While the industry and media focus on Auto Shanghai 2023 and its key reveals made April a good time to launch a number of new production cars, the Chinese motor show also hosted several intriguing concepts. Our pick of the show ranges from far-future dreams to slightly disguised new production models.
Auto Shanghai 2023 concept cars
Concept Lancia Pu+ra HPE
(Image credit: Lancia)
Lancia has languished for years, decades, even. Now part of Stellantis, the sickly Italian company hopes to break out of its design funk with this spectacular new concept car. The Lancia Pu+ra HPE concept is inspired by the Stratos, the wedge-shaped rally car designed by Bertone from 1971 that still looks futuristic today.
Interior of the Lancia Pu+ra HPE concept
(Image credit: Lancia)
This new vision shares some of that edgy optimism of the 1970s, a set of geometric shapes that aims to point the way for new electric models, including a new compact Ypsilon and mid-size Delta. If Lancia can bottle just some of the vivacious spirit of its past, as celebrated in the airy retro-futuristic shapes of the Pu+Ra, it will have a chance to rise again.
Lancia.com (opens in a new tab)
Citroën Autonomous Mobility Vision
Citroën Autonomous Mobility Vision: Immersive Air
(Image credit: Citroën)
Citroën’s Autonomous Mobility Vision is built on a modular platform, the Citroën Skate, an autonomous electric module that can be equipped with a set of interchangeable “pods”, ranging from personal transport units to shops and places of entertainment Three new visions were created specifically for China and were shown in Shanghai. Future cities full of mobile premises are a popular vision, but the most practical applications of a system like the Skate are for cargo transport and deliveries – the alternative has the potential to become another form of tourist rickshaw , hardly the most welcome vehicle in any city. natural environment.
Citroën Skate platform
(Image credit: Citroën)
That said, the Immersive Air, Cozy Capsule and Wander Café pictured here are certainly more exciting than a delivery van. The first is a kind of mobile karaoke booth or meeting place on the go. The cozy capsule is a luxury taxi module, while the Wander Café offers “tasting experience while cruising through cityscapes”, with a canopy inspired by the Bird’s Nest Stadium.
Citroen.com (opens in a new tab)
Nissan Max-Out and Arizona Concepts
(Image credit: Nissan)
Nissan’s concept duo were chalk and cheese. The Max-Out EV Convertible Sports Car Concept is a stunning vision of a future electric roadster, full of clean design touches, a fluid one-piece body that offers an alternative to the car’s long hood proportions “traditional” sport. Touches like the parabolic hologram wheels are pure theater.
Interior of the Nissan Max-Out Concept
(Image credit: Nissan)
(Image credit: Nissan)
In contrast, the Arizona SUV had a more conventional shape. Previewing a future SUV for the Chinese market, the Arizon incorporates a virtual personal assistant (VPA), Eporo, as well as a spacious cabin accessed via clamshell-style doors. Expect VPAs to become a core part of future automotive offerings as manufacturers look to imbue electric vehicles with a distinct personality.
Interior of the Nissan Arizona Concept
(Image credit: Nissan)
Nissan-Global.com (opens in a new tab)
Toyota bZ Sport Crossover and bZ FlexSpace Concepts
Toyota bZ Sport Crossover concept
(Image credit: Toyota)
Toyota also debuted two new concepts, both of which had a whiff of realism. The bz Sport Crossover Concept looks like a natural evolution of the company’s bZ4X EV, while the bZ FlexSpace Concept simply takes the design language established by Toyota’s debut EV and ramps it up. The result is ultimately a ready-made family of tasteful electric vehicles from the world’s second-largest automaker.
Toyota bZ FlexSpace concept
(Image credit: Toyota)
Global.Toyota (opens in a new tab)
1 Comment
Can I simply just say what a relief to uncover someone that truly understands what theyre talking about online. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people have to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you arent more popular given that you definitely have the gift.