After parting ways with the BMW Group in 2009, the ex-chief-creative-officer Chris Bangle, who was notably responsible for the design of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce motor cars, also stepped away from the auto industry altogether. Now, eight years later, Bangle has joined forces with Chinese electric truck manufacturer CHTC Group (China Hi-Tech Group Corporation) to reveal the REDS urban commuter at the annual Los Angeles Auto Show.

Rather than calling it a concept car, the REDS is the first phase of a manufacturing program aimed to start in the near term. Specially designed for the Chinese market, the 2.97m-long city car, which is slightly longer than a Smart Fortwo, is built using a multi-layered, design-led space-use analysis, and introduces a new visual automotive language.

“REDS breaks away from conventions. We are entering a fourth age of car design, but designers are hesitant because of the fear of doing things differently. This car is, for me, the demonstration that we can have something that is extremely emotional with immediate appeal, and at the same time highly functional and intellectually engaging,” says Bangle.

The REDS can seat four adults when moving and five when stopped, and becoming a multi-functional, interconnected working space (helped by a drop down table in development); the quiet venue for a meeting or a presentation; or a place to truly relax while enjoying a film with friends on its 17-inch screen. While not much details regarding its specifications have been announced, it is said that the REDS will have best-in-class 0-50 km/h acceleration, allowing it smoothly moves in traffic.