Russian Market: Beijing Alien Street Market (老番街市场)

One of Beijing’s most pleasant markets: sellers are polite, prices are fair, and the selection defies our powers of description. Since they cater to Russian shuttle traders, the stalls here generally carry more ample sizes – notably for bras, stockings and pants. Particularly worthy of attention are the coats, pants, and belts. They also have accessories galore, and random stuff like toilet fixtures or swords. You’ll also find tea, shoes, toys, camping gear, spy equipment and electronics. Definitely haggle.

Alien’s Street Market / Russian Market

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This market has only two floors so to compensate for that the stalls are filled to the brim with products. The selection of things are wider than some of the tourist markets but be aware of an equally wide range of quality difference.

On the ground floor you will find jewelry, makeup, shoes, handbags, suitcases, toys, ties, digital cameras, mobile phones, silk items, binoculars etc. Upstairs you will find a good selection of clothes, from leather jackets to stockings and everything in between.

Atmosphere and sellers
The market and the surrounding neighborhood is home to Russian traders and tourists so all sellers know at least a couple of Russian phrases.

Bargaining is a must but the sellers are polite, opposite to places like Silk Market.

Alien Street Market 老番街市场

Opening hours
Daily 09:30 – 19:00
Subway
Line: 2
Station: Chaoyangmen (preferably exit B), approximately 8 minutes walk to Alien’s Street Market / Russian Market.
Address
老番街市场
朝阳区怡景园北里3号
Chaoyang district
Yijing yuan beili 3

Yabaolu (Chinese: 雅宝路; pinyin: yǎbǎolù, Yabao Road) is a street and area in Beijing, China, running from Chaoyangmenwai to Jianguomenwai. The south part of Yabaolu is home to Beijing Children’s Hospital. On the west side of Yabaolu lies Ritan Park.

As of 2011 the community has many high rise shopping malls and shops, is a major hub of trade. Previously it was a community of one story courtyards with little activity.

Yabaolu, “elegant treasure road,” is one of the many Old Beijing place names to have been beautified. The original name was yaba hutong, “Mute-man’s Alley,”

Yabaolu markets
The northern area of Yabaolu is sometimes unofficially named Russiatown, or Russian Market, since the clientele of the shops is mostly foreign, with most of that being Russian, and because the neighbourhood has a high population of Russian traders from Siberia, who are transient. Previously local Chinese people called the traders “da daoye,” (S: 大倒爷, T: 大倒爺, P: dàdǎoyé “big trader”) while as of 2011 they now refer to them as “hao pengyou” (好朋友 hǎopéngyou “good friend”). In addition to Russian traders, Polish, Ukrainian, former Yugoslav, Vietnamese and other eastern European traders also do business in Yabaolu. Jaime FlorCruz of CNN said in 2011 that “Here bargaining is tough but business is good. The most successful, traders say, can resell their items for 20 times their investment.”

The China-Russia-related trade in Beijing occurs in Yabaolu. Most of the businesses in Yabaolu cater to Russian customers. Many restaurant owners and shop keepers do business in Yabaolu. Some pedicab drivers speak pidgin Russian and charge the equivalent of two U.S. dollars for a ride. Like many ethnic enclaves, it has its own unique culture imported by its residents. The focal point of the district are several large clothing markets. Business signs are mostly in Russian and written in Cyrillic, a surprise to many tourists. For a former Russian area in Beijing, see Li-Fan Yuan.

FlorCruz said that around 1991 “loaded up scores boxes of goods — mostly cheap clothes — onto decrepit trailer trucks bound for train stations” while in 2011 traders “employ shipping companies to move various goods that include silk dresses and shirts, fur jackets, toys and handbags.”

After the Beijing Olympics several large modern shopping centres, such as Chaowai-Men, You-Town, have been developed – some to cater more to retail shoppers than wholesale traders.

References in popular culture
Appears and is described in the book Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China’s Past and Present by Peter Hessler. Peter has a friend named Polat occupied as a money changer and clothing dealer. They sit on a platform of an Uighur restaurant drinking beers and watching locals pass by.

>photo>s***o60>Beijing_Yabaolu_Laofanjie

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Hyundai Blue2 Sedan Concept and Hyundai Curb Crossover Concept at Beijing Motor Show (北京国际汽车展览会)

Hyundai was out in full force at the Beijing Motor Show with a host of new offerings. One concept that the Korean automaker brought was the Blue2 Sedan Concept, a car that the Korean automaker is pegging as the next generation FCEV sedan.

2012 Hyundai Blue2 Sedan Concept

Hyundai Blue2 Sedan Concept ( 2012 Beijing Auto Show ), photo by SondAuto For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

The car bears the codename HND-6 and is being touted as Hyundai’s very first Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle that’s powered by hydrogen and is capable of delivering 90kW – around 120 horsepower – and estimated fuel economy figures reaching an impressive 82 miles per gallon.

Aesthetically speaking, the Blue2 Sedan Concept has an exterior whose design language is being described as ‘Intersected Flow’ with other external features complementing the contoured form of the car, including the LCD screen panels on both the front and back, side cameras in place of the standard side mirrors, a roof camera, and automatic opening doors.

