Geely Auto unveils boxy yet futuristic Concept Icon at 2018 Beijing Motor Show

Geely Auto Group, the Chinese carmaker that also owns Volvo Cars, has unveiled to the global public the new Geely Concept Icon at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show (Auto China 2018). A new futuristic concept car, the new Geely Concept Icon explores the extent that the Chinese carmaker could stretch its design DNA to deliver a distinctive offering for its customers in the future.

The carmaker designed the Concept Icon through the use of a simple yet refined design language which focuses on two guiding stars: “high tech” and “inspiring.” Its development was done at Geely Design’s studio in Shanghai. The project – led by Guy Burgoyne, the center’s design chief and Vice President of Geely Design China – was meant to see how Geely’s DNA could explore new territories by considering the needs and wants of the next-generation customers.

To create the new Geely Concept Icon, designers had to ponder the definitions of an “icon” and fused all of the answers into the carmaker’s mobility solution, Burgoyne said. He added that the new concept car needed to visually look like an icon.

This is why the Concept Icon shied away from the modern, traditional crossover shape and adopted flatter, blocky form inspired by the 8-bit. In line with the design of present devices and gadgets, the surfaces and graphics of the Concept Icon were reduced to their minimalist form – in which in its more complex and technology-laden interior is cleverly concealed by a simple exterior.

Thus, the new Concept Icon started from being a simple canvas, and the carmaker gradually added more intricate design elements. These elements include the infinity loops on the headlights and rear lamps. These infinity loops are found on other sections of the Concept Icon, like through the glass roof. Also simplified for the Concept Icon is the brand’s signature expanding cosmos grille, which now assumed a flattened form but still manages to help identify the futuristic design study as a Geely vehicle.

Inside, the new Geely Concept Icon boasts of a cabin with every section indicating advanced technology. Interestingly, the concept car features a central binnacle seamlessly subdued behind the woven decoration.

When not being used, this central binnacle fades away, so as to draw the attention of the driver to the central infotainment area. Screens are found on the front center of the forward cabin, as well as on the rear section of the front seat headrests. Likewise, the new Concept Icon features the so-called Energy Hub floating console seen first in the Geely Bo Rui GE.

According to a report by Autocar, the new Geely Concept Icon is underpinned by Volvo's CMA platform that’s also seen on the new Volvo XC40.