When it debuted six decades ago, the Milan Design Week was exclusively a furniture fair, but the annual event has since grown to become an important platform for presenting the newest trends and innovations in different sectors. This year, the automotive industry has taken the event by storm, with various car brands showcasing their latest designs in the vibrant Italian city.
GAC Group was one of them. The Chinese car manufacturer unveiled not one but three innovative concept city cars at the 2024 Milan Design Week, each with its own distinctive features and applications. The trio, part of the GAC Car Culture series 3.0, represents the brand's vision for the future of city transportation and is engineered to cater to the specific demands of urban dwellers in Milan and Guangzhou. Called the City Pod, City Box, and City Run, the compact vehicles are specifically tailored for daily city commutes, urban delivery, and road speeding, respectively.
What the three new GAC city cars have in common, besides their compact design, is a modular electric powertrain that integrates the batteries and drive components into a single, interchangeable unit. This sophisticated system is part of the Chinese company's efforts to promote sustainable urban mobility, as it facilitates quick powertrain replacements, reduces maintenance downtime, and enhances the vehicle's efficiency.
Photo: GAC Group
Moreover, each of the three concepts is envisioned with innovative features and cutting-edge technologies meant to not only elevate the aesthetic appeal but also enhance the user experience, such as an adaptive trunk space, panoramic glass shell, and advanced display system.
Designed as a robust solution for the delivery sector, the City Box is a compact three-wheeled vehicle inspired by the Italian Piaggio Ape. This configuration is specifically tailored for modern city logistics as it allows it to navigate narrow passageways and cobblestone pavements efficiently. It has an adaptive backpack-like trunk made from tensile fabric that can adjust to accommodate various load sizes. It also features a Plug and Drive System, which means the electric vehicle can be recharged both at home or at public charging stations.
Photo: GAC Group
The City Pod is designed with the urban commuter in mind and is touted as an ideal solution for the fast-paced city life in Milan and Guangzhou. In terms of styling, it takes design cues from the iconic 1950s Isetta, merging timeless appeal with modern functionality. It boasts a panoramic glass shell that increases visibility and allows passengers to admire the changing scenery thanks to 360-degree views and what the company calls an “Integrated Luggage” system at the rear.
Under this innovative body shell lies a self-supporting chassis that integrates vital components like the batteries and the powertrain.
Finally, the City Run has been presented as an urban commuting solution aimed at youngsters. Its design merges the compactness and practicality of a hatchback with the sleekness of a coupe. Apart from the distinctive, futuristic aesthetic with upward-opening doors, a standout feature of this vehicle is the Transparent Display Concept, which creates a semi-augmented reality user experience by combining the traditional heads-up display data with touchscreen functionality across the dashboard.
Photo: GAC Group
For increased comfort, the interior of the concept car introduces yet another innovation - the Air Seats. These bucket-style seats use air inflation to provide cushioning and significantly reduce the vehicle's weight.
With their unique designs and pioneering technologies, these concept city cars are actually a good fit for an event that has become a scene for the latest design trends. They also showcase GAC’s commitment to adapting their offering to the evolving needs of urban commuters.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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