China’s GAC is known for unveiling wild concepts and its presence at the 2023 Guangzhou Auto Show didn’t deviate from that rule. The GAC ERA is a full-size SUV concept showing the automaker’s vision for the future featuring a sleek shape and coming fitted with an FCEV powertrain.
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The GAC ERA concept is larger than a Cadillac Escalade, with a length stretching to 5,413 mm (213.1 inches) and a 3,132 mm (123.3 inches) wheelbase. The styling is a collaborative effort among GAC’s global design teams including its studios in Los Angeles and Milan. The exterior is characterized by simple lines, combining an upright robust face with an aerodynamic roofline leading to a fastback-style tail.
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The full-width LED bar at the front incorporates the headlights, sensors, and cameras, positioned above a body-colored grille. The profile features suicide doors and aerodynamically shaped side skirts, while the large-diameter alloy wheels contribute to a generous ground clearance of 244 mm (9.6 inches). GAC says that the aero components are made from sustainable materials including marine recycled plastic and seaweed bio-based materials.
The interior is designed to offer a living room experience, with rotating seats at the front and a central console that transforms into a table. The rear seats have foldable extensions that can serve as leg rests or offer extra seating for more people, plus a central armrest that unfolds into a tea table. The cabin is bathed in sunset purple bio-based mycelium leather upholstery, combined with suede-like surfaces and a white wood-style texture. The dashboard is covered by a large Mercedes-style display, with a smaller screen positioned closer to the driver and touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel and door cards.
The SUV is based on GAC’s “multi-energy” architecture but unlike the majority of concepts, it is not a battery-electric vehicle. Instead, it uses hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) technology with two rear-mounted electric motors producing a combined 540 hp (403 kW / 548 PS). According to the automaker, the zero-emission driving range is 800 km (497 miles) which can be quickly replenished when connected to a hydrogen pump instead of an electric charger.
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The GAC ERA is a follow-up to earlier concepts including the fully electric TIME sedan from 2021, the hydrogen-fuelled SPACE minivan from 2022, and the fully electric Van Life autonomous, all-terrain camper from 2023. As with the previous concepts it is not expected to directly evolve into a production offering, but chances are that some of its features will be incorporated in future models.