The new Acura NSX concept has been shown off around the world at Auto Shows since its original debut last January in Detroit, but all of the examples we have seen so far have shown up in one of the most boring colors: grey.

GALLERY: Red Acura NSX concept

Most recently for the Beijing Auto Show, Acura built a red version of the concept car, further pronouncing the design. While the color obviously doesn’t affect the performance of the mid-engine hybrid supercar, it’s a refreshing change from the drab grey version that ran the rounds at every other auto show this year.

Bentley‘s controversial EXP 9 F SUV that debuted last month at the Geneva Auto Show is soldiering on despite overwhelmingly negative reception at its unveiling. 

More than a month later, the luxury automaker is revealing engine details including possibilities that might come as a surprise. As might be expected, a 4.0-liter V8 version is being discusses, as is a 6.0-liter V12 to top the range, but the shocker here is that Bentley says it is considering a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

All three engine options are tentative to date, but the two traditional Bentley powerhouses are likely to live into production. If the automaker decides to roll out the third variant it would represent an entirely new direction for the company: an SUV, and a hybrid — both items that would be newcomers in the British marque’s line.

According to the company, the efficiency-minded powertrain would be based around a V6. We know that the V12 would offer 600 hp and 500 hp from the V8, but estimated horsepower figures for the hybrid system were absent. While there’s a chance the world could see such an EXP 9 F built, it seems more likely that the company is using its ostentatious and the attention it garners to signal possible future options across the board.

With tightening average fuel economy numbers becoming a greater issue for automakers like Bentley that have historically relied on gas-guzzling powerplants, it might make sense to start thinking of alternatives. Then again, it may very well be considering a hybrid SUV for China, it’s largest market.

The automotive industry is a global business that is constantly evolving and growing, and we here at AutoGuide know it can be hard to keep up sometimes. So here is a summary of the top stories you may have missed this week:

 Electric Vehicles Save Money, Can Also Pollute Like Gas Cars: Study

A new study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) sheds light on the carbon footprint, or lack thereof, that…

2015 Mustang to Get Fusion (Aston Martin) Styling Cues

Here are the facts: the Ford Mustang will continue into the future…

PA-12 Resin Shortage Helped by US Company

A solution might be in sight for automakers panicking over the PA-12 resin shortage…

Mercedes-Benz CSC Concept Revealed in Los Angeles- Video

A hot batch of photos and a detailed video of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe (CSC) didn’t take long to surface…

Audi Buys Ducati for $1.12 Billion

While rumors have swirled around this business venture, it is now out that Audi has agreed to buy Italian motorcycle giant…

Audi A6 L and RS Q3 Concept set to Bow at Auto China

Audi will be giving us three world premieres on Monday at the Auto China car show in Beijing…

Lamborghini Urus SUV Pictures Leaked Ahead Of Beijing Debut

Last week the Lamborghini’s SUV, the Urus, leaked onto the web…

Toyota will be heading to this year’s Auto China Beijing show with a new concept car, releasing two teaser images prior to its debut.

The popular blue shade that Toyota normally associates to its hybrid vehicles hints that the upcoming concept will either be a hybrid or electric vehicle. In fact, it’s believed to be a hybrid created in China specifically for the Chinese market.

Style wise, the front end draws inspiration from the NS4 Plug-in Hybrid Concept that debuted earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show, with sleek, sharp lines.

Recently, Toyota announced its new framework called Toyota New Global Architecture in hopes to develop multiple models simultaneously to boost the quantity of common parts used across its vehicles. The NS4 plug-in was our first hint at the Japanese automaker’s hopes on a new design and it’s clear that Toyota believes it in with another concept sharing a similar look.

The other teaser image points to a compact or even a sub-compact (perhaps Yaris-sized) concept.

The Japanese automaker also showed off a FT-Bh Concept at the Geneva Motor Show back in March.

GALLERY: Toyota Beijing Motor Show Concept Teasers

Back in 2009, Beijing Auto was able to purchase the rights to several Saab platforms, engines and transmissions. Now that buyout will result in the C70, set to debut at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show.

Alright, so it’s not actually a new Saab per se, but the C70 is one of three Saab-based models that Beijing Auto hopes to launch shortly. Despite having the rights to the Swedish automaker’s platform and some of its drivetrains, Beijing Auto had to come up with a new body for the car. Rumors have us to believe that Italy’s Pininfarina was tasked with the job.

For the most part, the car’s design has been kept secret except for this single teaser sketch released by the Chinese automaker. Those reporting to have seen the C70 said that it’s more premium than the Saab 9-5 and they believe it could sell in any market. After its debut at the Beijing Motor Show, the C70 will be on sale in China sometime before the end of 2012.

[Source: Auto Sina]

Chrysler has announced its plans to bring a pair of new concepts to the Beijing Motor Show, one of which is a custom 300C and the other looks to be a modified Jeep Wrangler.

Both vehicles look to sport custom accents catered to the Chinese market, with gold-themed graphics to celebrate the ‘Year of the Dragon.’ The 300C concept looks to feature a blacked-out exterior, a different front bumper, mesh grille, and new wheels.

