SAIC Shangjie reveals Z7 model's design direction as brand moves upmarket

Monika From Gasgoo

Gasgoo Munich- At a recent media preview event, SAIC Shangjie, a smart new energy vehicle brand built by SAIC Motor in collaboration with Huawei, unveiled the exterior design of its upcoming Z7 sedan for the first time, offering a close look at the production model. The Z7 marks the brand's entry into the premium segment and is positioned as a coupe-style sedan aimed squarely at younger buyers, with a targeted price range of 250,000 yuan to 350,000 yuan.

Image source: SAIC Shangjie

According to the company, the Z7 is built around a design philosophy it calls "urban aesthetics." The physical proportions are central to this approach. The car features an extended hood, a wheel-to-body height ratio of 0.5, and a wheelbase-to-wheel diameter ratio of roughly 4:1. Together, these proportions visually lower the car's center of gravity and create a wide-shouldered, low-slung stance intended to reinforce its sporty coupe identity.

Aerodynamics also played a defining role in the Z7's development, with engineers adopting what the brand describes as a "wind-shaped" design approach. Several targeted measures were introduced to manage drag. The roof-mounted lidar has been integrated more tightly into the body, reducing its height by 3.3 mm to better balance driver-assistance capability with aerodynamic performance. At the front, the car combines an active grille system with air curtains, while the windshield curvature has been optimized to support the optical path of the head-up display. At the rear, a sculpted surface treatment—paired with a tapered D-pillar design, flared rear wheel arches, and 275 mm-wide tires—aims to stabilize airflow and enhance the vehicle's planted look.

Image source: SAIC Shangjie

Design details further underline the Z7's premium ambitions. The headlamp units incorporate 408 laser light elements combined with split-lens optics, while the rear features a full-width taillight with a faceted, geometric finish. Once it hits the market, the model is expected to offer consumers a broad range of personalization options, including at least five wheel designs and nine exterior paint colors.

SAIC Shangjie has not yet disclosed the Z7's official launch timing or final pricing, leaving those details to be confirmed closer to market debut.

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