Classic, serious, sophisticated: Five studies from Auto Shanghai – from BYD to VW

Talk about down-to-earthness: While the Shanghai auto show may seem more serious than ever, there's still no shortage of sophisticated concept cars. And this time, you can take that quite literally. Here are five current examples.

Where the auto shows in Shanghai and Beijing used to be tin-clad cabinets of curiosities, they are now hard to beat in terms of seriousness. The Chinese are serious, and the foreign visitors have long since lost their last laugh. There's too much at stake in the world's largest auto market to take the industry summit lightly. But just because some are positioning themselves for the brightest possible future and others are fighting for survival or at least a shred of relevance, that doesn't mean all fantasies are lost.

Among the surprisingly large number of, almost frighteningly serious, production models, there are a few classic studies that broaden the horizon, amaze trade fair guests or make them smile, and allow a bit of distance from day-to-day business. However, these aren't exactly laugh-out-loud farce. Since the turn of the millennium, the Chinese have been consistently surprising us with models and methods that no one would have thought possible just a short time before, making it harder than ever to distinguish between fantasy and reality. Five current examples.

BYD Dynasty-D: True greatness comes from within

They're celebrating themselves as world champions of electromobility and want to take Europe by storm – which is why BYD is currently the most popular car manufacturer. This not only fills the Chinese coffers, but also puffs out their chests, and they're proudly taking one segment after another by storm.

Having already taken aim at the G-Class with the colossal Yangwang U8, they now want to take on the somewhat less rustic off-road vehicle, sending the Dynasty-D into the race against cars like the BMW X7 or the Mercedes GLS. It's available fully electric, of course, or with a range extender if you're interested, and, of course, with rear seats that convert into a bed at the touch of a button. The five-meter-long Dynasty-D is officially still a concept car. But apart from the opposing doors without a B-pillar between them and a few decorative elements on the consoles, there's nothing much standing in the way of series production.

Mercedes Vision V: With time, comes space

Mercedes prides itself on being the guardian of the grail of the luxury class, thanks to the S-Class. However, the Swabians have so far studiously ignored the trend for space travel in tuxedos. But now, as they're slowly getting customers ready for the next, fully electric V-Class, they're finally getting their act together and polishing the first example into a celebrity lounge on wheels. Inside, there are lounge chairs straight out of a designer furniture store and a partition wall in front of which a giant screen extends out of the floor. Entertainment is provided by Dolby Atmos, cinema, karaoke, and mobile data services. Those who prefer a more classic approach can relax with a game of chess and a cold drink from the onboard bar.

Mercedes also goes all out on the outside, draping the Vision V with more LED lights and chrome tinsel than a Swabian Christmas tree. The only thing missing, instead of the illuminated star, is the Maybach logo. But what hasn't come yet could still happen. After all, it's still more than a year until the market launch as the VLS. And if Mercedes lacks the courage to put the double M on a van, then the more or less shady tuners in China or Turkey will do it again. After all, they've already had plenty of practice.

JAC Define-S: Greetings from the Jetsons

It looks like it should play the automotive lead in a Jetsons sequel. Because it's hard to imagine a car that comes much closer to the idea of ​​a road jet than the JAC Define-S. After all, the only thing missing from the flat-bottomed car is its wings.

Competitors like the four-door AMG GT, in any case, look rather tame and staid in comparison – and are no match for the road either. Not only does the flat-pack use a 1000-volt battery for ultra-fast charging and Huawei software for maximum assisted speed, it also has three motors with a combined output of almost 1000 hp, capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just over two seconds.

VW ID. Era: VW goes into overtime

After VW was dethroned as market leader in China, the Lower Saxony-based company wants to at least secure the import ranking and is launching a massive model offensive, teasing it with concepts like the ID. Era.

Not only does it have more space and more character than a comparable Tayron in Europe, but above all, it features drive technology that many electric car skeptics would also like to see here. Together with its cooperation partner SAIC, VW is installing the first range extender here, increasing the range of the electric motor to more than 1,000 kilometers with a gasoline generator, despite a comparatively small battery. The car itself will probably never be available here. However, CEO Oliver Blume has already announced that he may soon offer European ID models with a gasoline engine.

CATL eVTOL: electric flying car

CATL's eVTOL is one of the most out-there concepts at the show. One in ten exhibitors, the battery giant, is apparently toying with the idea of ​​a flying car—electric, of course—that would allow you to simply fly away from traffic jams. These are all still studies, and even most of the prototypes and technology showcases haven't yet taken flight. But at least in China, few doubt that these gimmicks will soon take off and the new business models will literally fly. It's not for nothing that the government in Beijing recently launched a multi-billion dollar funding program. And it's not for nothing that no other country builds more drones that are literally child's play to fly for little money.

And if you still have doubts, just think back 10 or 20 years: Back then, no one would have thought that all these electric car studies would one day go into production. And today, hardly anyone in China drives a combustion engine anymore.