Concept Car Archives

Using brainwaves to control a vehicle? A future Mercedes-Benz might have it

In the near future, people will be able to travel in cars without humans having to be in control. Perhaps it can no longer be called ‘driving’ if there is no human involved and it is just ‘mobility’. Such autonomous vehicles are already in existence and will grow in numbers.

In looking ahead, Mercedes-Benz also sees way into the future where there could be new dimension of human-vehicle interaction: brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. It sounds like science fiction and it is, but some parts of the technology are already available. BCI will be a new form of machine control, perhaps not in everyday life tomorrow but in areas like medical research. Applications with BCI are considered a viable option for helping people with physical handicaps to become more independent.

Integrated with VISION AVTR
Mercedes-Benz is also looking at the possibility of BCI with vehicles and has integrated it in the VISION AVTR concept vehicle which it first displayed in January last year. It will give a preview of mind control as a new dimension of human interaction with the vehicle. This will use a BCI device attached to the user’s head analyzes the measured brainwaves and triggers a defined function. At the IAA Mobility 21 event in Germany recently, visitors were able to experience controlling the user interface in the vehicle with their own thoughts and interacting with it in real-time.

“Mercedes-Benz is setting another milestone in the merging of man and machine with the research and development of brain-computer interface applications in cars. BCI technology has the potential to further enhance driving comfort in the future, for example,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Sales. “Mercedes-Benz has always pioneered intelligent, innovative solutions to provide our customers with the best product and service experience. BCI technology works completely independently of speech and touch. This opens up revolutionary possibilities for intuitive interaction with the vehicle.”

Directly connected to the brain
The biometric interaction with the vehicle is complemented by a direct connection to the human brain. At the IAA, the first approaches to mind control based on visual perception will be demonstrated in the visionary seat mock-up of the VISION AVTR. For this purpose, light dots are projected onto the fully digital dashboard. A BCI device with wearable electrodes attached to the back of the user’s head records brain activity and establishes a direct connection to the vehicle after a one-minute calibration. The brain reacts to the visual stimuli on the dashboard.

The BCI device measures the neuronal activity at the cortex in real time. It analyzes the measured brain waves and recognizes on which light points the user directs his focus and full attention (attention-sensing interface). The stronger the focus, the higher the neuronal activity. The device then triggers the targeted function in the vehicle.

Using several functions linked to BCI technology, visitors experienced how quickly their own brain connects with the vehicle – similar to the neuronal connection between the Na’vi and the nature in the visionary Hollywood blockbuster ‘AVATAR’. By focusing on points of light, they used the power of their thoughts to perform various functions in the digital VISION AVTR worlds displayed on the dashboard: for example, generate wind, grow plants, select parking spaces to charge or turn day into night.

Concept vehicle developed with Disney
The VISION AVTR was previous presented at the 2020 CES in Las Vegas. It was the result of an extraordinary global collaboration between entertainment company Disney and Mercedes-Benz. The name of the concept vehicle stands for ADVANCED VEHICLE TRANSFORMATION which looks at mobility in the distant future.

The stretched ‘one-bow’ design and organic design language combine exterior and interior into an emotional whole. Sustainable materials such as vegan DINAMICA leather made from recycled materials, fast-growing Karuun (rattan) that can only thrive in biodiversity, and organic, compostable battery technology create a closed-loop economy.

33 bionic flaps on the back of the vehicle can communicate with the outside world – with and through the driver – using naturally flowing movements in subtle gestures. Instead of a conventional steering wheel, the VISION AVTR has a multifunctional control element in the centre console. By placing the hand on the control, the interior comes to life and the vehicle recognizes the passenger by their heart rate. Simply raising the hand projects a menu selection onto the palm of the hand, allowing the user to intuitively choose between different functionalities.

The biometric connection enables a completely new interaction between man, machine and nature in the autonomous-driving concept vehicle. Continuing development of the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant and the zero-layer concept of the MBUX Hyperscreen have already simplified vehicle operation. In future, BCI technology could make it possible to relieve the user even more, in order to be able to focus on the driving experience.

Mercedes-Benz puts a ‘Home Theatre’ in the car cabin

CUPRA Tavascan Extreme E Concept shows next evolution of e-SUV

CUPRA, the high-performance brand of Spanish carmaker SEAT, was the first carmaker to join the Extreme E all-electric off-road series that started this year, entering in partnership with ABT Sportsline. The 3-year old brand’s involvement is to enhance its R&D while promoting electrification, sustainability, and also gender equality (the series requires each crew to have one male and one female, both to having driving roles).

While the e-SUV used during the current season of Extreme E is one which is common for all teams, CUPRA is already looking ahead when it can develop its own machine. It will become the second manufacturer to use its own bodywork for its team, and Tavascan Extreme E Concept shows what the racing car will look like.

Future design language
It also hints at the design language to be used in the future production CUPRA Tavascan which will be the brand’s second fully electric model designed and developed in Barcelona, Spain and will reach the market in 2024.

“We strongly believe in the Extreme E project as a whole,” said Antonino Labate, Director of Strategy, Business Development and Operations at CUPRA. “Electrification, sustainability, gender-balance and diversity are common values between CUPRA and Extreme E. The CUPRA Tavascan Extreme E Concept is clear proof of the hard work that we’re doing at CUPRA in order to be able to compete next season.”

Completely redesigned exterior
The Tavascan Extreme E Concept integrates a completely new exterior design with 100% CUPRA DNA and a holistic approach to natural material use making it more sustainable, adaptable and easy to repair. The front and rear design has changed considerably from the vehicle that is racing in the first season of Extreme E.

