Times Five

The Shanghai Motor Show concluded last week and we were treated to a bevy of new concepts. Nile Bijoux shares some favourites.

Ora Punk Cat

The Ora Punk Cat is one of Ora’s two, er, ‘‘VW Group-inspired’’ concepts debuting at the Shanghai show. It takes its look from the Volkswagen Beetle, with a rounded nose, circular headlights protruding from each fender and a snub, 1950s-style rear end. Inside is more retro goodness, with a slim, simple steering wheel featuring touch controls for audio, a round, digital instrument cluster with a rectangular digital infotainment screen, lots of white leather, shiny inserts, and round vents and controls.

Haval X-Dog

Haval’s new X-Dog concept looks like a combination of Suzuki Jimny, Kia Soul EV and a bit of Jeep, with a healthy dosage of digital screens inside. There are no fewer than six in the front of that cabin alone – two on each end of the dash, a digital instrument cluster, a central touchscreen with another display in the centre console and one more screen in the steering wheel.

Power will be sourced from a plug-in hybrid system, which uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and makes an unspecified amount of power.

Hongguang Mini EV Cabrio

Who doesn’t love a baby convertible? The Cabrio version of Hongguang’s Mini EV is set for showrooms next year and will reportedly retain its awesome concept styling.

The car weighs just 665kg, with a single electric motor sending 13kW to the rear wheels. A 9.2kWh battery offers enough power for 120km of range. Features include air-conditioning, rear parking sensors, ABS and an audio system. Price? A hair over NZ$6000, but sadly it won’t make it here.

Great Wall Cannon Baja Snake

Before it was revealed in full, we all thought Great Wall had partnered with Shelby American to create the Baja Snake here. That’s not the case – Shelby confirmed to United States media that it has zero connection to the ute. The Cannon uses the regular 140kW/360Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and eightspeed automatic transmission offered in standard GWM utes in China, albeit paired with a lift kit, Fox shocks, all-terrain tyres and wider arches. Plus, there’s that weird PlayStation controller grille.

Hongqi L-Concept

This is what Spiderman would drive if he were a villain. There are spider web motifs in the lights but the black paint, chrome grille and uberluxurious interior (complete with chandelier) are much more Kingpin than the friendly neighbourhood spider. There’s no obvious steering wheel, which suggests the L-Concept drives itself, and we would assume electric power lurks beneath the bodywork. We could find out in the near future. Rumour has it, Hongqi will build the L-Concept and sell it in 2023.