Inside, the Blue2 Concept features an asymmetrical dashboard, wider seats to make room for a spacious interior cabin, and a couple of out-of-this-world features, including what the company is describing as a Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) monitor that has been officially christened the Gorilla Glass. This monitor appears more accurate and vivid compared to standard LED screens. Another unique feature is the Motion Sensor Moustick, a haptic wheel and motion sensor that respond to the driver’s touch and hand movements, giving drivers a new experience.

Beijing International Automotive Exhibition or Auto China (北京国际汽车展览会) is an auto show held biennially in Beijing, China since 1990. It has now become one of four top auto shows in the world along with Frankfurt (Frankfurt Motor Show), New Delhi (Auto Expo) and Detroit (North American International Auto Show). China is currently the largest and fastest growing auto market in the world.

Hyundai presented the world debut of the Hyundai Curb concept vehicle during a press conference at the Detroit International Auto Show. Curb is a compact Urban Activity Vehicle (UAV) for the next generation of Hyundai buyers. Curb is also a test bed for future Hyundai Blue Link and vehicle connectivity technology.

Hyundai Curb Crossover Concept Debuts at Beijing Auto Show

The inspiration for Curb came from the need to evolve Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language for younger buyers. Hyundai designers wanted to create a vehicle loaded with technology that was at home in an urban environment with potholes and densely packed nightclubs on the streets. The vehicle needed to secure the advanced Blue Link and connectivity features against impact and shock. From these ideas, the ‘technology rugged’ design direction for Curb was formed.

Hyundai Curb Crossover Concept ( 2012 Beijing Auto Show ), photo by SondAuto For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

“We wanted the Curb to be urban tough without looking like a Brink’s truck,” said Jason Brown, Hyundai designer. “City driving was going to be its forte, not crossing the Rubicon trail, but we wanted it to have urban armor for daily driving on city streets. It needed to empower its passengers in this setting.”

Exterior Design

The Curb’s design starts with the glass that spills into the hood and wraps around the cowl, covering the A pillars. This look resembles the face shield of a sport bike motorcycle helmet. Beneath the glass are structural trusses with the glass panels applied like a shield.

“The truss frame structure going up the pillars helps increase greater visibility in dense urban environments,” said John Krsteski, Curb design manager.

The striking profile is dominated by a boomerang trajectory bodyside line. This dominant line brings the entire design together and reinforces the feeling of strength with its positive and negative shapes.

“The world has never seen lines like this on a car before. It is as if the architect Santiago Calatrava inspired it,” said Arash Badeanlou, Hyundai designer.

The thin, sleek headlamps and taillamps dive into the vehicle, creating the illusion that they are connected into the engine compartment or interior. To complete the ‘technology rugged’ look, designers added 22-inch five spoke wheels and Michelin tires with a custom saffron colored tread pattern to match the interior. These wheels have spokes set into the tires to make them have a more pronounced profile. To enter the Curb, one simply drags their finger across a touch pad to open the doors.

The exhaust vents serve a dual purpose. They pop out to reveal a bike rack so the owner could park and ride a “Fixie” (fixed gear) bike to the rest of his destinations as an alternative transportation source. The roof also features pop-up roof rack towers, demonstrating the perfect blend of being rugged, yet high-tech. Curb has a lighted clam shell rear hatch, also opened via a touchpad for loading gear and a third rear access door for easy passenger ingress and egress.

At startup, the Curb’s numerous LED lights illuminate sequentially, starting with the outside rows and the Curb’s badging illuminates through the paint. Shamze Custom Coatings developed the One-Way paint finish allowing the Curb name to illuminate through the paint.

Specifications
Key: AT – automatic transmission, MT – manual transmission, F/R/AWD – front/rear/all wheel drive
Powertrain
Type I4, Turbocharged
Displacement 97 cu in (1591 cc)
Power 175 hp @ n/a RPM
Torque 169 lb-ft @ n/a RPM
Redline n/a
Driveline n/a
Transmission 6 Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
Brakes & Tires
Brakes Front – Rear n/a
Tire Size Front – Rear R22
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length 164.2 in
Width 70.9 in
Height 63 in
Curb Weight 2800 lbs
Performance
0-60 n/a
1/4 Mile n/a
60-0 Braking n/a
Top Speed n/a
Fuel Economy
EPA Fuel Mileage – City/Highway 30/40 mpg
Origin & Price
Origin South Korea
Base Retail Price (MSRP) n/a

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Beijing Dongyue Temple (北京东岳庙)

Built in 1319 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Beijing Dongyue Temple, a Daoist temple, is located in Chaowai area, Chaoyang District. This ancient temple is one of the largest temples of Taoism in northern China. It is the shrine of the God of Mount Tai (one of the Five Great Mountains in China). Having stood for almost 700 years, this temple is considered a perfect example of magnificence and grandeur. Its long history demonstrates its value, especially as the Beijing Folklore Museum is also located within the temple complex. Nowadays, it is protected as a National Key Cultural Relics Unit. The cultural relics of Yuan Dynasty displayed in this museum are greatly appreciated by visitors.

Beijing Dongyue Temple

Beijing Dongyue Temple, photo by SondAuto For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

Location
The address of the temple is Dongyue Miao, 141 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing (东岳庙朝阳门外大街141号). It is located about 500 meters east of the Chaoyangmen subway station.

