Luxury Star Rolls In Shanghai

Will this limousine have Rolls-Royce seeing red? It's the latest luxury model from China's second largest car maker, First Auto, and looks as if it's been inspired by the Phantom. Called the Red Flag and unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show, it costs £130,000.

Auto Express Car Reviews

27th April 2005

The newcomer is aimed at China's emerging breed of super-rich businessmen. A previous version, last made in 1980, was used to transport the nation's Communist leaders. This new model will be put into production by 2008 - ready for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic the following year.

Also making its debut at the Shanghai event was a sports car that resembles a cross between an Aston Martin DB9 cabrio and a Peugeot 307 CC. We published a sketch of the machine in issue 854. Called the M14, it's the work of legendary Italian stylist Pininfarina and has been created for Chinese firm Chery, which revealed it wants to bring its vehicles to Europe.

A city model, saloon and two people carriers will also be sold locally. Marketing vice-president Qin Lihong said further new cars would be exhibited at September's Frankfurt Motor Show.