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Eight concept cars to premiere at Shanghai Auto Show

April 22, 2015

The Chevrolet FNR will be one of eight concept cars to be on show at the Shanghai Auto Show. – AFPRelax news, April 22, 2015. In the aftermath of Geneva and New York, there are fewer novelties to report on from Shanghai where it's the concept cars stealing the show.

Chevrolet FNR

Without a doubt the most spectacular concept of this selection, the Chevrolet FNR (for "Find New Roads") bills itself as 100% electric and autonomous. Thus, the futuristic cabin has neither steering wheel nor pedals, just front seats that swivel to face the back, all features being accessible via a screen on the dashboard.

Audi Prologue Allroad

A new model in Audi's Prologue Concept series, this off-road concept, a jacked-up iteration of the Prologue Avant concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show, is plenty sporty thanks to its 724hp petrol-electric hybrid power train. These concepts serve as a prologue for the next generation of Audis.

Peugeot 308 R Hybrid

The French brand presented its 308 R Hybrid, a new AWD hybrid version of its 500hp sedan. This concept is a technological showcase for the manufacturer, featuring a combustion engine that delivers 270hp with two electric motors, mounted one on each axle both producing 115hp. The 308 R Hybrid concept needs just four seconds to reach 62mph and will top out at an electronically-capped 155 mph.

Citroën Aircross

Shanghai is the stage for the world premiere of the Citroën Aircross, another hybrid plug-in concept. Largely inspired by the C4 Cactus, it too has "Alloy Bumps," protective structures made of honeycomb aluminum castings surrounded by hard rubber and fuel-economy of 166.2mpg in hybrid mode.

Honda Concept D

Honda has presented a luxury SUV concept with an aggressive design in Shanghai, without providing any details on performance figures or technological features. This vehicle is nonetheless destined for production, exclusively in China.

Qoros 2 PHEV

The Chinese manufacturer has unveiled a new hybrid compact SUV on its home turf. The Qoros 2 PHEV is a concept headed for production with a young and urban market in mind.

Mercedes GLC Coupe

The little brother of the Mercedes GLE Coupe presented in Detroit earlier this year, the GLC Coupé is a sport SUV concept destined to replace the GLK. It packs a 3-litre direct injection V6 biturbo engine punching 367hp and sports a design directly inspired by a coupé, as its name indicates.

Volkswagen C Coupe GTE

Equipped with a plug-in hybrid system producing 207hp for an average consumption of 102mpg, the Volkswagen C Coupe GTE, measuring more than 5 metre long, most likely is a bit of a preview for the next-generation Phaeton. It's also the brand's first model to feature exterior ambient lighting.

The Shanghai Auto Show is open to the public April 22-29: autoshanghai.org. – AFP/Relaxnews April 22, 2015.