The WEY Yuanmeng, may be one of the most intriguing examples we’ve seen in many years. Whereas most other car manufacturers are adopting radical and futuristic design directions, WEY has done the opposite with the Yuanmeng, taking inspiration from cars from the 1950s and bringing these traits into the modern age.
It may not come as much of a surprise that
the Yuanmeng is based around the ORA Punk Cat, another piece of retro design
from Great Wall Motors. Showcased here for the first time ahead of its global
debut at the Chengdu Auto Show, the Yuanmeng has five doors just like the Punk
Cat but immediately stands out thanks to its front end.
Dominating the design is a large grille
with chrome slats positioned horizontally. The chrome accents continue across
the lower portion of the front end and are also found around the headlights.
Look a little closer and you will also notice chrome trimmings on the hood,
front quarter panels, and the wing mirrors. Whereas most carmakers believe that
chrome has gone out of fashion, WEY obviously thinks differently. The
intriguing design continues along the sides with flared front and rear wheel
arches, chrome wheels, and chrome door handles. Among the key pieces of design
at the rear include the oval-shaped taillights, the pronounced spare wheel
cover, and the chrome bumper.
Preliminary images shared online of the
Yuanmeng’s interior by Car News China shows that there are three chrome-trimmed
air vents in the center of the dash. Other highlights include the digital
instrument cluster, the central infotainment screen, and the additional display
for the front passenger. You will also notice the floating center console and
the multitude of leather-trimmed parts.
It is understood that the WEY Yuanmeng
will be sold exclusively with a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a
1.5-liter turbocharged engine coupled to an electric motor and delivering a
combined 238 hp and 520 Nm of torque. This powertrain is mated to a
nine-speed dual-clutch transmission and the car will apparently be able to
travel 195 km on electric power alone.