LED technology delivers greater freedom to produce a vehicle with CUPRA DNA, with the headlights in groups of three triangles on either side providing a more imposing look. The LED lighting is set into a 3D-printed frame – a technology chosen to gain a competitive edge. The 3D-printed parts can be manufactured in just 6 hours, meaning the team can adapt to changes very quickly. Whether it’s because of an incident or changes to the light position, the components can be modified in a very short time without the need for cumbersome and expensive tooling.

3D-printed elements for bodywork
“The CUPRA Tavascan Extreme E Concept is the next evolution of our all-electric off-road racing car with even more CUPRA DNA and a design that hints at the brand’s future direction. But it also delivers technical advancement too,” said Head of Technical Development at CUPRA Racing, Xavi Serra. “The concept car uses flax fibres throughout the bodywork to improve sustainability and 3D-printed elements that can be quickly recreated to keep the race car out on the track.”

Constructing as much of the body structure as possible from flax fibres – extracted from the flax plant – reduces the use of carbonfibre components and the vehicle’s impact on the environment. The material can be worked in the same way, achieving the same shapes and radii required by engineers, and is a technology that could easily be adapted for production vehicles.

The e-SUV concept is finished with copper accents – a time-honoured CUPRA mark – parametric texturing and dynamized lines to help the exterior shimmer and move as the vehicle shifts through the landscape, and an overlapping CUPRA logo to create a powerful 3D effect.

“I am delighted to see CUPRA launch the Tavascan Extreme E concept as it enables it to become the second manufacturer to use its own bodywork for its Extreme E team. This move not only injects added style and personality into the series, but also supports our goals for Extreme E to prove itself as a global marketing showcase for partners, as CUPRA prepares to launch this model to consumers in the future,” said Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E.

*The e-SUV used by the ABT CUPRA XE team in the first and current season of Extreme E .*

Extreme E Arctic X Prix: Like nothing the motorsport world has ever seen (w/VIDEO)

Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS for the new generation of customers

There was a time when SUVs – vehicles for driving off the highway in rough terrain – would not have been seen as being relevant in the luxury class. Those who bought luxury cars wanted comfort and generally cruised around cities and travelling on highways to their mansions in the countryside. But times have changed and as SUVs became more comfortable and more ‘civilised’, just about every segment started to have one or more. And even Rolls-Royce has a SUV (the Cullinan), along with Bentley.

Mercedes-Maybach, also in that same stratospheric segment of the market, therefore could not ignore offering a SUV as well and while there is the very capable G-Wagen, it is not exclusive enough in concept so the brand has designed its own model based on the modular architecture for luxury and executive-class electric vehicles. This will be the brand’s second SUV after the GLS 600 4MATIC which was launched in 2019.

With the Concept EQS, Mercedes-Maybach is providing a preview of a future SUV model which will be appropriate for the brand as it joins the journey into a zero-emissions future of motoring. “Many of our Mercedes-Maybach customers are digitally connected to a high degree and place the highest demands on our digital solutions. They also expect the brand of their choice to stand up for sustainable values and take responsibility for the environment. The Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS fulfils all these points and embodies sophisticated luxury in a more progressive way: the all-electric powertrain not only makes consistently sustainable mobility possible, but also enables a new level of calm and relaxation for passengers,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Marketing & Sales.

‘Near production’ model
The design is said to be ‘near production’ and shows identifying features that are characteristic of Maybach – such as the elaborate two-tone paint finish. It also has elements from the Mercedes-EQ family that is all-electric, with the appearance consistently following the concept of ‘purpose design’. The transition to a new technological era is recognisable at first glance.

Continuous transitions, without breaks and edges, characterise the seamless design. The expressive surface modelling and muscular shoulders are further characteristic features. And numerous chrome applications set brand-characteristic accents. The pronounced wheel wells with cladding in high-gloss black emphasise power and emotionality.

The upright black panel front also flows seamlessly into the wraparound bonnet and headlights. The LED light units showcase the lighting with individual diamond blocks framed with a fine-knit mesh of the Maybach emblem. The classic Maybach lettering on the front bonnet, the upright Mercedes star and the longitudinal chrome-plated trim strip in the centre of the bonnet are a tribute to tradition.

The aerodynamically optimised side running boards bear a customised inlay with the Maybach emblem. Generously dimensioned 24-inch light-alloy wheels in the Maybach ‘bowl’ design – with 5 short spokes and a flat centre section – as well as Maybach lettering, emphasise the exclusive appearance.

“With the Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS, we’re transforming the brand into an electric future after 100 years. In conjunction with the new-style aerodynamic SUV proportions, we’re completely redefining the luxury SUV of the future,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group.

Emotional and stylish statement
The interior of the Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS is just as emotional and stylish a statement as the exterior – realised completely virtually. The lounge character promises luxurious travel at the highest level. The front seats show parallels to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The First-Class rear suite with two generous individual seats – also inspired by the S-Class – as well as the High-End Rear Seat Entertainment System will offer the highest level of comfort on board. And because the SUV concept allows for more seat height, the calf rest could be made even larger.

Plenty of freedom of movement

The centre console appears to float like a continuous ribbon from the cockpit to the rear seats, creating a particularly light and elegant impression of space with plenty of freedom of movement. In combination with many indirect and direct ambient lighting features, the impression of space and interior components appear visually lighter and also seem to float.

The standard vase insert invites you to bring seasonally appropriate floral decorations and thus nature into the interior of the Maybach. Underneath, a large storage area offers plenty of space for utensils or for individual equipment options such as folding tables, a box of champagne goblets or a refrigerated compartment.

Newly designed door panels with floating armrests and controls with the appearance of elegant sideboards emphasise the simultaneously luxurious and modern character of the interior. The concept for colours and materials has been inspired by the world of fashion. Perfect craftsmanship, high-quality materials and extraordinary details show a new level of exclusivity.