With an area of 11.7 acres (4.7 hectares), Dongyue Temple mainly contains three courtyards. The main buildings were erected on a traditional north-south axis. The secondary buildings are equally distributed east and west of this axis. The purpose of the east side is mainly for living. This area is just like a big-scale garden with abundant flowers and fruit trees. The west side of the temple consists of several small courtyards. Most of them were built with the financial support of local people. The whole temple has almost 400 rooms which were mainly built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). During the construction, craftsmen of Qing Dynasty followed traditional architectural style and skills of Yuan Dynasty. Hence, visitors can see the best-preserved rooms with typical Yuan Dynasty architectural style.

Built in 1602, a yellow glazed archway is located opposite the main gate of the temple across Chaowai Street. There is a glowing red pearl in the middle of the top of the archway. On the north and south sides of the top, there are two stone tablets with a length of 9 feet (2.8 meters) and a width of 3 feet (0.9 meters). One is engraved with “Forever Prosperity of the Empire”; the other one is engraved with “Worship Mount Tai”. These two tablets express a good will for social welfare and national greatness. There was a gate to the north of this archway. However, it was dismantled in 1988 because the government tried to broaden the Chaowai Street. On the north side of the street stands Lingxing Gate, the main gate of the temple, with a bell tower on the left and a drum tower on the right. Under the roof of the gate, there is a horizontal tablet bearing the name “Dongyue Temple” that was written by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.

Entering the main gate, is Zhandai Gate (also Dragon Tiger Gate), meaning the Gate of Viewing Mt. Tai. This magnificent archway with a hip roof has three entrances in the central hallway, and two side rooms enshrining two door-gods and ten imperial guards of Mt. Tai.

A royal path named “Happiness Road” extends north through the courtyard behind the gate. There are two stone tablet pavilions on both sides of the path, showing two memorials of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty. There are also many stone steles with calligraphic masterpieces of ancient Chinese celebrities in the yard. About 140 stone steles dating from Yuan, Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties once stood in this temple. Nowadays, 90 steles remain there. On the east and the west of the yard, are two long galleries containing 76 small rooms with vivid clay sculptures. They represent the 76 departments in hell under the jurisdiction of the God of Mt. Tai.

On the north end of the “Happiness Road” lies Mount Tai Palace, the main palace of the temple. It consists of a central hall and two wing halls on east and west. The pillars and roofs are decorated with gold dragons and exquisite paintings. On the top of the central hall, there is a plaque of Mount Tai Palace which was written by Kangxi Emperor. All around this plaque is decorated with exquisite gold-made patterns of leaves and flowers. The central hall is dedicated to a large statue of the God of Mount Tai accompanied by some courtiers. To the east are the Hall of Wealth and East Prince Hall. To the west are the Hall of Childbirth and the Prince Hall. Each hall has rare cultural relics of Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

Passing through Mount Tai Palace, there is the living palace called “Yu De”. It was dedicated to the statues of God and Goddess of Mount Tai. Nowadays, this living palace is used to display the Nanmu wooden sculptures of some Taoist deities.

In the northernmost part of this temple is a two-storey palace. Nowadays, it has become the Beijing Folklore Museum. Opened to the public in 1997, this museum contains 9 permanent halls and 4 independent exhibition halls. The exhibitions mostly contain well-preserved cultural relics, such as ancient Chinese clothes, traditional handicrafts and folk heritages.

Every year, during spring and mid-autumn festivals, temple fairs and many other folk activities are held in the temple. Local people and tourists are always attracted by carved artworks and many other folk handicrafts.

Admission Fee: The east entrance: CNY 10
Opening Time: 08:30-16:30 (from Tuesday to Sunday)
Transportation:
1. Take subway line 2 or line 6, get off at Chaoyangmen Station, get out from Exit A, and walk east about 660 yards (600 meters) to find this temple.
2. Take subway line 6, get off at East Bridge Station, get out from Exit A, and walk west about 660 yards (600 meters) to find the temple.
3. Take public buses 75, 101, 109, 110, 112, or 202; get off at Shenlu Street Station.

Temple courtyard

The Beijing Dongyue Temple (simplified Chinese: 北京东岳庙; traditional Chinese: 北京東嶽廟; pinyin: Běijīng Dōngyuè Miào; literally: “Beijing Eastern Peak Temple”) is a Daoist (Taoist) temple in the Chaowai area, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China. The temple is dedicated to the God of Mount Tai (simplified Chinese: 东岳大帝; traditional Chinese: 東嶽大帝; pinyin: Dōngyuè Dàdì). “Dongyue” (Chinese: 东岳; pinyin: Dōngyuè; literally: “Eastern Peak”) is a synonym for Mount Tai, the easternmost and holiest of the Five Sacred Mountains of Taoism. Founded during the Yuan Dynasty, the Dongyue Temple is the largest temple of the Zhengyi school of Taoism in northern China and protected as a National Key Cultural Relict. The temple also serves as the Beijing Folk Customs Museum.

Statues representing the “Department of rain gods”

Stone tablets in the courtyard

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Audi R8 Spyder & Audi A3 e-tron Concept at Beijing Motor Show (北京国际汽车展览会)

Now, at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, Audi has taken the wraps off the A6 L e-tron Concept, a car built to study the future of electric mobility in China. It’s a plug-in parallel hybrid version of Audi’s popular business sedan, built at the Changchun plant as a joint venture with FAW. Audi says the A6 e-tron Concept is tailored specifically for China’s rapidly growing cities, where it can be driven solely on electric power for 80 kilometers (49.7 miles).

