Honda has revealed the exterior and interior styling of its Prologue battery-electric vehicle (BEV) that will go on sale in North America in 2024. The model, with a SUV bodystyle, is one of the two BEVs which the Japanese carmaker will co-develop with GM.
GM will supply its flexible global BEV platform powered by its proprietary Ultium batteries, and also build the BEVs at its plants in North America. The second model is planned for launch in 2027, by which time the companies will be looking at the start of ‘global production of millions of BEVs.
It’s hard to imagine that parents can take their children out in a car and forget about them after parking and getting out. But from the periodic news reports of children being trapped in cars because their parents forgot about them, it does happen – and sometimes a tragic death occurs.
US government statistics show that since 1998, more than 900 children in America have died after being left in hot cars. Heartbreakingly, a majority of hot car deaths occur because someone forgot that their child was in the car at the time. No statistics are readily available for Malaysia but it does happen too.
Volvo as a safety pioneer has given this matter attention and used its technological expertise to develop a system which can help ensure that no one will be left behind or forgotten. It’s a radar system for use inside the cabin and also covers the boot compartment. The radar’s sensitivity is strong enough to detect the tiniest movements at sub-millimetre scale – such as those of a sleeping toddler or even a pet.
Back in 2008, Tata Motors introduced what was then the cheapest car in the world – the Nano, which cost around U$S2,200 then. It was intended to enable more people in India, especially families, to travel in a safer 4-wheeler than a 2-wheeler. Unfortunately, despite being cheap, it did not catch on and sales were poor so it was discontinued after 10 years.
Nevertheless, the company’s founder has long wanted to help his countrymen and does so in various ways and Tata Motors has again come up with a low-priced electric car. Tata Motors, having been a pioneer in EVs in India, has used its expertise to produce an EV at a cost low enough to price it from 8.49 lakh (about RM48,000). However, this is an introductory price for the first 10,000 buyers from October 10 when the car – known as the Tiago.ev – goes on sale.
Continuing with its electrification drive forward, Peugeot has added battery electric versions of the latest 308 generation to its line-up. To be available in 2023 in Europe in hatchback and stationwagon bodystyles, the e-308 and e-308 SW join the plug-in hybrid versions already available. The e-308 SW is one of the first fully electric stationwagons from a European carmaker.
The new cars have the latest Peugeot design language with the brand’s new badge proudly displayed in the centre of the grille. However, the bonnet is longer, with fang-shaped light signature framing the Matrix LED headlamps and the 3-claw LED lights at the rear to identify the models as part of the Peugeot family.
Jeep, which began as the name for a military vehicle before becoming a brand name, will go fully electric by the end of this decade. Although it already has some electrified (hybrid powertrains) models, it will only introduce battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by the end of 2025.
As part of its ‘Dare Forward 2030’ long-term strategic plan, 100% of European sales will be BEV models by the end of 2030, while 50% of Jeep brand sales in the USA will be fully electric by then. All four new BEV models will be SUVs.
Jeep recently released the first images of two pf the forthcoming BEVs – the new Recon and new Wagoneer (codename Wagoneer S), while confirming that the all-new Avenger will go on sale launch in Europe early next year.
2023 Recon
Currently, Jeep has been enjoying success with its 4xe plug-in hybrid models – the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee – and are drawing on the technology for the BEVs being developed. The electrification plan will also expand the Wagoneer portfolio which will have powertrains targeted to give up to 500 kms of range. The Wagoneer S will be a global BEV model and production will start in 2024 in North America.
With the ID.4 GTX that Volkswagen launched in May last year, the company showed that ‘performance’ can also be associated with battery electric vehicles (BEVs), just as combustion engine models have performance variants. A member of the brand’s BEV range, it is the first fully electric high-performance model that is said to add a new dimension to sportiness and dynamics. Just as ‘GTI’ has been used to identify Volkswagen’s performance models, ‘GTX’ will do likewise with the electric vehicles.
To show that there is still much potential to extend the performance envelope, Volkswagen has come out with the ID. XTREME concept car based on the ID.4 GTX. This is the most powerful ID model yet revealed and shows the performance potential and versatility of the modular electric drive matrix (MEB).
Equipped with all-wheel drive, the ID. XTREME combines the strengths of a modern SUV with the sense of adventure embodied by a rugged off-road vehicle. It was created by the team of Andreas Reckewerth (Head of overall vehicle) in the Volkswagen Development department.
Following the signing of its General Distributorship Agreement (GDA) with smart last month, Proton has established a new subsidiary company to handle sales and distributorship for the smart vehicles which are available only with battery electric powertrains.
The new company, known as Proton New Energy Technology Sdn. Bhd. (PRO-NET), will also be responsible for Proton’s own future new energy vehicle (NEV) offerings. ‘NEV’ is a term which originated in China around 2010 and refers to vehicles which are electrified (including plug-in hybrids). The category was created to facilitate the provision of incentives to boost development and sales of electrified vehicles.
