and large screens.

Mazda EZ-60

This is the new Mazda EZ-60, an all-electric SUV which provides an alternative to cars like the Skoda Enyaq and Tesla Model Y. It will go on sale in China this year – however UK sales are yet to be confirmed. It’s packing some all-new battery tech which gives it a claimed 372 miles of range,

There will also be a plug-in hybrid version which can manage around 100 miles on electric power alone, and can do 621 miles on a full tank of fuel and a fully charged battery. The EZ-60 also has some clever adaptive suspension to make it more fun to drive than other electric SUVs.

Volkswagen ID ERA, ID AURA and ID EVO

Volkswagen has revealed three new electric car concepts which are exclusive to China. The ID ERA is a large seven-seat SUV with a range-extending petrol engine – giving it a combined 621 miles of range. You can think of it as an alternative to both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia EV9, because it offers the electric range of an EV without the range anxiety.

Then there’s the ID EVO, a fully electric SUV which is around the same size as the Volkswagen ID4 and Skoda Enyaq. It’s a distant relative to those cars as well, because it’s based on something called the Volkswagen ID UNYX – which is essentially a Cupra Tavascan with a VW badge for the Chinese market. This means you can expect around 340hp and 385 miles of range.

Finally you have the Volkswagen ID AURA, which is similar in size and style to the ID7 we get in Europe. It’ll use an all-new collection of EV parts which are exclusive to China, although Volkswagen fell short of announcing any specs for this car. These concepts all look sleek and modern, so it’s a shame we’ll never see them in the UK.

Audi AUDI E5

This is the AUDI which isn’t an Audi. The German brand has launched a new marque specifically for the Chinese market which is simply called AUDI in all caps, and the E5 is the first model to be revealed.

It looks totally different to anything offered in Europe, with a blunt front end and clean lines. You also don’t get the four-ring logo on this car. The E5 gets dual electric motors with a combined 764hp, as well as a 100kWh battery which can deliver up to 435 miles of range.

Inside you get a clever AI-based infotainment system which comprises a selection of massive screens across the dashboard. It has facial recognition which can automatically set the seats and mirrors depending on who’s driving the car, and there’s an AI avatar which offers voice commands for various functions.

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