Chery New Journeo Concept – a vision of Travel 4.0

Although the Chinese automakers are very much focussed on developing products they can sell, they also look ahead with design studies and concept models, some of which are shown to the public to gauge reaction and get feedback to new ideas.

Some of the companies with a global presence have also set up design studios in Europe to draw on the talent pool there which has long experience in the field. Chery Automobile, for example, has an Advanced Design Centre in Germany with a 30-strong team working on designs for tomorrow’s models.

Vision for mobility of tomorrow
One concept vehicle which it has been showing off is the New Journeo Concept study, a vision for mobility of tomorrow. The electrified concept vehicle is the fourth vehicle concept from the design experts at the German facility within the Chery Group’s global development network.

The design philosophy of the Journeo embodies the spirit of adventure by combining robust off-road capability with the comfort and luxury required for family travelling. It has been developed to meet the increasing demands for urban and sustainable mobility.

Travel 4.0
“This vehicle is more than just a study – it is Travel 4.0, our vision for a sustainable and connected future. With the New Journeo Concept, we are taking up the challenge of making mobility even smarter, more efficient and more environmentally friendly,” said Jochen Tueting, Managing Director of the European Development and Design Centre of the third-largest Chinese automaker and top exporter.

With space for 4 persons, it combines off-road capabilities with luxurious comfort and can be transformed into a first-class mobile base camp at the destination, which may be far off the highway.

The 1-piece body is optimised for aerodynamic efficiency and interior spaciousness. The movable instrument panel and retractable tailgate increase the cabin length by an additional 150 cm from front to rear.

The dashboard has a minimalist design – with a yoke-type steering wheel and concealed air vents. The 180-degree rotating front seats and console move on concealed underfloor rails, allowing flexible arrangement of furnishings in this high-end mobile living room. The interior has two rows of seats with an island between them, which has a mint-coloured decor and a suede-covered floor.

A unique feature is the extendable rear bench seat, which offers 40 cm of additional space for relaxing. When extended, the rear seat can be opened completely, transforming the interior into a spacious, luxurious lounge area with an unobstructed view through the glass tailgate.

Multifunctional compartment
There is also a multifunctional, modular front luggage compartment with variable bench seating, a mobile kitchen and a barbecue. The large multi-purpose vehicle also has innovative floating air-conditioning pillars that support an ‘intelligent’ roof rack and give the roof structure a sense of lightness.

7th-generation hybrid electric system
The Journeo is proposed with Chery’s 7th generation of the Kunpeng Super Performance Electric Hybrid C-DM system. This consists of a 2-litre turbocharged engine and an electric motor coupled with a 3DHT and offers a range of up to 2,500 kms.

The concept vehicle is also equipped with the advanced CPilot 5.0. This driving assistance system intelligent scans the surroundings to support navigation at high speeds and supports the parking aid in urban areas. The plan is for the system to be able to scan unpaved roads in future and then actively and automatically adjust the shock absorbers accordingly.

Clear indicator of Chery’s design direction
“The New Journeo concept is not just a design study, but a clear indicator of Chery’s future direction.  Some of the technologies and design features are expected to be integrated into the future models, and visionary vehicle emphasizes Chery’s commitment to driving forward the mobility of tomorrow with innovative solutions,” said Tueting.

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