The new smart #1 battery electric vehicle that will go on sale in Malaysia next year.(more…)
Before finally appearing in showrooms and being delivered to customers, one of the final stages in the development of a new model is extensive testing in all kinds of conditions representative of the real world. The testing will identify areas that need to be improved or changed and also validate many operating parameters.
Every manufacturer has a similar process and at Kia, the new EV9 is going through this final phase. As the model designation indicates, this is an electric vehicle (EV) and will be the second dedicated EV from the Korean carmaker after the EV6. Its launch date is set for the first quarter of 2023 so there’s about 6 months left to complete testing.
In March 2022, the Audi RS Q e-tron won its first desert rally in Abu Dhabi, an important achievement for an electrically-powered vehicle. Audi was the first carmaker that committed to develop a viable alternative drive concept for the gruelling event, making it a pioneer in motorsport.
The original RS Q e-tron development had been rushed as it had to be done during the difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 and limited testing opportunities. However, with the experience and learnings from that tough first event, Audi Sport’s engineers have developed a new and significantly improved prototype which will be entered in the 2022 Morocco Rally and the 2023 Dakar Rally.
“We’ve managed a good debut at the Dakar with the Audi RS Q e-tron and even our first stage victories in a motorsport discipline that is new to us,” said Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH and responsible for motorsport at Audi. “The entire team is working excellently together and pulling in the same direction. As is usual at such an early stage, the drivers, co-drivers and technicians quickly agreed on the next development targets. We have summarized the result in a new evolution package – the RS Q e-tron E2.”
Main components of the first RS Q e-tron
Second phase of development program Reminiscent of the legendary Audi Sport quattro in its final development stage for Group B rallying in the 1980s, the body is completely new and features significantly enhanced aerodynamics. It also has a lower weight and centre of gravity.
“The Audi RS Q e-tron E2 does not adopt a single body part from its predecessor,” said Axel Loffler, Chief Designer of the RS Q e-tron. In order to comply with the prescribed interior dimensions, the cockpit, which was previously narrowly recessed towards the roof, is now significantly wider. The front and rear hoods have also been redesigned.
“We are now doing away with the underflow of the rear hood to the left and right of the B-pillars. In conjunction with modified lay-ups – optimized fabric layers of the composite materials – this solution reduces weight,” said Loffler.
The T1U prototypes will have to weigh 2,100 instead of 2,000 kgs in the future. Given that the first generation of the RS Q e-tron was overweight, it was still necessary to save several dozen kilograms. This is accompanied by the lowering of the vehicle’s centre of gravity.
New aerodynamic concept The aerodynamic concept in the area of the body below the hoods is completely new. This section is somewhat like the shape of a boat’s hull: its widest point is at the height of the cockpit, while the body tapers significantly towards the front and rear.
The designers dispensed with the part of the fenders that was behind the front wheels and formed the transition to the door. Internally, this structure was called the ‘elephant foot’ and as a result, it saved more weight and optimized the airflow.
“The aerodynamic aspect should not be underestimated in desert rallying either,” said Axel Loffler, Chief Designer of the RS Q e-tron. “Admittedly, the new cockpit dimensions mean that the body has a larger and therefore less favourable cross-section. Nevertheless, it was possible to reduce the overall aerodynamic drag by around 15%. But this does not change the top speed, which remains limited to 170 km/h in the regulations.”
Nevertheless, the improved airflow offers one major advantage. “It further reduces the energy requirements of the electrically powered car,” explained Loffler. “We implemented the aerodynamic calculations entirely using computational fluid dynamics. These computer simulations replace the time-consuming work in the wind tunnel and still deliver highly precise results.”
Simplified operation in the cockpit The drivers can look forward to their new workplaces. The displays are still in the driver’s field of view and located in the centre console in the usual style, and the central switch panel with its 24 fields has also been retained. However, the engineers have restructured the displays and controls.
They can also work much more easily when there is a puncture, which is not uncommon in off-road events. Simple, flat and easily removable body components replace the previous bulky covers for the spare wheels in the flanks. The new 10-spoke rims are much easier to handle, making the change of wheels safe and quick.
New operating strategies further improve the efficiency of the electric drivetrain. The drivetrain of the RS Q e-tron E2 comprises an energy converter consisting of an internal combustion engine and a generator, as well as a high-voltage battery pack. Two electric motors are used to power the front and rear axles.
Better energy management Energy management plays a crucial role here. The electronic control system of the complex electric drivetrain proved its worth in the first rally events and issues only occurred in extreme cases. At the Dakar Rally, for example, it was noted that there were short-term surpluses of power in situations where the wheels made less contact with the ground while jumping or on uneven terrain.
