At the Shanghai Auto Show 2019, Geely showed the PREFACE Concept sedan. With frameless suicide doors and futuristic styling, the PREFACE Concept is meant to show what upcoming models from the manufacturer will look like.
Interestingly, the PREFACE Concept is built on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform which was developed by Volvo for cars like the XC40.
The PREFACE takes the ‘Expanding Cosmos’ motif from the Geely grille and plays around with it. On the front grille, it now moves to the edges, with vertical bars in the centre instead.
You see the design repeat on the bumper side intakes, and around the taillight housing too.
For more on the Geely PREFACE Concept sedan, here’s the press release.
Press Release:
Geely Auto (Geely), the largest privately-owned Chinese brand, unveiled the PREFACE Concept sedan, the brand’s first high-end sporty sedan . The PREFACE Concept further develops Geely Auto’s highly acclaimed Expanding Cosmos design language and previews the high-end, personal, sporty models that will be launched by Geely in the future.
Through the usage of the highly flexible CMA architecture from its parent company Geely Holding Group, Geely Auto is able to create a vehicle that has a sporty and elegant profile. The PREFACE combines the safety of CMA, Geely Auto’s high standard of quality, and humanized intelligent drive technologies to offer users a sportier refined driving experience. The unveiling of the PREFACE shows Geely Auto’s insight into the future market trends, in which users demand more high-end, personal, dynamic products. The unveiling of a concept sedan signals a return to Geely’s roots in sedans and the brand’s intent on setting new benchmarks in the global market.
Designed in Geely Design Shanghai, PREFACE further develops Geely Auto’s Expanding Cosmos aesthetics. Vice President of Geely Design Shanghai Guy Burgoyne commented “This is a continuation of Geely’s expanding cosmos design identity, reflecting that we have completed an orbit, but we are not simply going around again, we are sling-shotting ourselves forward, onwards to the next great challenge.”
The PREFACE Concept is designed with strong proportions; a wide wheel track and balanced wheel to wheel arch relationship, resulting in both muscular shoulders and powerful fenders. The grille has been made wider and taller than on previous vehicles, allowing it to confidently separate the headlamps, whilst black vertical lines help create the image of a floating central logo. To accentuate its sporting attributes, a slight recess has been added to the grille, giving it an extra visual bite. Clamshell doors with frameless windows add a high-tech futuristic element to the model attracting the attention of a new generation of consumers.
Through exquisite materials, simple finishes, and bright colours, the PREFACE presents a simple, pure, and tranquil interior. While remaining minimalistic, the details shows the level of high-tech craftsmanship put into the PREFACE’s interior, such as the semi-transparent instrument panel, wide hexagonal steering wheel, metal engraved buttons, geometrically lined speakers, and new ergonomically designed seats.
Filled with cutting-edge technologies, PREFACE exhibits the fast pace of Geely’s development and offers an insight into Geely Auto’s vision of the future high-end, personalized, sporty sedan. Over the next two years, Geely Auto will launch several new globally orientated products as it implements its “global refined car development strategy” that will use its recently established international design and R&D resources. The unveiling at Shanghai Auto is a preface of what’s to come.
