Two and a half years have passed since the inauguration of the GAC R&D Centre Europe, a style centre that GAC opened in Milan’s Via Tortona to prepare the ground for its European landing by refining its brand identity to strike a chord with the Old Continent’s public. The debut will come in 2026, starting with Poland and Portugal, to be followed closely by the others, including Italy, with the electric AION UT and AION V, but in the meantime the company took advantage of Design Week to present the latest concept car that sums up perhaps as effectively as ever the inspiration behind this centre.
The concept car in question is called the Ultraluxury and was conceived and built in 1:4 scale in a matter of weeks. If its technological theme is that of a self-driving luxury sedan, the styling path draws inspiration and cues from some of the most renowned design icons of the last century, not only automotive and actually not even exclusively related to the world of transport. Painted in a glossy but deep black that enhances the shapes while almost concealing the lines, the Ultraluxury pays homage to the first automobiles with aerodynamic shapes and in particular the Bugatti Atlantic of 1937, but also aircraft, such as the legendary Concorde jet plane, watches, furniture and haute couture objects.
The dramatic, extra-long doors, which open perfectly vertically and are supported by an arm and a piston at the rear, open out onto a cockpit with an obvious retro flavour: exposed wood and red leather surround and cover ultra-thinly structured seats that are actually true chaise longues, with an almost horizontal posture, joined together to form a compact block, while the controls are reduced to a futuristic vertical handle.
Perhaps the most unusual element, and the real finishing touch, is the personalised key that takes the form of a classic diamond-set ring. The latter contains the car’s recognition code, which is read by a special scanner giving access to the car, activating it and starting it. An extremely high-tech element dressed in refined elegance, but also capable of reinterpreting the taste for precious objects of the past.
