The Auto Shanghai 2017 is one of the important platforms for the auto industry. And what with the Chinese market being the biggest automotive market in the world, manufacturers went out of their way to showcase interesting cars and upcoming projects for the Chinese audience. This year too, we saw many futuristic concepts at the Shanghai stage. And here is a list of the few concepts that stole all the limelight.
Chevrolet FNR-X
Following the Find New Roads (FNR) concept showcased at the very stage in 2015, Chevrolet metamorphosed the outrageous FNR spaceship-esque concept into the FNR-X crossover this year. The FNR-X looks production ready, apart from the suicidal doors and futuristic tail lamps. The muscular creases and the crossover-coupe silhouette is coupled to a space-age cabin. The FNR-X design cues might make through into other production- ready vehicles from Chevrolet soon. But if the FNR-X does go into production, it would be the perfect crossover for people who want a Camaro but have to settle for a crossover.
Pininfarina K550 and K750
Remember Pininfarina H600 from Geneva Motor Show? The electric sedan now has two all-electric SUV siblings at the Shanghai show. Built by the Italian design house on behalf of Chinese firm, Hybrid Kinetic Group, the five-seater K550 and seven-seater K750 follows the same aesthetics as the H600. Under the skin, the micro-turbine generator range extender promises an exorbitant range of 1,000km. That’s quite futuristic, but Pininfarina is looking forward to putting both these cars in production by 2020 with H600 leading the charge.
Chery Tiggo Sport Coupe Concept
The crossover-coupe seems all the rage these days. It is the Chinese carmaker, Chery, who came up with the Tiggo Sport Coupe Concept that seems ready to take on the likes of stylish compact crossovers – the Toyota C-HR and Nissan Juke. The concept uses the Tiggo moniker from the Chery’s SUV line-up. The minimalistic interior with flamboyant exterior will spearhead the Chinese carmaker’s autonomous technology which is under development right now.
Toyota Fun Concept
Toyota took the stage at Shanghai flaunting the versatility of its new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform with the Fengchao Fun Concept. The concept is rumoured to hint at the next generation Camry for the Chinese market. The Fun show car is so ultramodern it doesn’t even have door handles, the lights are sleek LEDs and the upmarket Lexus inspirations are evident. No details about its powertrain were revealed by the Japanese giant.
MG E-Motion
The E-Motion Concept from MG looks like a cross between the Mazda RX-Vision and Mercedes-Benz Vision Maybach 6 Concept. But the good news is that MG is mulling over putting the E-Motion into production, only if the E-Motion garners the right response at Shanghai stage. And if it does, the production E-Motion will be powered by an unconventional powertrain and become the new flagship for the SAIC-subsidiary when it hits production by the end of the decade.
2027 Renault Formula 1 Concept
The most futuristic concept to adorn the Shanghai stage was the 2027 Renault Formula 1 Concept. The R.S. 2027 is Renault’s take on how the Formula 1 car should look like in 10 years’ time. Weighing 600kg and with power of more than 1000bhp, the power-to-weight-ratio of the R.S.2027 is unlike anything in the world of motorsports. The four-wheel drive will be powered by a small IC engine and a large battery pack (five times the one in the current F1 car). Active aero, four-wheel steering and safety are all greatly advanced in accordance with what Renault predicts the F1 dynamics to be in 2027.
