Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group), one of the biggest Chinese automakers, has unveiled its latest project at GAC R&D Center Europe during Milan Design Week 2023. The project, called Car Culture #2 VAN LIFE, is the second installment in GAC’s Car Culture Series, following the first one, Car Culture #1 – The Barchetta, which was revealed during the opening ceremony of their studio in Milan in October 2022.
Car Culture #2 VAN LIFE is a show car that embodies GAC’s vision of creating a vehicle that allows people to travel long distances and explore wherever they want. The design is compact and streamlined, optimized for efficient electrification technology that makes it a sustainable alternative to airplanes for long journeys. The car’s silhouette provides exterior living space, promoting a van life lifestyle.
One of the key focuses of VAN LIFE is sustainability, with a commitment to using and reusing existing features, reducing the carbon footprint and waste. The car incorporates a new generation solid-state battery that is safer, more efficient, longer-lasting, and more environmentally friendly than traditional lithium-ion batteries. Most of the car’s parts are made from recycled waste materials, such as plastic, aluminum, and carbon fiber, making it lightweight and range-efficient.
The interior design of VAN LIFE embodies the orbital frame concept, with a versatile structure that surrounds the cabin and enables easy attachment and detachment of various items. From basic features like bags and smartphones to customized elements like trays and a hammock, anything can be easily plugged or attached. The cabin is designed to accommodate sleeping arrangements for long journeys, and the car also features universal magsafe technology that allows passengers to charge their personal devices while using them.
One of the unique features of VAN LIFE is the modular equipment that can be installed at the front of the structure, exposed to sunlight. This natural energy can be transformed into electric power or used to warm water, making the car even more environmentally friendly.
The car’s wheel tread system is designed to maintain traction on various terrains, such as mud, sand, and rocky surfaces, allowing it to go off-road and explore remote locations. The AD navigation system takes over the driving, even in roadless areas, using the position of the stars in the sky to find its way in case there is no network.
Stéphane Janin, Director of GAC Advanced Design Milan, said, “This concept-car highlights what is great about being able to go wherever you want to. We believe that cars are not just objects that move people from A to B, but also machines that create good memories.”