2012 Audi A3 e-tron Concept – 2012 Beijing Auto Show

Audi A3 e-tron Concept, photo by SondAuto For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

The new A6 L is Audi’s best-selling model in China, where sales are remarkably strong for the Ingolstadt company. In fact, in the first quarter of 2012, Audi sold 90,063 models in China and Hong Kong—that represents a year-on-year increase of 40 percent.

Audi has already launched hybrid versions of the Q5, A6 and A8, but those models can drive only up to three kilometers (1.9 miles) in full-electric mode. With the A6 e-tron, the idea is to make pure-electric driving the primary focus. Test versions of the Audi A1 and A3 e-tron vehicles are currently being used to acquire customer feedback, which will be incorporated into future production Audis. This includes a short run of Audi R8 e-trons that will appear later this year, and the A3 e-tron in 2014.

Audi R8 Spyder, photo by SondAuto

Beijing International Automotive Exhibition or Auto China (北京国际汽车展览会) is an auto show held biennially in Beijing, China since 1990. It has now become one of four top auto shows in the world along with Frankfurt (Frankfurt Motor Show), New Delhi (Auto Expo) and Detroit (North American International Auto Show). China is currently the largest and fastest growing auto market in the world.

Audi Q3 Dragon, photo by SondAuto

Audi Q3 RS, photo by SondAuto

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Silk Street Market, Best Fake Market in Beijing (秀水街)

Oh my God, this place is either heaven or hell depending on your point of view. Whatever you’ve heard about China making knock-off clothes, electronics, even food (heard a rumour about fake eggs!) – here is your proof – all 5 air-conditioned floors of it.

Buying Stuff at the Silk Market in Beijing, the home of counterfeit goods?

Silk Market, photo by SondAuto For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

Now I don’t wanna be too negative because no matter what I say, I can’t deny the fact that I go back here every time I’m in Beijing and buy some more dubiously branded items but what I will say is make sure you bring a bucket load of patience and some hard core bargaining skills. This place exists for tourists, there’s no doubt about that, so don’t expect a cultural experience. Expect haranguing, bartering, shouting and 5 bags full of unwanted goods! But as long as you leave with a smile on your face, that’s all that mattesr.

How to get to the Silk Market in Beijing:

It’s directly linked to the subway, get onto line 1 and go straight to Yong’anli subway stop. Take exit A and you’ll be straight into the Lion’s den.

If you’ve go no moral issues with buying counterfeit stuff, then this is a great place to stock up on gear for your travels. You can buy everything you need hear, backpacks, trainers, shirts, jeans, rock climbing gear, sun glasses, even fake netbooks and Iphone 5s (I’d advise you to stay clear of the electronics though).

Each floor specializes in different types of goods, pearls and jewelry on the fifth, silk on the 3rd etc. When you walk down each isle expect to literally be accosted by the sales people, physically grabbing you into their stores, shouting “What you want man, you want a suit, your clothes are bad, buy some new clothes”. Real confidence boost that was.

No matter how much resolve you have, you’ll buy something, I can almost guarantee it. Set yourself a time limit for how long you plan to stay, say 90 minutes for example, and get out once your time is up. Enjoy it for what it is, grab some fake diesel jeans and get out before you get too jaded! It’s hectic and it’s 100mph but there are certainly bargains to be had, at varying levels of quality.

I bought a bear of sneaker there 3 or 4 months ago, travel in them everyday and they still go strong. Here’s a quick approximate price guide of what stuff costs:

Starting Bid Final Price
iPhone 6 2,500 RMB 800RMB ($120)
iPhone 5s 1,500 RMB 500RMB ($90)
Sports shoes (Nike, adidas etc): 650RMB 75RMB ($12)
Jeans (diesel, replay etc): 400RMB 100RMB ($16)
Sunglasses (raybans, police): 300RMB 20RMB ($3)

Opening hours
Daily 09:30 – 21:00
Subway
Line: 1
Station: Yong’anli (preferably exit A)
Address
秀水街商场
朝阳区建国门外大街秀水东街8号
Xiushui Dongjie nr. 8
Jianguomenwai Dajie
Chaoyangmen District

Silk Street (Chinese: 秀水街; pinyin: Xiùshuǐjiē, literally meaning “beautiful water Street”), aka Silk Market or Silk Street Market, is a shopping center in Chaoyang District, Beijing, that accommodates over 1,700 retail vendors, notorious among international tourists for their wide selection of counterfeit designer brand apparel.

Opened on March 19, 2005, and replacing the old alley-based Xiushui Market, the current Silk Street establishment has diversified their business scope. In addition to selling fashion apparels and accessories such as hats, handbags, shoes, belts, sportswear and silk fabrics like their predecessor, the new Silk Street has introduced traditional Chinese handicrafts, antiques, calligraphy, carpets, table cloths, bed coverings, paintings, hand-knit dresses, toys, electronic gadgets, trinkets, and fine jewelry. Reputable establishments such as the Tongrentang Pharmacy, Quanjude Peking Roast Duck restaurant, and multi-national coffee and restaurant chains such as Lavazza, SPR Coffee, Caffe L’affare, Subway and TCBY have also joined Silk Street’s bid to become the “ultimate one-stop tourist destination” in Beijing. Invested and constructed by Beijing Xinyashenhong Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and managed by Beijing Silk Street Garment Market Co., Ltd.