The Wrangler is the concept with the black and gold exterior further accents by dragon graphics and unique lighting. The interior also features gold accents on the steering wheel, instrument cluster, and door handles.

Chances are both these concepts will be available strictly for the Chinese market if they make their way to a limited production.

GALLERY: Chrysler Beijing Auto Show Concepts

Heading to Auto China in Beijing next month will be the 2013 Subaru Legacy which the Japanese automaker has announced will sport “extensive modifications” compared to the typical yearly model updates.

The recently facelifted Subaru Legacy debuted at the New York Auto Show, but the one making an appearance at Beijing will be specifically made for the Chinese market. The interesting part about the teaser image however is that it hints that the Legacy may have a raised height version, pointing at the possibility of an Outback sedan.

“In the view of the market characteristics, the 2013 Legacy model for Chinese market was specially designed not only to enhance its great presence but also to embody the bold and dynamic design with its raised ground clearance,” Subaru said in a press release.

The automaker also announced that the BRZ will be displayed in China for the first time in addition to a Chinese rally car.

Almost two years ago, BMW announced that it would be producing a stretched 3-Series variant for the Chinese market. Now the 3-Series LWB will debut at this year’s Auto China 2012 show in Beijing.

Since the majority of the more affluent Chinese prefer to be chauffeured around, the 3-Series LWB gives the German automaker a more affordable option for fleets or company vehicles.

The wheelbase on the 3-Series LWB has been extended a tad over 4.3 inches and will come with the choice of three different engines. The BMW 320Li is a 2.0L four-cylinder with 181-hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, while the 328Li features a 2.0L TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder with 241-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The ever-popular 335Li comes with the twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six making 302-hp.

GALLERY: BMW 3-Series LWB

There used to be a time when any car company hoping to succeed in business would open up shop in North America. While North America remains one of the key markets for car companies, the new focus is on emerging markets, with China as the number one choice.

Group Lotus is the latest to enter the Chinese market, with a showroom in the trendy Chaoyang district of Beijing. While this is the first official dealership for Lotus in China, a further 10 showrooms are expected to open in this country in 2012.

At the launch, many Group Lotus execs such as Clive Chapman (son of the late Colin Chapman, founder of the company) and Dany Bahar (Group Lotus CEO) were present, along with President and CEO of Lotus China, Li-Chen Zhang.

On this occasion, Zhang said: “This is the first showroom that the Lotus brand has set-up in China since entering the Chinese market on June 15 and it’s a very proud day for all of us who believe very strongly in the brand. We truly believe the Chinese market will completely embrace the Lotus philosophy of performance through lightweight and innovation through clever design. We sold around 300 units before we even opened the showroom so the initial interest and orders put forward indicate that our faith in the brand is well placed.”

At launch, Lotus will be selling six models in China, namely the Elise R, Elise SC, Evora, Evora IPS, Exige S240 and Exige S260. The Evora GTE road car and T125 race car will follow soon after.

GALLERY: Lotus China

The largest Volkswagen and Audi tuner in Europe has intelligently set their eyes on the young and rapidly growing automotive market in China. With China’s exponential growth in the auto industry for the past couple of years, the aftermarket is growing too, despite China trying very hard to restrict vehicle modification. As Audi and Volkswagen continue to focus on this market, ABT Sportsline will now have their presence known in Beijing with their largest showroom outside of their headquarters in Kempten.

In collaboration with their partner CATC and their largest dealer, ZRF, ABT Sportsline is poised to target the close to the 18 million people that live in the Beijing area. Showroom operator ZRF is a Beijing company that holds claim to the oldest Audi and Volkswagen dealer in China.

The showroom spans an impressive 21,500 square feet and will always house at least four complete vehicles. Sales staff will be more than happy to show customers ABT’s product range of accessories, such as sporty lightweight wheels. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out and how quickly the other major aftermarket manufacturers will follow ABT Sportsline into China.

GALLERY: ABT Sportsline China Grand Opening

Living in Los Angeles and being an automotive enthusiast sometimes doesn’t always mix well together. Some of us here at AutoGuide are based in LA and don’t often get great chances to truly “enjoy” our cars having to regularly sit in traffic staring at brake lights. But now we guess we have it easy since news has broke of a 60-mile long traffic jam in China between Beijing and Zhangjiakou. It’s being caused by road repairs and has been this way since middle of August with the light at the end of the tunnel sometime around September 13th.

Now for anyone that has ever been to Beijing and witnessed the driving there first hand, it’s not exactly what we’d call “by regulation.” In fact, it’s more of a free-for-all to get from point a to point b. Now sprinkle in some road work and a major traffic jam and we’re guessing it’s pure chaos out there. But not all is bad as some drivers have apparently taken up card and chess games while waiting for traffic to move again.

And clever little entrepreneurs have set up shop alongside the highway selling food and drinks at an inflated price. Even the local police has used an upward of 400 officers to get everyone to simmer down.

[Source: MSNBC]