What more is that the Bestune comes with a holographic AI assistant on the dashboard. Something an Audi certainly doesn’t have.
While the Beijing Auto Show has come and gone, the auto news from China keeps coming. The latest being Bestune’s recent unveiling of its Audi A7-esque B70 fastback sedan.
To those who have not heard of this interesting sounding automaker, Bestune, formerly known as Besturn, is part of the First Auto Works (FAW) automotive conglomerate, which incidentally also produces Hongqis. The B70 is the firm’s ‘deluxe saloon’ model, with two prior Mazda6-based iterations before this sharp-looking model.
This third iteration of the B70 though is a far cry from its two prior predecessors. For one, the sharp exterior styling is nothing like the B70s of old, even if the second generation was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. From the front, hints of Cadillac could be observed from this Chinese fastback, especially with its slim Y-shaped LED headlights. A wide almost Mercedes-like grille and a sleek front bumper adds to the imposing look of the newest B70.
Down the side, large 19 inch multi-spoke alloys complement the sweeping roofline aesthetic of this four-door fastback. Flush-fitting door handles that electronically deploy meanwhile hint at the technology found within the cabin. Round the back, L-shaped taillights are connected by a light bar that runs across the width of the rear, adding to the Audi A7 similarities. Twin circular tail pipes stick out from beneath the bulbous bumper.
Speaking of the Audi, measuring in at 4,810 mm in length, the Bestune B70 sits between the A5 Sportback and A7. The interior of this Chinese fastback too borrows design cues from the Ingolstadt automaker, with the horizontal strakes running across the dashboard continuing from the air-con vents a similar design to that on current Audis.
What is not available on the Audis though is Bestune’s Yomi 3D holographic AI in-car assistant. Sitting proudly atop the large central infotainment screen, a holographic projection of assistant is ever-present to assist occupants within the B70. According to Bestune, Yomi can not only do the usual voice-command features found on most modern cars nowadays, but also identify the driver through facial recognition and automatically match the vehicle settings to suit the person in the driver’s seat.
What more is that Yomi can detect the state of fatigue of the driver and actively respond to wake them up. Even more freakily, besides fatigue, Yomi apparently can even recognise, and more impressively, respond to a driver’s changing emotions by recommending ‘the configuration of corresponding music.
In other words, think of Yomi as the X70’s ‘Hey Proton’ voice assistant feature taken to 11. Also, it is worth mentioning that an anime chick isn’t the only version of holographic projection available. To those who aren’t weebs or are looking for a more family friendly option, Yomi can take the form of a whole range of other characters, including animals.
Yomi aside, the rest of the interior is also suitably impressive with two other screens are present within the relatively plush cabin. These are the digital instrument cluster and the climate control screen that looks to be lifted off the current JLR production line. A two-spoke multi-function steering wheel adds to the fanciness of this already impressive interior.
Powertrain-wise, under the hood of the B70 lies a rather tiny 1.5 litre turbocharged engine. Mated to a 7 speed dual-clutch transmission, it supposedly pushes out an adequate enough 169 hp and 258 Nm of torque.
Due to go on sale China during the forth quarter of this year, no prices has yet been officially announced for this B70. What is more certain however is that this sleek Bestune fastback would most likely not see the light of day outside of the country in which it is produced. A shame really as this B70 is one of the increasing number of new Chinese cars that could be a viable alternative to the status-quo automakers worldwide today.