For the concept model, the colour combination of white and a deep, dark blue creates a spacious and technically sophisticated environment. A special highlight is the trim element in a white chrome look. Its rosé gold-coloured pilaster strips follow the shape perfectly. Additional rose gold-coloured accents create an ideal contrast and contribute significantly to the luxurious feel of the interior.

Another unexpected contrast is brought to the interior by a fashion-inspired, progressive textile of the highest quality. It is used generously around the rear-seat area, while flashes of it also appear in further details in the interior. A progressive graphic printed on leather in the roof liner area demonstrates the perfect fusion of a traditional luxury material with modern technology.

Maybach-specific display styles
Needless to say, the dominant MBUX Hyperscreen is present up front, with Maybach-specific display styles and content. This large, curved screen unit is composed of 3 screens under a glass cover that appear to merge into one.

With adaptive software thanks to artificial intelligence, MBUX adapts completely to its user. It makes personalised suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions. With the zero-layer menu, the most important applications are always offered on the top level within the field of vision, according to situation and context. Searching through submenus is no longer necessary.

The market launch of the production version of this Maybach SUV is not known but the company says that its powertrain will be similar to another all-electric SUV, the EQS, will be in showrooms in 2022. What is already known about this EQ SUV model is that it will be a high-performance model with two powerful electric motors to give all-wheel drive. A range of 600 kms is expected, depending on usage conditions.

2021 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (Z223)

Lower-priced Volkswagen ID.LIFE to help increase adoption of EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) have had the added cost of new technology making them a bit more expensive today. In times, prices will certainly fall as volumes rise and better economies of scale enable manufacturers to offer them at lower prices. European carmakers, in particular, are accelerating towards electrification so being able to offer more attractively priced EVs will help them in achieving their goals of wider electric mobility.

Volkswagen’s ACCELERATE strategy is speeding up that transformation making sustainable mobility accessible to even more people by 2025, a whole two years earlier than originally planned. By 2030, Volkswagen aims to increase the share of all-electric models in total vehicle sales in Europe to at least 70 % and in North America and China, to at least 50%.

New entry-level model
As part of that strategy, the company is developing a new model in the small car segment. The model, called the ID.LIFE, will be part of the ID fully electric family. This vision of a fully electric small car for the urban environment is centred around people and communal experiences. The model is being shown in concept form at the IAA Mobility 2021 event this month.

“The ID. LIFE is our vision of next-generation fully electric urban mobility. The concept car provides a preview of an ID. model in the small car segment that we will be launching in 2025, priced at around 20,000 euros (under RM100,000). This means we are making electric mobility accessible to even more people,” said Ralf Brandstatter, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. “In creating the ID. LIFE, we have consistently focused on the needs of younger customers. We believe that, even more so than today, the car of the future will be about lifestyle and personal expression. The customer of tomorrow won’t simply want to get from A to B; they will be much more interested in the experiences that a car can offer. The ID. LIFE is our answer to this.”

Simplified design
The design of the ID. LIFE is strikingly clear, simplified and of high quality even though it will be at the entry level. Decorative elements and add-on parts are dispensed with, as is any complex mix of materials. The horizontal division between the body, glass surfaces and roof also contributes to the car’s purist appearance. An individualised and removable roof made of air chamber textile lends an open-air feeling in the ID. LIFE, while also reducing the vehicle weight.

The ID. LIFE is based on a smaller variant of Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) that has been developed specifically for the small car segment. This is the first time a vehicle based on the MEB has front-wheel drive. A single electric motor provides power to the front wheels.

With its 172 kW (equivalent to 234 ps) electric motor, the ID. LIFE is claimed to be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, while its 57 kWh high-voltage battery will give a range of some 400 kms.

“The ID. LIFE proves once again how uniquely flexible the MEB is. The platform is suitable for vehicles of all types, from small cars to vans,” said Thomas Ulbrich, member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for Development. “It’s the most scalable electrical architecture in the industry. We’re just beginning to tap into the potential of MEB. Performance, charging capacity and range will continue to improve with each new model and software update.”

Natural and recycled materials
The sustainable character of the ID. LIFE is reflected particularly in the choice of materials and paint finishes. In the clear coat for the bodywork, wood chips are used as a natural colouring agent along with a bio-based hardener. The air chamber textile for the roof and front cover is made from 100% recycled PET bottles.

Within the cabin, wood in the dashboard and rear seat surrounds is combined with ArtVelours Eco for the seat surfaces and door trims. Bio-oil, natural rubber and rice husks are just some of the materials that serve as a basis for the tyres on the ID. LIFE.

Multifunctional interior
The ID. LIFE is proposed as a ‘reliable companion’ for digital experiences of various kinds. For example, it can easily be converted into a cinema or gaming lounge. The car has a videogame console and projector, as well as a projection screen that extends from the dash panel when required. Other devices can be connected as needed to the 230V/16A power supply.

The seating design is also extremely flexible, in keeping with the idea of the car as a ‘companion’ for all situations and lifestyles. For instance, the front seat bench can be completely folded down, as can the rear seat bench. This enables a range of different possibilities, from cinema seating to a bed measuring around 2 metres in length, to a cargo version that maximises luggage volume.

Cameras and a display replace both the exterior and interior mirrors. Essential driving functions are controlled via a touch panel on the hexagonal, open-topped steering wheel, and a smartphone can be integrated in the operating system. Personal devices – whether smartphones or tablets – can be used to operate the navigation system. Music, films and games stored on the device can be used seamlessly, with visuals displayed on the projection screen.

Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more about Volkwagen models in Malaysia

Volkswagen’s Trinity project to produce more capable electric cars by 2026

Audi grandsphere concept shows Audi’s future electric flagship and technology

Audi calls it ‘the private jet for the road’, offering the sort of suite you would find in First Class in an Airbus A380. Called the grandsphere, it’s the second of three ‘sphere’ concept cars from the brand, following the skysphere concept unveiled last month in California. The shared root word ‘sphere’ in their names emphasizes all three designs’ focus on the new interior concept and the holistic digital ecosystem for a new world of experience on board.

Prioritising the cabin in design
In fact, the drive system and the handling are no longer at the top of the design specifications in this future generation of cars. Instead, the starting point is the interior, the occupants’ living and experience sphere while traveling. Their needs and desires shape the space, the architecture, and the functions.

With that reassessment, the design process itself changes. At the beginning of all discussions, the focus is directed toward the interior and its design. Only after that do the Audi designers conceive the package, exterior lines, and proportions that shape the car into a total work of art, along with the technological premises.

Preview of a future luxury model
The grandsphere concept is presented as a luxury car of the future and Audi confirms that the technologies and design features in it will appear within a few years in future models. Among the technologies will be Level 4 autonomy, which means the car will be able to operate on its own without human control. Audi is working with CARIAD, the Volkswagen Group’s software think-tank, toward introducing that technology in the second half of the decade.

Having autonomous capability for the car allows the interior space of the traditional driver-oriented cockpit and passenger seats to be changed into a spacious lounge as soon as the steering wheel and pedals are reduced. At the same time, it opens up new levels of freedom in interaction, whether they want to communicate, work or just be on their own. Audi believes this transforms a traditional automobile into an ‘experience device’.

Thanks to Audi’s own services and the ability to integrate digital services, the possibilities are nearly endless. These can be used to access a variety of service options related to the current trip – such as designing a spectacular scenic route, as well as restaurant or hotel options. The vehicle also takes care of everyday tasks that go beyond the journey itself. For example, the grandsphere concept can pick up its passengers with information about their current destination and independently handle parking and charging.

The doors of the grandsphere concept are reversed so front and back touch and there is no B-pillar in the middle. Even before arriving at the car, the passengers are provided with a pathway identification that opens the doors and welcomes them with individually staged displays and ambient light. The driver and passenger positions are automatically detected and an array of personal comfort features – such as the climate control settings and the seats – are adjusted for the individual seats.

At the same time, the infotainment system accesses the passengers’ most recently used services and seamlessly resumes them inside the car. For instance, a video that a passenger was streaming on a tablet is automatically played back over the display surface. On the driver’s side, the projection surface automatically picks up on displaying the news the occupant was reading before getting in.

Unique space for four
The open, broad interior supports the impression of a unique space and the lack of a steering wheel, pedals, or conventional dashboard create a feeling of openness and breadth. The lines on the decorative surfaces and functional elements are emphatically horizontal. The large glass surfaces, expansive windscreen and transparent ceiling also emphasize the open feeling, along with the specific geometry of the side windows where the widest part is just slightly above eye level. It is a trick that Audi demonstrated for the first time in 2017 with its AI:CON concept car.

The 2+2 interior appears particularly wide when the two individual front seats are pushed all the way back. An upholstered, 2-person bench with an armrest that goes around the side is integrated as a seating option in the back, while both front seats are designed for first class comfort and space.

Outlets for air that is filtered and temperature controlled – even scented, if desired – as well as speakers that are inaudible to other passengers and allow for a private aural zone are all integrated. Between the front seats – normally concealed under metallic trim – there is a compact, onboard cooler with two glasses and a designed, elegant bottle for soft drinks.

No screens, no displays unless wanted
One surprise when looking around in the ‘reduced-design’ interior is the absence of instruments nor black screens for virtual display concepts are visible before activating the driving functions. This is a contrast to many visions of future vehicles which have screens to provide information and entertainment. However, the displays are still present; with the touch of a fingertip, they appear in the form of projections on the wooden surfaces under the windscreen.

2021 Audi grandsphere concept — Interior

Alternatively, the projection surfaces can also be used – in automated driving mode – as CinemaScope screens for infotainment content or even as screens for video conferences. In addition, a sensor bar is integrated under the projection surfaces for quick switching between content such as music or navigation.

Control panels are also integrated into the armrests on the doors. That way, the car always offers passengers invisible touch surfaces using an optic indicator to show their position. At the same time, there are VR glasses in the armrests on the left and right doors that can be used in conjunction with infotainment options.

Dynamic monolith
At 5.35 metres long, 2 metres wide, and 1.39 metres high, the grandsphere concept’s measurements are comparable to Audi’s flagship A8. However, it has a longer wheelbase of 3.19 metres, which is even longer than the extended version of the current A8. Its form is nothing like a traditional sedan, but rather more like 4-door GT born in the wind tunnel.

In the front end, there is an innovative interpretation of the Singleframe that defines Audi’s look. Shaped like a flat hexagon, the interior surfaces, behind a transparent covering, are indirectly lit from above while driving to give a distinctive, extremely 3-dimensionally structured visual effect.

The headlight units on the upper side of the Singleframe look narrow, like focused eyes. The lighting units reference the four rings brand logo: they enlarge and isolate the intersection of two rings into a pupil – a new, unmistakable digital light signature. This means that the size of the light areas can be adjusted according to their function as daytime running lights or as dynamically staged blinkers, depending on the traffic situation.

Drive system with quattro, of course
The technology platform of the grandsphere is what is known as the Premium Platform Electric, or PPE. It has been conceived exclusively for battery-powered electric drive systems, with the key element being a battery module between the axles that holds around 120 kWh of energy. A flat battery layout is possible with the entire base between the axles.

Being an Audi, the grandsphere would also have a quattro drive system, in this case a fully electric one. This is achieved by having separate electric motors mounted on the front and rear axles that use electronic coordination to deliver all-wheel drive on demand. The 2 motors in the concept car are capable of delivering a total output of 530 kW/960 Nm, taking the car from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 4+ seconds.