The Silk Street is located at Yonganli, just west of the China World Trade Centre and is accessible by subway (line 1) and bus.

History
The Beijing Daily in June 2009 published an article confirming that in the last years of the Qing Dynasty Xiushui Street (秀水街) had originally been Chou Shui Street (臭水街), “Smelly Water Alley” when it was simply a mud path outside the Jianguo Gate.

The original outdoor Xiushui Market (a.k.a. Silk Alley) was located in Xiushui Dongjie, south-east of Ritan near the First Embassy Area of Beijing. The shopping alley consisted of 410 stalls selling mostly knock-off luxury brand-name garments, silk products and tourist souvenirs. It attracted 20,000 locals and foreigners on weekends and reaped a total annual sales volume of 100 million yuan (US$12.5m). After 20 years of business, the old market was ordered to close down for demolition on January 6, 2005, due to fire-safety hazards, security issues and the absence of land permits from individual landlords. The application for demolition was filed on July 2004 by the Beijing Urban Planning Bureau, the Chaoyang Public Engineering Committee, the Chaoyang Department of Public Security and Fire Fighting, and the Chaoyang Foreign Liaison Office.

>photo>s***o60>Beijing_Silk_market_Xiushui_yabaolu_kuntai

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Cadillac Ciel hybrid electric car at Beijing Motor Show (北京国际汽车展览会)

Cadillac today unveiled the Ciel concept, an elegant, open-air grand-touring car inspired by the natural beauty of the California coast.

Cadillac Ciel hybrid electric concept at Beijing Motor Show

Cadillac Ciel hybrid electric concept  ( 2012 Beijing Auto show ) photo by SondAuto For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

The Ciel – pronounced ‘C-L,’ the French translation for sky – is a four-seat convertible that opens a new chapter in Cadillac’s design and product ascent, pushing the brand’s Art & Science philosophy into a new stratum. Ciel is a new expression of Cadillac’s historical grandeur, as well as a celebration of open-air motoring.

‘Large, expressive luxury is innate to Cadillac and the Ciel recalls that heritage, while suggesting where the brand can go in the future,’ said Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac. ‘Authentic luxury is driven by experiences, not just products, and Ciel is about the experience of the journey.’

The spacious and elegant Ciel is a grand gesture that explores themes driving Cadillac’s explorations into range-topping flagship luxury. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter Direct Injection V-6 engine, paired wîth a hybrid system using lithium-ion battery technology.

Coastal inspiration
Driving California’s Highway 1 in an open car while the sun sets, from Big Sur north to Monterey, is the type of journey the Ciel team envisioned during its design.

‘The Ciel is about the romance of the drive,’ said Dean. ‘It emulates the great touring cars seen on the greens at Pebble Beach, but wîth a modern flair that projects Cadillac’s vision for the future.’

The four-door Ciel embraces the social aspects of a recreational journey, wîth generous room for two couples. It evokes the spirit of the classics wîth a long, low proportion. The doors are French-style, wîth the rear doors hinged at the rear – there is no B-pillar – to reveal a sweeping view of the dramatic interior. Distinguishing fender lines run from nose to tail, and nickel-plated bright work accents the body lines, enhancing the visual length of the car and honoring Cadillac touring cars of the past.

Ciel’s exterior flows seamlessly into the cabin, wîth the body color rolling over on top of the interior door panels. Like the exterior, the passenger space is accented wîth sweeping nickel-plated trim. It divides the body-color upper sections from a complementing beige lower color. Italian Olive wood, machined aluminum and hand-tipped leather are elements that flow through the interior, complementing the primary colors wîth warm, rich tones.

‘There is authentic craftsmanship in the way the exterior and interior elements meld, much like a vintage wooden boat,’ said Gael Buzyn, interior design manager. ‘It is romantic, not only in its form, but the materials – nothing smells as good as real wood and leather. It blends together for a rewarding feeling of uncompromising luxury.’

Ciel literally and figuratively reflects the driving experience along the California coastline. The Cabernet paint color, developed specifically for Ciel, is inspired by the rich translucence of a glass of red wine held up to the sunlight.

A prominent, polished aluminum windshield frame serves as in important structural element of the vehicle, as well as aesthetic one, recalling classic open cars of the past. Additional exterior cues, including a shield grille and vertical lighting elements, are pure Cadillac, but suggest a more organic interpretation of the brand’s signature design language that emphasizes the artistic and natural sides of it. The body sides, for example, are more rounded, sweeping upward. Bright work is used to bring contrast to the deep paint color, but plays a more supporting role.

The car rides on large, beautifully finished wheels that feature brushed nickel plating over milled billet aluminum, matching the materials and appearance of other trim. Carbon ceramic brake rotors are visible behind the 22-inch rims, a visual clue to the Ciel’s foundation of performance.

And owing to Cadillac’s heritage of advanced technology, the headlamps and taillamps feature LED lighting elements – including a unique daytime running light graphic on the front of the vehicle that is generated wîth gradated LED lighting.

Elegant, authentic details

Simplicity, authenticity and spaciousness were the guiding principles when it came to developing the Ciel’s interior.

