Chinese automaker GAC has come to the Milan Design Week with a concept vehicle dubbed the Van Life. Aimed at off-road adventure enthusiasts, the van is capable of traversing just about any terrain and even move autonomously, but it only accommodates two people. Mass production is not in the plans.
Strangely enough, the single-space design study only has windows around the driver’s cab, while the living area makes do with a panoramic sunroof. There are LiDAR sensors on the roof for autonomous driving and the headlights at the front are merged into a single continuous LED strip sporting a ‘pixelated’ look. The wheels are impressively sized and come equipped with extendable lugs for clawing your way out of various off-road traps.
The front part of the passenger cabin only has two seats, while the remaining space is occupied by a frame. The frame encompasses the entire interior and serves as the base for mounting assorted modular units such as storage containers, tables, and even a hammock. Suspending the furniture on the frame frees up space in the back for a full-fledged bed.
The upper part of the dash panel adjacent to the windshield can be lined with solar elements or outfitted with a water heater. Last but not least, the van has collapsible benches mounted at its sides that you can extend while camping.
From the technical perspective, the GAC Van Life is all-electric, all-wheel-drive and uses solid-state batteries. The company claims it has plenty of driving range and goes as far as to call it “an off-road alternative to a private jet”.
