Shanghai Volkswagen unveiled the Neeza (the name originates from 'Ne-zha', a mystical Chinese figure who had magical weapons and fought evil spirits) at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

While taking styling cues from the Audi Q7 and even the Mercedes R-Class, the VW Neeza is a little shorter than either of these at 4.85m. The VW Neeza has been designed in China for the Chinese market and, although obviously a VW Group product, contains elements of design more suited to the Chinese. The front grille with its heavy chrome surround is reminiscent of the VW Phaeton, but no Phaeton grille incorporates traditional Chinese window engravings.

The Neeza concept has just five seats thus ensuring maximum space and comfort for those occupants. The front seats can be swivelled round to face those in the rear (when parked of course) and access to the rear is enhanced by the 'suicide' rear doors hinged at the rear, Rolls-Royce Phantom style. The impression of space is furthered by the large panoramic roof which provides a bright interior. That's if the red and cream interior isn't already bright enough of course. It looks like something Gerry Anderson would have designed in the 1960s; a '60s view of the 21st century. Although even he couldn't have imagined the purple neon lighting!

VW describes the Neeza as a cross between a sports coupé and an estate with off-road appearance, which is just how Mercedes-Benz describes its R-Class, but think of this as more a potential Ford S-Max competitor by the time the design elements filter into production.

In typical concept car style, the Neeza is not short of gimmicks, which may or may not one day become mainstream. In this case, there is no radio, satnav, DVD system, in car phone or anything like that. Instead, the Neeza has a 'Magic Box' which is intended to serve as an interface for radio, navigation systems, mobile phone, personal organiser and those other devices we'll be using in our cars in the near future.

Trevor Nicosia - 22 Nov 2006