‘With the Ciel, the journey is the thing, so the interior is a place of uncompromising comfort and elegance, wîth technology that only makes the journey more enjoyable,’ said Buzyn. ‘Simplicity and lightness ensure nothing distracts from the open driving experience, while the color and materials lend the feeling that the vehicle’s environment blends wîth the surroundings.’

A wheelbase of 125 inches – about 12 inches longer than a CTS sedan – provides generous space. Luxurious seats are bisected by a ‘floating’ center console that runs from the instrument panel to the rear of the interior. It effectively creates a very personal space for each passenger and houses access to hidden connectivity portals for each person in the vehicle – allowing them to make dinner reservations, check the weather at their destination or even upload photos of the trip via social media sights.

Simplicity is also the watchword wîth the Ciel’s instrument panel, which features a minimalist gauge cluster that doesn’t impede or distract from the outward view. But while reserved in its form, it exemplifies Cadillac’s attention to details and its priority on authentic materials. The climate vents, for example, are mostly hidden and their airflow is distributed indirectly.

Transparent gauges deliver their information within a detailed, brushed-aluminum housing that has the intricate depth of a high-quality chronograph. They offer dual readouts – analog and digital – as well as an information hierarchy. Additional interior features include:
– Sloping bolsters on the seats that allow passengers to slide into the seats more comfortably
– A personal device storage area on the front of the console wîth inductive charging and Bluetooth connectivity
– A power-assisted transmission shifter that deploys as soon as the engine is started
– Lighting in the armrests that combines a natural light well for daytime driving and ambient lighting for nighttime drives
– Door storage areas that are inspired by premium fashion accessories and open wîth high-quality zippers
– Pull-out blankets are available for all three passengers and retract automatically
– All the seats have heating and cooling features, along wîth a drawer containing sun lotion, sun glasses and towels, as well as aromatherapy that is controlled from the rear armrest.

But perhaps the defining element of the Ciel’s cabin is the incorporation of Italian Olive wood on the doors, instrument panel, console and the front seatbacks, adding warmth and craftsmanship to a car designed to provoke an emotional response.

‘Milled solid wood delivers richness and a sensual feeling of authenticity in the visual impact of the grain, its feel and aroma, which a veneer simply cannot,’ said Buzyn. ‘Even in our high-tech, connected world, luxury customers crave touches of old-world craftsmanship – the Ciel simply reflects that wîth a blend of the latest technology.’

Italian Olive wood is a premium yet sustainable material and the material used in the Ciel came from a single fallen and recycled tree, from a west coast producer of premium olive oil. It was painstakingly prepared, including drying in a kiln, before it was cut for the concept vehicle. The numerous pieces were then photographed so that the grain could be matched precisely. Each component was hand-milled and finished by expert woodworking craftsmen.

The rear seating area is detailed wîth elegant flourishes. The rear seat passengers can pull a leather tab, which reveals a cashmere blanket that stretches across the seating area to ward off a chill. The wood trim in the rear center console opens to reveal a small humidor, stocked wîth a few cigars.

‘From the materials used to create it to the space and experience it offers passengers, the Ciel represents a unique perspective on luxury, but not the only one,’ said Dean. ‘Along wîth other concepts, such as the ÚLC, Cadillac is demonstrating that the bandwidth of the Art & Science philosophy is wide, indeed – and we’re going to make it even wider.’

The Ciel was developed at GM Design’s North Hollywood Design Center, which is managed by Frank Saucedo. Niki Smart was the lead exterior designer, wîth Buzyn leading interior development.

Beijing International Automotive Exhibition or Auto China (北京国际汽车展览会) is an auto show held biennially in Beijing, China since 1990. It has now become one of four top auto shows in the world along with Frankfurt (Frankfurt Motor Show), New Delhi (Auto Expo) and Detroit (North American International Auto Show). China is currently the largest and fastest growing auto market in the world.

Cadillac ELR, photo by SondAuto

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Chinese MINI E Copy appears (丽锦 Brocade hair salon)

Chinese scooter company FILIN is doing its own copy of a MINI E model, taking on a MINI E model that looks like a e-scooter or something and calling it the MIU FSR 520 FL48QT-2C (飞翎牌 FL50QT-4D).

Chinese MINI E Copy appears

MIU FSR 520 FL48QT-2C (飞翎牌 FL50QT-4D) photo by SondAuto For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

The return to the MIU FSR 520 occurs after Chinese company Yadea produced its own MINI E clone. The MIU FSR 520 is not just about Beijing, though, using automatic transmission and four-stroke 50cc or 125cc motors. Both are air cooled with 7 hp and have electronic ignition.

The storage space on the MIU FSR 520 is behind the front of the scooter and not under the seat, and has a spare wheel look to complete the vintage look-alike style. Currently the MIU FSR 520 is available in european countries but is on sale in China for $500 for the 50cc version and $600 for the 125cc version. An electric scooter is on the way called the Hyundai E-motion and Yadea sportmind which takes on the design of the current MINI E.

北京 丽锦 地址
Beijing Brocade
Beijing, Chaoyang, Dongdaqiao Road
东大桥路临甲24-5

Wonderful Electronic Shopping Mall

It is smaller than its neighbour Bainaohui/Buynow Computer Shopping Mall, but still worth a visit if you are in the area and looking for anything in electronics.

