Powering the moments behind Auto China’s biggest reveals

In the premium exhibition sector, visual storytelling has become the essential bridge between brands and audiences. At Auto China 2026 in Beijing, the Barco Encore3 image processing platform set a new benchmark in performance – more powerful, faster, and more flexible.

It empowered globally renowned automotive brands, including Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, and Geely, to create visually striking and technically sophisticated stage experiences across their exhibition spaces. By precisely rendering each brand’s heritage and cutting-edge technology, Barco’s projection platforms and the Encore3 image processing elevated automotive storytelling, making every brand narrative more compelling and engaging.

Precision at scale for standout brand moments

Held biennially in Beijing, Auto China is one of the automotive industry’s most prominent global stages, where leading manufacturers unveil innovations, launch new models, and define the future of mobility in front of an international audience.

At Auto China 2026 in Beijing, themed “Leading the Era, Smart Future,” Encore3 delivered precise signal management and stunning image quality. It enabled leading global automotive brands to present premium, high-impact brand experiences, ensuring that diverse and creative visuals were displayed seamlessly.

From Mercedes’ immersive curved screens to Audi’s complex multi-screen matrices, and the fully engaging stages of Volkswagen and Geely, Encore3 ensured smooth and consistent visual delivery throughout.

Rising to the demands of a world-class auto show 

Auto China 2026 presented three core challenges, all expertly addressed by Barco Encore3.

Auto show content demands speed, precision, and refined design aesthetics. Dynamic visuals must be rendered with seamless motion and exceptional detail. With native 4K processing and ultra-low 16 ms latency, Encore3 delivered smooth, high-fidelity playback that captured both a true sense of speed and driving dynamics – fully meeting the expectations of premium automotive brands.

With numerous display endpoints and intricate signal routing requirements, Encore3’s modular architecture and 400G high-speed links enabled flexible scaling of input/output capacities. This allowed rapid adaptation to layout changes and real-time contingencies. Each system supports 8 channels of 4K60 PGM output with 8 layered 4K sources per channel, offering a vast creative canvas for stage design.

With heavy visitor traffic and continuous operation, the platform needed to maintain uninterrupted performance under sustained load. Equipped with dual redundant hot-swappable power supplies and independent I/O cards, Encore3 ensured stable, high-performance operation, supporting critical brand launches without disruption.

Scene highlights: light and motion define brand identity

Encore3 acted as the visual “engine” for each automotive brand, delivering precise, powerful image processing:

• Mercedes pavilion: timeless visual narratives
  At the Mercedes-Benz main exhibition zone – featuring nearly 40 vehicles – three massive curved screens enveloped the space. Two Encore3 systems powered large-scale split-screen content, enabling highly dynamic storytelling.
  
  Advanced processing ensured seamless transitions from archival heritage footage to forward-looking AI-driven content, maintaining continuity and visual fluidity.
  
  During Mercedes-Benz Brand Day, a stage inspired by the iconic three-pointed star was surrounded by seven large-format displays. Driven by two Encore3 systems, visuals combined the elegance of classic models with the vibrant energy of next-generation concept cars, creating a fully immersive environment across time.

• Audi pavilion: complex layout, stunning impact
  The Audi exhibition featured the global debut of the all-electric E7X and the F1 race car R26, supported by a mix of ultra-wide screens, curved displays, and diverse formats.
  
  To manage this complexity, four Encore3 systems worked in coordination with six E2 Gen2 units. Through advanced signal routing and multi-system connectivity, Encore3 enabled unified control of the entire visual canvas while ensuring fast and efficient content deployment.
  
  
• Volkswagen Night: projection powers global premieres
  At Volkswagen Group Night, Encore3 worked alongside 6 × I600-4K15 projectors and 4 × UDX-4K40 units to create an immersive stage environment for the global debut of four new models across Volkswagen, Jetta, and Audi brands.
  
  Customized dynamic visuals were precisely orchestrated for each reveal, seamlessly integrating light, motion, and automotive design. The result was a compelling expression of each model’s identity and forward-looking vision.
  
  
• Geely pavilion: where art meets technology
  The Geely exhibition centered on the “Galaxy Light” concept car and a Robotaxi prototype, creating a highly immersive visual environment.
  
  Two Encore3 systems served as the central control hub. One unit drove 14 × QDX-4K45 projectors via an 8-input, 4-output configuration, while the second acted as a redundant backup system.
  
  Even under bright ambient lighting, the installation delivered vivid, high-contrast visuals that highlighted design elements such as “West Lake Starfall” while showcasing advanced concepts like embodied intelligence, capturing strong audience attention.
  
  In addition, the Geely Holding booth featured 12 × UDX-4K40, 4 × QDX-4K45, and 1 × I600-4K15. These projectors illuminated gauze screens, architectural elements, and VIP lounges, creating a cohesive and immersive visual atmosphere.

Encore3: the visual core

From meeting the high-performance demands of a large-scale auto show to enabling unified multi-screen control and creative storytelling in complex environments, Barco Encore3 once again demonstrated its capabilities and earned strong customer confidence.

Looking ahead, Barco will continue to drive innovation in audiovisual technology – delivering more ambitious and impactful visual experiences and supporting the evolution of live event production worldwide.