Fast charging, high range
Like other carmakers, Audi is also working hard on the issue of recharging since this is something that cannot be long for electric cars to be accepted. In the case of the grandsphere concept, there is 800V charging technology and the battery can be charged with up to 270 kW in a very short time at fast-charging stations. The time taken will be close to that of a car with a combustion engine pumping in liquid fuel. A 10-minute charging period would be enough to power the car for more than 300 kms, it is claimed, with a maximum range of more than 750 kms with a fully-charged battery pack.

Audi Charging Hub concept could be refuelling station of the future

CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept

CUPRA, the high-performance subsidiary of Spanish carmaker SEAT, has revealed the design language that will be used for its urban electric vehicle (EV). Instead of just sketches, the company has built a full-sized prototype which it calls the CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept that will be displayed at the IAA Munich International Motor Show this month.

The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is designed as a racing car to push the limits in a radical interpretation of an urban electric car. Having a racing car as the basis for the design is because Racing is at the core of CUPRA’s DNA.

New electric car to be launched in 2025
“The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is a radical interpretation of the company’s urban electric car, due to be launched in 2025. This racing concept gives an idea of the design language of the future street-car and will inspire its creation” said Wayne Griffiths, CEO of CUPRA. “It builds on the design foundations of the 100% electric urban vehicle, that will be launched in 2025.”

This racing version will influence the road version of the urban electric car, but the core elements are enhanced to give the vehicle an even more rebellious character. At the front, the shark nose was created using a negative surface. The front face is also emphasized by the new triangular signature in the headlamps.

Its wraparound window graphic generates the visual effect of a helmet – as in the CUPRA Tavascan Concept – and gives continuity between the windows around the whole car to deliver the effect of a floating roof.

Moving to the side, the car shows athletic proportions, thanks to the wedge line – from the C-pillar to the front door – with diagonal sculptural surfaces., that create tensional contrast. The rear view of shows athletic shoulders, in a new interpretation of the design seen in the CUPRA Formentor.

Influence from virtual world
The rear features an iconic design, thanks to horizontal proportions. On top of that, the large spoiler – usually seen on racing cars seen in the virtual world – gives it an imposing sharp look underlined by the negative surface beneath it.

“The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept injects a gamification look to the racing car, projecting a radical interpretation of the company’s urban electric car,” said Jorge Diez, CUPRA Design Director. “Each contoured line and sculpted surface in the design is brought to life by a livery that uses kinetic particles to add movement to the surface as light shifts across it.”

Volkwagen MEB platform for EVs
The car’s overall length is 4080 mm, with a width of 1795 mm and height of 1444 mm, which makes is slightly larger than a Volkswagen Polo but smaller than a Golf. It sits on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB (modular electric drive matrix) platform engineered for EVs. The output for the concept car is said to be 250 kW of continuous power and up to 320 kW at its peak. The factory claim for the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is 3.2 seconds.

*Volkswagen Group MEB platform designed for electric vehicles.*

The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is more than just a preview of a new model for CUPRA. It also involves the rest of the Volkswagen Group, which SEAT is part of. “The urban electric car is a key strategic project not only for our company, but also for the Volkswagen Group, as our aim is to produce more than 500,000 urban electric cars per year in the Martorell factory in Spain for different Group brands. The urban electric car will democratise and make accessible electromobility to the masses,” said Griffiths.

SEAT to use CUPRA high-performance brand for first electric car

MINI STRIP – showing a sustainable approach to automotive design and manufacturing

It’s all about sustainability today, using materials and processes that do not deplete and to preserve the environment for future generations. In the auto industry, sustainability is pursued seriously in all areas and with the MINI STRIP, the British brand showcases inspirational ideas for a more sustainable method of automotive design.

A custom-made, one-off model co-created by MINI and Paul Smith, a well known fashion designers, the MINI STRIP is guided by the theme of ‘Simplicity, Transparency, Sustainability’. As the name suggests, the process began by completely stripping down a MINI Electric and reducing it to its structural essence. Only then were the elements that the designer viewed as absolutely necessary defined and implemented – with sustainability as the top priority.

Incidentally, the original Mini was also a model of simplicity, with a very basic but functional design that was space-efficient as well. Sir Alex Issigonis, the designer, made it easy to build and even thought that placing the speedometer in the centre would simplify having lefthand drive and righthand drive versions. It’s a feature which continues to this day in the modern MINI though not for the same reason.

An outside perspective
As a designer with a passion for bicycles, books and much more, Smith asked questions that provided fresh energy to explore beyond the obvious. The joint design process applied the principles of maximum reduction, to produce a minimalist, high-class design with a fresh and unconventional appeal.

Raw materials are a very deliberate part of the exterior design – the body was left in its unfinished state with no coloured paint applied, but instead just a thin film of transparent paint to protect against corrosion. Grinding marks from the factory have been consciously left intact on the galvanised steel panels to clearly identify the car as a functional object. This intentionally rough-hewn effect was dubbed ‘the perfect imperfection’ by Smith.

‘Unaffected expressiveness’ of the materials
Parts of the MINI black band have been 3D-printed from recycled plastic and their basic material qualities have been left exposed – like the metal panels. Visible screws in the add-on parts show how simple dismantling would be and how easily the vehicle could be reincorporated into the raw-material cycle at the end of its service life. The functional and distinctive front and rear apron inserts were also manufactured via a 3D printing process, which produced their striking texture.

The blanked-off radiator grille and its wheel covers help to reduce drag, thereby increasing its theoretical range. The grille trim and aerodynamic covers on the wheels are made from recycled Perspex, saving both weight and resources. Recycled perspex was also used for the large panoramic roof that allows curious eyes to view the largely bare structure of the bodyshell inside.