In one section there is also a tea shop, some jewellery and other bits and pieces.

Shopkeepers and atmosphere

Few of the shopkeepers here speak good English but they are very friendly and happy to help.

A good one-stop shopping location near Bainaohui, this mall houses outlets selling brand-name electronics and countless computer peripherals. An ultra-atmospheric Internet cafe, 520, resides on the top floor.

Wonderful Electronic Shopping Mall 旺市百利数码商城

Location
12 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie
Chaoyang District
朝阳区
朝阳门外大街12号
Daily 8.30am-10pm
6599 330

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Cheaper Mercedes-Benz Model G-Class Debut at 2014 Beijing Motor Show (北京国际汽车展览会)

Those who wish to buy a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, but wanted to have a Hummer and a sort of Jeep mixed in it, they can surely head to China. The local automaker of China Beiqi, actually BAIC Group, who have been in a relationship with Daimler AG for quite a few years now, had officially rolled out an off-roader called Beiqi BJ80, which has the sides and body of a G-Class but the front fascia resembled to Jeep and Hummer, debuted at the Beijing Motor Show 2014.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Chinese Copy Beiqi BJ80 (北汽BJ80) Debuts Officially at Beijing Auto Show

For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

Price $49,000 ( CNY 300,000 )
Engine 2.0 liter four-cylinder 105kw (143PS) 217Nm and 4.0 liter six-cylinder
body length of 4780mm/ 1850mm / 1975mm, long wheelbase of 2800mm

Beiqi BJ80 is a truly G-Class on all the sides, under the hoods lays a V8, apparently from Audi.

However, we aren’t confirmed about its technical specifications, but are confirmed of it to be very much ambitious in delivering the aspirations.

Price too is not announced, nor even reported when it is going to arrive at the showrooms.

Though, it remains clear the Beiqi BJ80 may be rolled off from the production line with prior permission from the parent group, Daimler. Otherwise, roving such a big beast in an auto show despite having some relation with the Merc would sure footedly made them to land behind bars.

Hopefully Beiqi BJ80 could do havoc if rolled out here, and there too isn’t any trace of Jeep when it is going to be launched. Till then it can do all the job, conditions apply that it should have diesel version!

Video clip http://youtu.be/NTP8KnmBhhY

Beijing International Automotive Exhibition or Auto China (北京国际汽车展览会) is an auto show held biennially in Beijing, China since 1990. It has now become one of four top auto shows in the world[citation needed] along with Frankfurt (Frankfurt Motor Show), New Delhi (Auto Expo) and Detroit (North American International Auto Show). China is currently the largest and fastest growing auto market in the world.

Beijing Auto (also known as BAIC Motor or Shenbao) is an automobile marque owned by the Chinese automaker BAIC Motor, itself a wholly owned subsidiary of BAIC Group. It was launched in March 2012.

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Brabus Rocket 800 at Beijing Motor Show (北京国际汽车展览会)

Mercedes tuner extraordinaire, Brabus , is bringing their latest Rocket program to the Beijing Motor Show through the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class . Days ahead of the premiere, details of the tuned-up luxury sedan have finally been revealed, giving us an indication on what to expect for the whole program.

2012 Brabus Rocket 800

2012 Brabus Rocket 800 ( 2012 Beijing Auto show ), photo by SondAuto. For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

The Brabus Rocket 800 comes with both aesthetic and technical improvements. The former includes a new trim that features a new front fascia with massive air intakes, air outlets for the front fenders, a new rear fender and rear fascia, a diffuser wing, a rear wing, and a set of lightweight Brabus Brabus Monoblock F Platinum Edition cross-spoke wheels. Inside, the changes largely feature the usual goodies and luxury refinements that Brabus has come to be known for.

The Brabus Rocket 800 is considered one of the, if not the most powerful luxury sedan in the world. As such, great lengths are have been taken by Brabus to ensure that it lives up to the hype. For the 2012 model, the Mercedes CLS is expected to carry a newly tuned V12 engine that produces 800 horsepower and 811 lb/ft of torque mated to an AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed sports transmission. Performance numbers result in a 0-62 mph sprint time of 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 230 mph.

With its lofty status as one of the fastest luxury sedans in the world, the Brabus Rocket 800 will cost you €429,000, excluding taxes. Base that on current USD exchange rates and you’ll need to shell out $582,000 for the privilege of owning this monster.

Beijing International Automotive Exhibition or Auto China (北京国际汽车展览会) is an auto show held biennially in Beijing, China since 1990. It has now become one of four top auto shows in the world[citation needed] along with Frankfurt (Frankfurt Motor Show), New Delhi (Auto Expo) and Detroit (North American International Auto Show). China is currently the largest and fastest growing auto market in the world.

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Test Driving the BYD e6 Electric Taxi In Shenzhen China (体验比亚迪E6电动出租车)

Riding in the BYD E6 taxi in Shenzhen. I love this thing. Quick, quiet, and much more comfortable than the old VW taxis they use.

Test Driving the BYD e6 Electric Taxi In Shenzhen China

BYD E6 Electric Taxi In Shenzhen China, photo by SondAuto. For more info pls visit our Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/SondAuto.Blog

BYD: Electric e6 Can Reach Over One Million Kilometers (621,000 Miles) On Original Battery

Even though BYD has produced and/or sold almost 2,500 all-electric e6 sedans worldwide (most in China) since the car launched in 2010, in the US we know them as the company that makes outrages claims and then doesn’t follow through.

