If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Porsche’s design studio should be feeling very appreciated right now. The latest electric sedan to draw unmistakable inspiration from the Taycan comes from China, wears the name Shangjie Z7, and—if early reports are accurate—costs about as much as a lightly optioned German compact car.

Shangjie has begun rolling out official images and teasers of its upcoming Z7 sedan, and the resemblance to Porsche’s electric four-door isn’t subtle. From the sweeping roofline to the muscular rear haunches, the Z7’s silhouette reads like a Taycan that’s been run through a “slightly different, legally distinct” filter. It’s not a photocopy, but it’s close enough that you’d do a double take at a stoplight.

The headlights, to be fair, go their own way. They don’t mimic Porsche’s signature four-point motif, and that alone may be enough to keep the lawyers at bay. But step back a few meters and squint, and the overall effect is clear: this car wants to tap into the Taycan’s visual gravitas without asking Taycan money.

And that’s the real hook. Chinese media report that the Z7 is aimed squarely at younger buyers, with a rumored starting price under 200,000 yuan—roughly €24,600. For context, the actual Porsche Taycan starts at around 918,000 yuan in China, or about €113,000. That’s not a gap; that’s a canyon.

The Z7 is being developed by HIMA—short for Harmony Intelligence Mobility Alliance—and will be sold under SAIC’s Shangjie brand. HIMA is essentially Huawei’s automotive brain trust, bringing together several Chinese automakers including Seres, Chery, BAIC, JAC, and SAIC. Vehicles born under this alliance already wear names like Aito, Luxeed, Stelato, and Maextro, and the common thread is heavy integration of Huawei’s software, connectivity, and driver-assistance tech.

Design-wise, HIMA hasn’t exactly been shy with the Z7. A dark teaser image practically traces the Taycan’s side profile with a highlighter: coupe-like roof, flush door handles, and pronounced rear fenders that look ready to house a wide set of tires. Even the shape of the doors themselves feels eerily familiar. Around back, the rear glass and full-width light bar lean so heavily on Porsche’s playbook that the word “homage” starts to feel generous.

Up front, though, the Z7 does carve out some identity. Beyond the different headlight design, there’s a prominent LiDAR unit mounted above the windshield—a clear signal that advanced driver-assistance systems, and possibly hands-off driving features, are a priority. That’s a reminder that while the Z7 may borrow its look from Stuttgart, its soul is firmly rooted in China’s tech-forward EV ecosystem.

Things get even more interesting when you factor in reports of a wagon variant. Chinese outlet Autohome has snapped spy photos of what appears to be a Z7 estate, heavily camouflaged but unmistakable in its proportions. The long roof, sloping rear, and overall stance draw obvious parallels to the Taycan Sport Turismo. Porsche’s electric wagon is a niche favorite among enthusiasts; seeing a budget-friendly Chinese interpretation could make it far more mainstream—at least in its home market.

As for what’s under the skin, HIMA is keeping quiet. No specifications have been released, leaving open questions about performance, range, and drivetrain options. The Z7 could slot in as a direct rival to Xiaomi’s SU7, another Taycan-adjacent electric sedan that has already made waves. The SU7 starts at 215,900 yuan (about €26,500), and early versions boast serious performance credentials. If the Z7 lands in the same neighborhood, it could turn the segment into a full-blown price war.

One thing is certain: whatever numbers eventually appear on the spec sheet, the Z7 will undercut Porsche by a massive margin. It’s offering the Taycan’s sleek, low-slung aesthetic at a price that makes Western buyers do a double take—and maybe a little math to see how many Taycan options you’d have to delete to get close.

Whether the Z7 ends up being a genuine driver’s car or simply a compelling visual facsimile remains to be seen. But as China’s EV industry continues to blur the line between inspiration and imitation, one thing is clear: Porsche’s design language has become a global template—and not everyone is charging six figures for it.

Source: Car News China