This concept EV shows the Chinese are getting serious about car design

The Chinese automotive company Lepas, which owns the Chery Group brand, has unveiled a stunning concept car named the Aura that shows the company's growing seriousness about car design. The Aura concept forges a unique blend of hatchback and shooting brake design elements, reminiscent of recent Audis. This innovative design will likely influence Lepas' future models.

While Chery's SUV line, such as the L8 and L6 models, are relatively standard in their exterior styling, the Aura concept stands out with its sporty shooting brake aesthetic. The concept was showcased at the brand's Global Elegant Lifestyle Week in Wuhu, China. The most distinctive feature of the Aura is the "Leopard-Eye" lighting signature at the front, coupled with a vast backlit screen that serves as a faux grille, housing the Lepas logo.

Ivan Dulanovic, the concept's designer, explains that this digital canvas can display adaptable graphics, lighting effects, and animations. Additionally, an elliptical display at the rear offers the potential for personalized taillight signatures. The absence of a front grille and ducting suggests that the Aura concept could be powered by an electrified powertrain.

The sleek and low profile, along with pronounced shoulder lines and flowing surfaces, make the Aura distinct from other vehicles on the road. Although it remains unclear whether the concept previews a production car, the Aura concept provides an excellent glimpse into Lepas' design direction for future models.