Five long-expected models absent from Beijing Auto Show

Shanghai, April 30 (Gasgoo.com) The Beijing Auto Show has been held successfully in the past nine days, but five models that had been expected to come and had raised much media attention in the build-up to the event finally absented themselves from the show.

The list below shows the five models that had been long-awaited but finally were absent from the Beijing Auto Show:

1 Ford Kuga

Ford exhibited a series of models at the Beijing Auto Show but this Kuga. The Kuga made its official debut at this year's Geneva show in March and already goes on sale in Europe with a price of ￡20,495.

The vehicle is launched with just one engine - the 134bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which is coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox and permanent Haldex four-wheel drive system.

2 Tata Nano

The "cheapest car in the world" is known for carrying a retail price of $2500, much cheaper than the popular Chery QQ, which is sold at $3900 in China. Its launch raises concerns over potential impact of Nano on China's automobile industry.

Tata Motor's Chairman Ratan Tata said the company has no plan to export its Nano city car to China but will instead be looking at other regions such as Europe, South Africa and other Asian markets.

3 Audi A3

The Audi A3 was introduced a decade ago into Europe and went to the United States in 2006, but its China debut still remains to be seen. The current Audi A3 is available in 2.0T and 3.2 Quattro trim levels.

4 Youngman RCR

In contrast to Chinese brands Chery and Geely's high profile attitude, another emerging homegrown automaker Youngman Automobile Group were conspicuously absent from the show.

The Youngman RCR race car, jointly developed by Youngman and UK automaker Lotus, was launched this January. Powered by a 1.6 Liter Campro engine, the model is priced at 100,000 yuan ($13,690) to 150,000 yuan in Chinese market.

5 Skoda Superb

Skoda only showed one new model - the new Fabia at the 2008 Beijing auto show this month. Skoda Superb was unveiled at the Geneva show in March. Inspiration comes from a range of six engine options–three gasoline and three diesels–topping out with a 260-hp 3.2-liter V6. A five- or six-speed manual is also standard, the automaker said.