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With more carmakers targeting the Chinese car market than ever before, the Beijing motor show is fast becoming a firm favourite on the automotive calendar. With a variety of EVs being revealed by teams within the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, as well as some weird and wonderful creations from Chinese car companies, we've picked out the best - and worst - EVs of the 2018 Beijing motor show.
The Best...
BMW iX3
With BMW's i3 and i8 models already burning around the Formula E circuit as the championship's official vehicle partner, the German powerhouse revealed a near production-ready version of its X3 - the iX3. Due in 2020, the iX3 promises a range of 249 miles and the potential to use 150kW charging.
Mercedes-Maybach SUV
While its looks might divide opinion - or even insult - this is the latest concept from Mercedes-Maybach - the top level in luxury within the Daimler group, the parent company of both brands. The concept's unusual saloon-like suit sits over an all-electric powertrain, which makes use of four permanent-magnet synchronous motors, enabling fully variable all-wheel drive. There's no word on production for the concept but it does hint at Mercedes luxury intentions as it enters a new era of all-electric mobility, marked by its entry into Formula E in 2019. Oh, and did we mention it comes with a heated tea set in the back?
Nissan Sylphy
Look familiar? Well, it should do as the Sylphy is a saloon version of the already popular all-electric Leaf. Made exclusively for the Chinese market, the Sylphy is rumoured to have the same powerplant as the Leaf - a 40kWh battery pack - and 210-mile range. Launching later this year, the car represents one of 20 new electrified models set to come from Nissan in the next few years. With the marque filing onto the gird at the start of season five, Nissan will be making the most of the lessons learnt on the track by transferring them to their road cars over the coming years.
FAW E-Jing GT
Chinese automotive company FAW wheeled out its latest electric concept, the E-Jing GT, with its long, swooping lines, similar to the Mercedes-Maybach 6 concept first shown at Monterey Car Week in 2017, the E-Jing GT is designed to appeal to super-luxury car buyers.
Qiantu K20
The K20 is a two-seater EV from Chinese car manufacturer Qiantu. With its dinky proportions and large glass cockpit, the concept hints at a sporty two-seat hot hatch from the marque, which also revealed the Concept 1 at the show.
...and the worst
KDC Regola
Now, we know what you're thinking. That looks suspiciously like a home-made McLaren, right? And it does. With its bright orange paint job, dihedral doors and copycat front end, KDC haven't been subtle when it comes to revealing the inspiration for the Regola. The only difference? It's entirely electric.