‘Simplicity and Transparency’ inside
Smith calls the MINI STRIP a ‘classic with a twist’ – both refer to unexpected details that are only revealed through the designers’ work at a second or third glance. Opening the doors reveals the signature Paul Smith stripes in a vivid composition of 5 colours; the charging flap adds a splash of neon green when opened, while the engraved drawing of an electric plug on the flap is Smith’s own work.

Inside, all trim parts have been purposefully omitted (with the exception of the dashboard, topper pad and parcel shelf), turning the bodyshell into the dominant visual feature of the cabin. It has been coloured blue at the explicit request of Smith, producing a particularly eye-catching effect. The exposed, basic material and intense blue tone give the interior an aesthetic appeal all of its own; it is bare yet feels ‘dressed’ at the same time.

Instead of the usual multi-part design, the dashboard consists of one large, semi-transparent section with a smoked-glass finish. Taking its cue from MINI design’s traditional use of circular elements, the geometry has been simplified with a graphical interpretation. However, the classic centre meter is omitted, leaving the driver’s smartphone to take centrestage instead. It is placed where the centre display would normally be, connects automatically to the car and becomes the media control centre. The only physical controls in the interior are located lower in the centre stack, where the toggle switches for the power windows and the start/stop function can be found.

Innovative materials

Alongside the minimalist design inside the MINI STRIP, the use of recycled, environment-friendly materials also underpins the car’s sustainability credentials. The interior is free of both leather and chrome, with the seats upholstered in a knitted fabric. The completely mono-material design for the seat coverings means they are fully recyclable – including the piping – allowing material circularity to be maintained.

The floormats are made from recycled rubber with their terrazzo-like pattern a by-product of the recycling and manufacturing process, positively showcasing the multi-coloured constituent elements enjoying a second life as part of this material.

Minimalist and functional
The steering wheel, which is also a focal point of the interior, has been reduced to the most essential functions. Its rim has been wrapped in handlebar tape in true road bike style. Three aluminium spokes connect the rim to the steering wheel’s impact absorber, whose mesh covering makes it possible to see the airbag behind.

As on the outside of the car, there are visible screws showing how easy it would be to dismantle the steering wheel at a later date and reuse the aluminium. The door panels are made from the same mesh material that covers the airbag, enabling the door structure to be clearly seen behind the mesh panels, which are held within a frame. The transparency of the knitted mesh changes according to the angle of view, adding a further dimension to the interior’s appearance.

The pull handles in the door shoulders are made from wound climbing rope and, together with the matching seat belts, liven up the interior with their bright orange finish. Like the pull handles, the door openers in milled aluminium are housed in the cork door shoulders and provide a high-class finishing touch for the door area.

As the eye wanders further up the door, it arrives at the exposed airbag unit in the roof pillar. This has the same effect as the visible cable routing in the interior – deliberately drawing attention to functions that are normally concealed during manufacture.

The MINI STRIP translates MINI’s ‘Creative Use of Space’ philosophy into a radical and fundamental redesign of a MINI – especially in the interior. As such, it can provide a catalyst for more sustainable use of resources in automotive design.

MINI Vision Urbanaut concept

Audi unveils the Skysphere roadster concept

Going fully electric is like starting all over again in designing cars. Many of the constraints developed over the years by the conventional combustion engine and drivetrain no longer need to influence the design, and new approaches can be taken. There are also new technologies and materials to use, providing greater efficiency, safety and comfort.

Audi, like other carmakers who are rapidly electrifying their range, has been developing new models for this new ‘electric age’. With its products catering to the upper end of the market, the focus is on luxury models and the company has a new family of concept vehicles to show the world how its future designs will be.

The three Audi concept cars are the Skysphere, Grandsphere, and Urbansphere, and the common use of ‘sphere’ in their names refers to the space surrounding the passengers. Thus, much attention has been given to interior design.

The Skysphere is the first one to be revealed and its unveiling took place this Friday at Audi’s new design studio in California, where it was conceived and designed. The concept car will also be on display from this Friday at the Monterey Car Week in the same American state.

A roadster with variable length
The Skysphere has the form of a roadster and offers two different driving experiences: a grand touring experience and a sports experience. This makes use of a technical detail – the variable wheelbase. Electric motors and a sophisticated mechanism with body and frame components that slide into one another make it possible to vary the wheelbase itself and the exterior length of the car by 250 mm. At the same time, the ground clearance is adjustable by 10 mm to enhance comfort and driving dynamics.

With the touch of button, the driver can choose either the 4.94-metre long e-roadster in ‘Sports’ mode with a reduced wheelbase, or be chauffeured around in a 5.19-metre GT in the autonomous ‘Grand Touring’ driving mode. In both modes, the open top maximises the sense of freedom.

Lightweight strategy keeps weight to 1,800 kgs
Under the long bonnet are the electric systems and components, with most of the mass situated between the front axle and the windscreen line. An electric motor is positioned on the rear axle, delivering 465 kW (632 ps)/750 Nm to enable acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h in a projected 4 seconds. An aggressive lightweight strategy helps keep the overall weight of the large car to around 1,800 kgs, with 60% on the rear end.

The Skysphere’s battery modules are primarily positioned behind the cabin – an ideal configuration for the centre of gravity and agility. Additional modules can be found between the seats in the center tunnel of the interior – another position chosen in favour of vehicle dynamics. The battery’s capacity is expected to be more than 80 kWh, giving a range of more than 500 kms using the most economical mode.

Steer-by-wire
The steering system is steer-by-wire and controls both the front and the rear wheels. Because the system is not mechanically connected to the front axle, the driver can select different steering ratios and steering settings, all at the touch of a button. This allows the steering to be adjusted from extremely direct to comfortable, while high self-aligning forces can be changed to minimal self-aligning forces when parking, for example. The rear-axle steering and adaptive wheelbase also contribute to the car’s small turning radius.