The e6 was to come to market in the US for 2010, with some fantastical specs along in tow (249 miles of range, 0-60 in under 8 seconds), and obviously, that did not happen. An expected 2010 arrival turned into 2011, then to 2012, then to early 2013…poor US infrastructure was reportedly to blame.

And by the time the e6 actually hit roads in China (May of 2010), BYD’s range claim was down to 186 miles, with the car in getting more like 140-150 miles of real world range from a 48 kWh battery pack, and a 0-60 time of about 14 seconds. BYD has promised better things for the US model (notably a 60 kWh pack), whenever it goes on sale.

But lets never-mind all that, because now the company states that the battery will retain 75% of its original capacity after 1,000,000 kilometers (621,000 miles):

“BYD’s pure electric vehicles use an Iron-Phosphate (or Fe) battery, which touts industry-leading safety qualifications and superior life. The battery maintains high-performance capabilities over long periods of use and can stably withstand extreme conditions. Taking the e6 pure electric vehicle as an example, after 4,000 charging cycles, the capacity of the battery remains still remains at above 75% of its original capacity, and the total mileage can reach over one million (1,000,000) km.”

We attempted to do a little research to find out the ‘secret sauce’ behind this unbelievable retained capacity, but it appears to be no different that the standard LiFePO4 chemistry at work here today in the US in the Fisker Karma.

Video clip adv http://youtu.be/rbFvHIAuLTU

Better still, BYD says they have road-proven e6s backing up this claim to some degree, 800 of them in fact as taxis in Shenzhen, China (along with 200 K9 buses), that are showing no signs of capacity loss after more than 70,000 km of use on average. In one particular case, over 300,000 km (186,000 miles) has been logged.

Video clip Test Driving the BYD e6 Electric Taxi In Shenzhen China http://youtu.be/XJLmpSax4os

“Since 2010, BYD has conducted its electric vehicle commercial operations on a large scale. As of the end of February this year, BYD had rolled out 800, e6 pure electric taxis in Shenzhen, accumulating close to fifty-five million (55M) km in total mileage. The mileage of a single electric taxi is well over 300,000 km, which is equivalent to the total mileage accumulated in more than 10 years of driving an average private car. 200 K9 pure electric buses have been running in Shenzhen and have exceeded fourteen million (14M) km in total mileage, which means each vehicle has reached over 110,000 km on average. These electric vehicles are operating steadily, without any apparent reduction in performance.”

So, while we would love to believe a good-news story like this, we have some trepidation at taking BYD at their word.

BYD says they will build 8,000 e6s in 2013, and despite already having an official EPA rating here in the US (for the 2012 model year…a segment worst MPGe rating of 62), it does not appear the company is looking to sell any here during the year.

photo>s***o60>Shenzhen_Mixc_BYD_e6

Shenzhen North Railway Station

Shenzhen North Railway Station (Chinese: 深圳北站 Shenzhenbei Zhan) is a station in Longhua, Bao’an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. It has 11 platforms and 20 lines. It is an interchange station between the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (Chinese: 广深港高速铁路), the Hangzhou–Fuzhou–Shenzhen High-Speed Railway (Chinese: 杭福深客运专线), future Maoming-Shenzhen High-Speed Railway and Shenzhen Metro Line 4, 5 and 6. Construction started in 2007 and was completed in June 2011.

Shenzhen Electronics Wholesale Market

A quick walkabout of a wholesale market peddling mobile parts and devices in Shenzhen, China. It was 7+pm and the air conditioning had been turned off to “encourage” people to leave, but the locals weren’t done with counting their takings for the day just yet. The air was thick with sweat and the stench of uncounted RMB bills.

This video was originally deleted at the request of mall security, presumably due to the extensive knock-offs and unlicensed device transactions that were going on. I recovered it subsequently with FileSalvage.

MIXC SHOPPING MALL (华润万象城)

Even if you are not interested in luxury brand shopping, the MixC mall is a must visit destination on a Shenzhen Shopping trip. This massive mega-mall features Shenzhens largest movie cinema, an Olympic standard Ice Skating rink, cafes, food courts, fine dining and more.

It’s Shenzhens largest shopping mall, and possibly the most luxurious, also featuring luxury residential apartments at Park Lane Manor and a Grand Hyatt Hotel. The shopping mall takes up 6 floors and spreads across three blocks featuring brand names such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Cartier, Gucci, , just to drop a few names.

It also features a RéEL Modern Life Department Store for ladies displaying products from across the globe in it’s massive 20,000sq. meters of floor space over three levels.

The mall also features an Ole Supermarket which has lots of imported goods. As for dining, there’s plenty of Chinese and Western cuisine. Theres all the names you’d expect such as Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonalds, Starbucks, RBT, Breadtalk, Haagen-Daaz, Ajisen Ramen and many more. Theres also plenty of fine dining options.

What can you get there: big name luxury brands

How to get there:take the metro line 1 and get off at Da Ja Yuan (Grand Theatre) Station and wander out Exit C-3.

Address: 深圳市罗湖区宝安南路1881号 English: 5001号 Shennan East Road, Luohu, Shenzhen

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