One of the surprises of the 2009 Shanghai auto show was the Chana E301 Concept from Chongqing Changan Automobile - a manufacturer more commonly known for making everyday vehicles like the Mondeo, Swift and 2 in joint ventures with Ford, Suzuki and Mazda.

Forget its notional EV aspect - no more details are explained in the press info for this vehicle billed as part coupe, part SUV and part pick-up - the 301's most interesting details are its boldly angular exterior styling and unusual two-plus-one interior seating arrangement with enclosed luggage tunnel in place of the fourth seat space behind the driver.

The aggressive look starts where the bodywork wraps around the inset ultra slim headlamps and connects up to the equally recessed front air intakes to create two sharp and symmetrical black graphics within the white bodywork. The wraparound windshield creates a clamshell roof and dramatic gull-wing-doors hinge halfway down their height and feature see-through lower sections. At the rear the symmetry turns to asymmetry as the roof tapers to one side to reveal a sliding horizontal hatch that hides the aforementioned luggage space. This space can also be accessed by a pick-up-style tailgate.

Inside, the grey, white and black cabin is accented with fluorescent yellow and a good feeling of space is created via slim seats, organic-looking bone-like seat bases, and an arch-shaped centre console with 'major air' behind it.