The latest evolutionary stage of Audi’s adaptive air suspension has been implemented in the concept car and features 3 independent air chambers to provide a comfortable base suspension. Individual chambers can be deactivated for a more sporty ride with fast acceleration. The result is that the characteristic curve of the spring becomes more progressive, reducing roll and pitch to a minimum. Lowering the body by 10 mm reduces aerodynamic drag – particularly relevant when driving long distances.

Two dashboard layouts
Within the Skysphere, control elements such as the steering wheel and pedals can be swiveled into an ‘invisible’ position and thereby completely absent from the interior. This adds to the spacious environment inspired in many areas by the Art Deco universe. The comfortable seats boast the visual elegance of designer furnishings, yet fulfill the functions of a car seat in driving mode without any compromises. They are upholstered in sustainably produced microfibre fabric and, thanks to their variable position in the interior, offer the kind of freedom to move and legroom that can otherwise only be experienced when flying first class on an airplane.

Should the driver be in control, then the interior transforms into an ergonomically perfect driving machine cockpit. Together with the chassis and body, the instrument panel and the monitor panel on the centre console also move to the rear. Large touch monitors are used to manage the car and infotainment systems. In Grand Touring mode, this can be used to display content from the Internet, video conferences, or streamed movies.

A few weeks later, the second concept car, the Grandsphere, will be presented at the 2021 IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany. In the first half of 2022, the Urbansphere will follow as the third concept car, perhaps at an event in China.

Three new concept cars show design of Audi’s future luxury models

Designing the Porsche interior of the future

Regardless of whether we continue to be in control driving cars or a computer does the driving, the interior of a car will remain an important aspect of car design. In fact, as autonomous motoring grows, the driver may spend less time at the steering wheel and more time with the other occupants. In this case, the cabin layout may have to change to be more suitable.

The Renndienst study
At Porsche’s Weissach Development Centre in Germany, designing interiors is just as important as exteriors and for interiors, the User Experience (UX) is a vital part of the brand experience. In the book Porsche Unseen, the sportscar manufacturer recently published fifteen previously secret design studies. Among them is the Renndienst study. The 6-person van concept is reminiscent of the Volkswagen racing service van that once served the factory racing team as a service vehicle. On the outside, it’s futuristic and edgeless but on the inside, it’s a modular travel cabin.

For the Renndienst study, the designers at Style Porsche journeyed far into the future of mobility. They considered design visions for the day after tomorrow in order to derive steps for tomorrow. They asked themselves how far they can expand Porsche’s design language and to which products it could be applied.

“We thought about how we could still give a distinctly Porsche flair to a passenger compartment that is so far removed from the classic sports-car interior. And how autonomous driving could be designed, but we don’t assume that our customers want to give up using a steering wheel,” chief designer Michael Mauer explained. “In order to be able to think freely about the future, boundaries must be crossed when carrying out these ‘finger exercises’. This is how the central driver position of the Renndienst came about.”

“When I want to drive, I have more cockpit feeling than in any other car. And when I don’t, the driver’s seat can be rotated 180 degrees—with one swivel, it turns to face the other passengers. We worked on materializing these basic ideas for about a year,” he elaborated further on the study.

Looking at next overall innovation
The overall UX, when it comes to interior design, is dedicated to the digital lifestyle and the relationship between driver, passengers, and vehicle. “In the Taycan, we have shown how much we think ahead,” said Ivo van Hulten, Director of UX Design. “So we were looking at a possible next overall innovation. For this, we thought and worked from the inside out.”

The side windows are designed asymmetrically. “One side is closed; passengers can retreat there,” explained Markus Auerbach, Head of Interior Design. “The other side enjoys a large window bank for an unobstructed view outside. When we close the doors, the interior feels like a protective capsule.”

A feeling of security and comfort dominates the modular interior. The passengers in the first row sit offset to the right and left in ergonomically shaped bucket seats. They can enjoy an unobstructed view of the road ahead and of their own dashboard screens. The rear seat headrests are installed in a floating position, which allows a clear view through the rear window. The luxury of adaptable space is made possible by the powertrain which is fully electric and hidden in the underbody.

UX as a success factor
The customers of the future will be the smartphone generation. “In the past, the hunger for something new was satisfied with the purchase of the product. Today, many young people are no longer just fascinated by the aesthetics of a product, but by the opportunities it offers them,” said van Hulten.

The aesthetics of the interior therefore depend on many more factors than just shapes and materials. “The questions are: Is the interior modular enough to adapt to changing circumstances even a few years after purchase? Will I be able to run updates remotely and around the clock?” Van Hulten is confident of finding answers in the form of a new aesthetic.

“A digital journey can open a gateway to a universe for us, but it can never replace the physical experience. A car is a space that moves whether I’m driving it myself or not. The seats in this van have been designed for movement; they hold and support the body,” added Auerbach.

“The bench seat allows a different sitting angle due to its curved sides—we can turn towards each other. It is a particularly communicative area that invites relaxation, offering alternative seating positions for talking, working, and relaxing,” he explained.

The visions on which the specialist departments work together are complex because they design spaces where people sit. “Cars with an unsatisfactory interior do not survive for long – because no emotional connection can be built with them,” Auerbach noted.

Inspired by ‘Knight Rider’
In the next step, van Hulten wants the Renndienst to gain a soul. He remembers the American TV series Knight Rider, which he enjoyed watching as a child. “K.I.T.T., the talking car, fascinated me. The strong team of the protagonist and his vehicle really captured my imagination. I connected with the car because it had a soul,” he said.

