This is the Roewe Vision-E Concept, revealed in the lead up
to the Shanghai Auto Show.
Roewe, a brand created by SAIC Motor in 2006, isn’t
a familiar name outside of China but its Vision-E Concept has a seriously
impressive design that proves the Chinese can design and build vehicles that
look just as good as those from the established European marques.
The Vision-E Concept will spawn a
production model next year that it will have a very similar design. The most
immediate thing that attracts attention to the SUV is its front fascia,
dominated by a huge grille that seamlessly joins to a set of LED headlights
that incorporate six amber-colored lights on each side. The grille is also
illuminated by bright white lights while a set of symmetrical L-shaped daytime
running lights are found near the base of the bumper.
While the huge wheels with illuminated spokes
largely dominant the sides of the concept, SAIC has spent the time to expertly
craft doors with integrated handles and have made way without traditional
B-pillars. The front doors open normally while the rear
ones are suicide doors, Rolls-Royce style.
The complex design is completed at the rear with LED
taillights and lower brake lights that mimic the shape of the daytime running
lights up front. Inside is a two-spoke, square-shaped steering wheel that sits
in front of a digital gauge cluster that includes a heads-up display. A large
touch screen panel makes up most of the center console while the rest of the
cabin is bathed in Nappa leather.
The Roewe Vision-E is driven by two
electric motors (one driving the front axle and one powering the rear), no
figures have been released of how much power or torque it delivers.
Nonetheless, the concept will allegedly hit 100 km/h in around 4 seconds, drive
at least 500 km and features a fast-charging system that in just 15
minutes fills the batteries to 80 per cent capacity.