The so-called auxiliary consumers also benefit from optimized control. The servo pump, the air-conditioning cooling pump and the fans have a measurable impact on the energy balance. In the course of the debut season this year, the Audi and Q Motorsport rally team gained valuable experience that enables better assessment.
The air-conditioning system, for example, works so aggressively that it could cause the coolant to freeze when constantly running at its maximum output. In the future, the system will run in an intermittent mode. This saves energy, yet the interior temperatures only fluctuate slightly, even over longer periods.
“We have combined all the important lessons in a very short time. The result of our ideas is the E2 evolution,” says Uwe Breuling, Head of Vehicle Operations Audi Sport. “Our development team’s determined and cost-efficient work has prepared us perfectly for our second Dakar Rally.”
With the VISION 7S concept, Skoda is providing a preview of an all-new battery electric SUV as well as the Czech brand’s new design language. There is also a new brand logo which no longer uses sculptural 3D graphics, a response to a growing shift in marketing activities from print to online.
The 7-seater VISION 7S SUV, which is 3 to 4 years from appearing in Skoda showrooms, sits on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electrification Kit (MEB). Proposed with an 89 kWh battery pack, it has a projected range of over 600 kms.
With the new design language comes the ‘Tech-Deck Face’ at the front end with a a solid underbody and aerodynamic roof lines. The Tech Deck Face embodies a modern reinterpretation of the familiar Skoda grille. Though it has similar lines, the appearance is significantly flatter and wider than the previous styling. The ribs have been replaced by dark glass that conceals the vehicle’s sensors.
The redesigned SKODA wordmark replaces the brand’s picturemark and is complemented by a new ambient light strip. This extends across the entire width of the vehicle at the upper edge of the front section and features illuminated graphics.
The robust bumpers are made of durable, recycled tyres. This material is also used for the wheelarch linings and adds a rugged visual highlight. Seven vertical air intakes are integrated into the front, through which air is directed to the cooling systems and brakes, and another nine vertical air outlets are in the rear bumper.
A control element in bright Flashy Orange is located in the centre of both the front and rear. These can be pulled out to serve as hooks. In addition, they can be used to safely cut off the vehicle’s high-voltage current from the outside, if required.
A high tornado line separates the solid underbody from the side windows and emphasises the powerful shoulder sections through its curve. The squared-off wheel arches beneath it are prominent and clearly recessed. Within them, the wheels are aerodynamically optimized rims and almost completely closed.
Additional air outlets are positioned between the wheel arches and above the side skirts. These act as running boards for the portal doors that swing up in opposite directions and also have cover grilles. These grilles channel the warm air generated from cooling the high-voltage battery pack to the outside.
The flat roofline gently slopes to the rear and merges with a pronounced roof spoiler for high aerodynamic efficiency. The triangular D-pillar extending to the rear features a bold design; at the bottom, it bears the new SKODA wordmark, which also appears on the tailgate and is lit up in the same way as at the front of the vehicle.
The minimalistic interior is as spacious as the exterior proportions of the Skoda concept suggest. The sense of security further enhanced by the combination of dark and light materials. These are leather-free (mostly from sustainable sources) and are extremely durable, thanks to some smart material combinations.
One example is the floor, which is also made from recycled tyres. The interior trim is also sustainable and coated with a fine, matt metallic layer, thus conserving valuable resources. The fabrics are made of 100% recycled polyester yarns.
Great emphasis was placed on further optimising usability. In addition, the vehicle’s menu structure and infotainment functions have been streamlined, and the controls on the central, free-standing touchscreen, as well as haptic keys for important or frequently used functions, are particularly intuitive.
In front of the central screen on the instrument cluster is a large crystal that indicates the battery and charging status using different colours. This can be seen easily from outside the Skoda SUV.
The position of the childseat may seem unsuitable from the safety point of view but it is actually in the safest place in the vehicle. It is integrated into the centre console, which extends to the second row of seats, opposite to the direction of travel. This means the child is optimally protected, and the passengers in the second row can always keep an eye on him or her.
An optional interior camera in the rear roof area can also transmit a video of the child to the central infotainment display. This makes it possible for the driver and front passenger to see the little ones on board at all times.
The VISION 7S also introduces a new series of ‘Simply Clever’ features, well known in Skodas. For example, the air vents on the dashboard work in a discreet, diffuse mode until more direct ventilation is needed. Passengers will also find magnetic surfaces under the floating centre console, where metal Skoda drink bottles or a first-aid kit can be securely attached. There are also backpacks that are magnetically attached to the seat backrests, easily taken off when leaving the vehicle for a hike.
“The VISION 7S is the forerunner of our new design language that we’ll be rolling out across the entire product portfolio over the coming years. We’ll also be using it to sharpen our customer appeal; with the new styling, we are taking the brand to the next level and aligning it to our customers’ new needs and expectations, particularly regarding UX (user experience), connectivity and the entire customer journey,” said Martin Jahn, Skoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing.