Referring to the study, he asks the question: “What kind of daily interactions do we plan – in 30 years, will we call our car and then it will come around and pick us up?” From this grand vision of the day after tomorrow, the design team is now moving backwards in time to get the specific answer for tomorrow.

The materials of the future under consideration include renewable resources such as wood, reinterpreted and combined with metals or sustainable plastics. Wood was once banished from vehicles but could soon make a comeback. Auerbach also relies on what are known as ‘smart materials’ which can do something special—for example, such materials can respond to external factors and light up without being directly illuminated. Or materials that repeatedly change their shapes to perfectly fit the ergonomics of the occupants.

The designers constantly keep their minds fresh with the ‘first principle thinking’ method. In doing so, they move away from familiar analogies and break hypotheses down into their smallest components. They focus not on familiar forms but on functions that might be of interest in the future. They ask themselves what a Porsche could be—and what it could not be. This process provides answers to questions that no one has asked before.

Prototypes and studies Porsche has never before shown to the public

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Concept Recharge – a manifesto for the next generation of all-electric Volvos

Since the 1970s, Volvo Cars has displayed many concept cars and design studies. Many have been just studies while a handful, like the ECC of 1992 and the XC60 Concept of 2007, have been previews of near-term production models. In many cases, if you look at the new models that come out, there will be elements of concept cars in their design even if the concept car’s looks do not become a reality.

New paradigm in car design
With the Volvo Concept Recharge, the Swedish carmaker is giving a preview of its new paradigm in car design, a manifesto for the next generation of all-electric Volvos to be led by the next XC90 SUV to be launched next year.

True to the heritage of Scandinavian design, the Concept Recharge has the mantra of ‘less but better’ at its core. For example, with an electric powertrain removing the complexity of the internal combustion engine, the designers have been able to evolve the car’s proportions to increase interior space while also improving aerodynamic efficiency.

Architecture purely for electric powertrains
This isn’t Volvo’s first range of electric cars but before this, the designers have had to utilise architecture developed with combustion engine-powered cars in mind. That meant that the full benefits of an electric powertrain were not exploited as there was a need for a balance in proportions and space to be able to accommodate both a battery pack and an internal combustion engine.

The Concept Recharge breaks free of this association, using a completely new electric-only technology base. By removing the engine and replacing it with a full battery pack under the flat floor, the designers have extended the wheelbase and the wheel size of the car. The result is shorter overhangs, as well as a lot more interior space including a large storage area between the front seats.

In the Concept Recharge, these advancements have led designers to reposition the seats, optimise the roof profile and lower the bonnet of the car, while retaining the high eye point beloved by drivers of SUVs. This approach creates efficiency gains in aerodynamics compared to a typical SUV, which improves range.

New Volvo design language
This concept car also introduces a new Volvo design language. Continuing the theme of ‘less but better’, all unnecessary elements have been removed and what remains is treated with a high-precision, flush execution.

The traditional grille has been replaced with a shield-like structure; there is no longer the need for openings in the nose to let air in to help in cooling the radiator and engine. At either corner is a new interpretation of Volvo Cars’ Thor’s Hammer headlight design. These lighting units include the latest HD technology-enabled pure graphic which open at night to reveal the main lamp units.

The rear view also shows signature slim vertical rear lamps which first appeared on the 850 Wagon in the late 1990s. A visual connection to the brand’s strong design heritage, they have been reimagined with a set of wings that extend at higher cruising speeds to further improve overall aerodynamics.

“Our Concept Recharge represents a manifesto for the all-electric future of Volvo Cars, as well as a new type of vehicle,” said Robin Page, head of design. “It displays new and modern proportions that go hand-in-hand with increased versatility and shows what technology can enable in terms of design.”

New user experience inside
The Volvo design language also takes a new form inside. The flat floor provides more space and a better seating position for all those inside the car. A large, 15-inch standing touchscreen is the centre of the user experience for the company’s next-generation connected infotainment system.

“Inside the Concept Recharge, we create a truly Scandinavian living room feeling,” said Page. “The interior integrates our latest user experience technology with beautiful, sustainable and natural materials. Each part of the interior is like a piece of art and could stand alone as individual furniture in a room. We use the latest technologies but not for their own sake. We always focus on the benefits that technologies can bring.”

It doesn’t need to be said that the Concept Recharge also reflects Volvo Cars’ safety ambitions in coming years. A LiDAR sensor, built by technology company Luminar and a critical part of Volvo Cars’ plan for forthcoming safe autonomous drive technology, is placed in an optimal position on the roof to collect data on the environment around the car.

Next Volvo XC90 to have LiDAR technology and AI-driven supercomputer as standard

Piston.my

Concept Car

Using brainwaves to control a vehicle? A future Mercedes-Benz might have it

CUPRA Tavascan Extreme E Concept shows next evolution of e-SUV

Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS for the new generation of customers

Lower-priced Volkswagen ID.LIFE to help increase adoption of EVs

Audi grandsphere concept shows Audi’s future electric flagship and technology

CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept

MINI STRIP – showing a sustainable approach to automotive design and manufacturing

Audi unveils the Skysphere roadster concept

Designing the Porsche interior of the future

Concept Recharge – a manifesto for the next generation of all-electric Volvos

Using brainwaves to control a vehicle? A future Mercedes-Benz might have it

CUPRA Tavascan Extreme E Concept shows next evolution of e-SUV

Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS for the new generation of customers

Lower-priced Volkswagen ID.LIFE to help increase adoption of EVs

Audi grandsphere concept shows Audi’s future electric flagship and technology

CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept

MINI STRIP – showing a sustainable approach to automotive design and manufacturing

Audi unveils the Skysphere roadster concept

Designing the Porsche interior of the future

Concept Recharge – a manifesto for the next generation of all-electric Volvos

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