Electric cars riding high on Tech and Design Innovation
Byton SUV K-Byte
The Byton K-Byte Concept that made its global debut in Shanghai this year is designed for the age of autonomous driving. It comes with Level 4 autonomous driving program, expanded windows and sunroof, innovative C-pillar design, and an intuitive user interface that turns the vehicle into a living and working space. In its current stage, the car is 85% production-ready and production is expected to begin in late 2019. How much will all this cost? According to an Engadget, the price of admission for a base model will be around $45,000. Battery capacity of the car is 71 or 95 kWh for 250 miles (400 km) or 323 (520 km) of range.
Vision Mercedes Maybach 6 Cabriolet
Designed as an electric car, the Maybach 6 Cabriolet’s drive system has an output of 550 kW and a range of over 500 km/s. Measuring almost six meters in length, it incorporates the classic proportions of art deco design with its long bonnet. The interior offers the feeling of a 360-degree open-air lounge, while biometric sensors record the state of mind and health of the passengers. It measures nearly 18.7 feet long and 6.9 feet wide, yet offers just two seats. The wheels stand 24 inches tall. Although the 6 Cabriolet runs on battery power (its solitary nod to the future) and therefore lacks an engine, the hood makes up about half the car’s length.
Renault EZ Ultimo
Renault has unveiled the EZ-Ultimo, its all-electric, self-driving luxury limousine concept designed for short journeys. The concept completes a trio of autonomous vehicles from the French carmaker showcasing its vision of the future. Unveiled recently at the Paris Motor Show, the EZ Ultimo is a robot-vehicle concept that’s autonomous, electric, connected, and comes with a shared mobility service solution. Equipped with level 4 autonomous driving technology, it can adapt to an urban environment, to the motorway or to a shuttle service on dedicated roads. The EZ-Ultimo has a 499-km range and features level-four autonomy, which allows a car to drive it in most scenarios. It seats up to three people and is 5.8m long, a similar length to Rolls-Royce’s Phantom.
Infiniti Q Inspiration
The Q Inspiration Concept brings a production-ready VC-Turbo power train, autonomous drive technologies, and a unique human-centric interior together to enrich the experience for driving a luxury sedan. The interior comes with a touch screen for each passenger and can also monitor passenger biometrics. As a concept, being more rooted in norms extends to the Q Inspiration’s mechanicals too, of which it actually has some? Far from explaining away the actual propulsive bits of the car through a mysterious black box attached to terms like ‘electrified’ and ‘zero emissions’, Infiniti actually fitted it with their newest production engine that’s due to have its market debut in the all-new QX50, where it generates 200kW and 380Nm.
Nissan Xmotion
This dramatic three-row SUV concept shows off Nissan’s design direction for 2020 and beyond. The exterior features a powerful presence with understated sculptural beauty and all-terrain type design. Inside, the displays and infotainment system can be controlled by gestures and eye movements. The SUV model is a three-row, six-seater with seven digital screens in its cabin, including one that spans the width of the dashboard, so also serves to demonstrate Nissan's expectations for future cabin technology. It’s a different story if Nissan decides to build a production model. Should that happen, I think Nissan’s going to opt for either a hybrid or electric technology. My first inclination is a powertrain similar to the one the IMx crossover reportedly has, specifically two "high-output" motors, one for each axle, that produce 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque combined. The powertrain also has a high-capacity battery that’s supposed to return a driving range of more than 372 miles per charge.
Envision Energy EV Concept
An electric car with a 75 KWh battery, the four-door luxury sedan can store as much electricity as an average European household consumes in a week. Powered by Envision’s IoT platform, it not only connects to a network of renewable energy assets but also communicates and shares energy with other vehicles and homes, enabling clean and affordable electricity in a smart future energy system.
