The 2014 Beijing Motor Show

If you’re enrolled in some of the great automotive trades training B.C. has to offer, or toying around with the idea, you’ll know there’s nothing we love more than automotive shows. They’re where cutting edge concept cars meet nearly crazed levels of excitement. That’s why seeing all of the wild stuff coming out of the 2014 Beijing Motor Show has had us in an absolute automotive frenzy. We’ve done all the legwork and compiled a list of the most must-see vehicles that jumped out at us this year. Now you’ll have the dirt on all the newest automotive innovations to dish out in your auto mechanic training courses.

Mercedes Benz Concept Coupe SUV

In a move that’s shocking not only the automotive world, but peoples’ sense of style, Mercedes-Benz unveiled their new coup and SUV hybrid concept car at the Beijing Motor Show. Reactions have been mixed, with some hailing the ingenuity of the German automaker’s combination of styles and features, and some downright lambasting the Concept Coupe SUV’s bizarre and slightly awkward appearance. Many have compared it to automotive flops such as the Pontiac Aztek, which may not bode well for Mercedes-Benz. Only time will tell on this odd duck!

Ford Everest Concept

In a fairly shocking move, Ford introduced their latest concept vehicle – the Ford Everest, a 7 passenger SUV – at the Beijing Motor Show, announcing it had no plans to distribute this vehicle outside of China. In a partnership with China’s JMC, Ford announced that production versions of the concept vehicle would be hitting showrooms in the next couple of years. This is Ford’s first real push into the Chinese market, and it has a lot of people talking. Details are still scarce, as Ford is insisting on keeping the interior and mechanic details pretty tight-lipped, but hopefully more information pops up soon! For now, check out this video:

Volkswagen Midsized Coupe Concept

In what many are calling a great return to form and a vast improvement over the new style of Volkwagen’s Jetta models, this midsized coupe concept – which currently goes unnamed – is definitely turning heads. Seemingly modeled after Volkswagen’s much lauded CC model, with a bit of old-world Jetta thrown in for good measure, the car is an absolute stunner. With a nice, balanced 217 horsepower and a 2.0 liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it’s not just a pretty face, either! With a 0 to 60 of about 6.5 seconds and 37 mpg fuel efficiency, it’s just what you’d expect from the German automaker.

Volkswagen Golf R 400

Playing to the other end of the spectrum, Volkswagen also introduced its supercharged, crazily powerful Golf R 400 concept at the show as well. With 395 horsepower, 332 pound-feet of torque, and a top speed of 280 km/h, this is one heck of a powerhouse! Car sales training won’t be necessary to get this baby flying off the showroom floors if it ever gets put into production. Luckily, Volkswagen’s head of research and development, Heinz-Jakob Neusser, just confirmed to Car and Driver that it would indeed be produced, though maybe not in North America. We’ll have to wait and see!