The Craziest Cars You Missed From the 2026 Beijing Auto Show

Why It Matters

The debut of multiple 1,000‑hp electric platforms underscores China’s leadership in EV performance, while budget models like the Leapmotor B05 Ultra demonstrate expanding affordability, reshaping competitive dynamics worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• Denza Z delivers 1,000 hp, sub‑2‑second 0‑62 mph
• Fangchengbao expands with Formula X speedster and Formula S sedan line
• Leapmotor B05 Ultra priced at $18,135, 241 hp, 300‑mile range
• Peugeot unveils sleek Concept 6 wagon and Concept 8 SUV for China
• Lynk & Co Time to Shine GT claims sub‑2‑second acceleration

Pulse Analysis

The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition has become a barometer for the future of mobility, featuring almost 1,500 vehicles across two venues and more than 200 new launches. While European and North American automakers still command headlines, Chinese brands dominate the floor, using the event to unveil both cutting‑edge performance machines and mass‑market electric sedans. The sheer volume of electric concepts signals that China is no longer a testing ground but a production hub, accelerating the global transition from internal‑combustion to zero‑emission powertrains.

Among the most eye‑catching debuts is BYD’s Denza Z, a 1,000‑horsepower electric supercar that claims a 0‑to‑62 mph sprint in under two seconds, thanks to a steer‑by‑wire system and magnetorheological dampers. The same powertrain philosophy appears in Fangchengbao’s Formula X speedster and the newly announced Formula S, Formula SL and Formula S GT lineup, all built on an 800‑volt tri‑motor architecture delivering 1,000 hp and 737 lb‑ft of torque. These vehicles illustrate how Chinese firms are leveraging high‑voltage platforms to rival established European hypercars while keeping development cycles tight.

Not all announcements chase the hypercar halo; Leapmotor’s B05 Ultra demonstrates how Chinese manufacturers are compressing performance, price and range into a compact hatchback. At a projected $18,135 in China, the 241‑hp model promises a 0‑62 mph time in the five‑second bracket and more than 300 miles of real‑world range, positioning it against budget EVs from Tesla and European rivals. The aggressive pricing, combined with Stellantis’s 20 percent stake, hints at cross‑border collaborations that could bring Chinese‑engineered affordability to global markets, reshaping competitive dynamics for the next decade.