Prototype Archives

The First Range Rover Electric Prototype Is Being Tested on Frozen Lakes

The Range Rover Electric prototype models are undergoing extensive global testing, ranging from frigid -40°C in the Arctic Circle to scorching +50°C in the deserts of the Middle East.

Breaking new ground for Range Rover, a novel traction control system has been developed to deliver outstanding performance on icy or low-grip surfaces. Unlike traditional traction control systems housed solely in the ABS unit, the Range Rover Electric utilises a decentralised approach, assigning the wheel slip management task directly to each individual electric drive control unit.

This innovation dramatically reduces torque reaction time at each wheel, from approximately 100 milliseconds to as little as 1 millisecond.

This cutting-edge software, developed internally by JLR, enables precise speed control of the Electric Drive Units (EDUs) to effectively manage wheel slip, thereby minimising the need for ABS intervention.

The result is optimised traction on all surfaces, with exceptional responsiveness and refined handling, elevating the overall driving experience of the Range Rover. This system seamlessly integrates with stability control and chassis systems to provide an even smoother and more refined driving experience.

While specific performance details for the new Range Rover have not been disclosed yet, it has been assured that it will retain the renowned “go-anywhere” capability of the ICE version. The Range Rover Electric is expected to offer towing, wading, and all-terrain capabilities that surpass any other luxury electric SUV, including the ability to wade through water depths of up to 850mm.

The suggestion that the Range Rover Electric will deliver performance comparable to the existing V8 model implies a total output close to the 515hp offered by the V8. It is anticipated to feature a dual-motor system, enhancing its four-wheel-drive capabilities and incorporating systems like torque vectoring to enhance its off-road prowess.

Honda Civic RS Prototype: Manual Gearbox, Stealth Appearance

Honda has showcased the 2024 Honda Civic RS Prototype at the Tokyo Auto Salon, providing a preview of a sporty trim for the hatchback featuring a manual gearbox. This variant aims to fill the gap between the standard versions and the high-performance Civic Type R, offering Japanese buyers a more engaging driving experience.

The Civic RS Prototype comes with a striking full-black livery, contributing to its stealthy and sporty appearance. The redesigned front bumper with sharper surfacing and slimmer side intakes stands out, complemented by red RS emblems on both ends for added contrast against the black paint. While maintaining the bodywork and alloy wheels from the standard Civic Hatchback, the visual enhancements give the new trim a softer, Type R-inspired look.

In the US market, the Honda Civic is already available with a six-speed manual gearbox, but Japanese customers are currently limited to the CVT automatic transmission. In our market, we have the 1.5L turbocharged RS with the CVT and the 2.0L e:HEV RS with an e-CVT. However, Honda has announced that the manual-equipped Civic RS will launch in Japan in the fall of 2024.

While the company has not provided details about the powertrain, it is likely to feature the non-electrified turbocharged 1.5-litre gasoline engine. Additionally, Honda has hinted at “further refinements to the joy of driving,” suggesting a revised chassis setup to complement the sportier aesthetics.

The Japanese-spec Civic RS is expected to align with the US-spec Civic Si in terms of performance features. The US model includes a limited-slip differential, rev-matching technology, stiffer springs, revised dampers, thicker stabiliser bars, larger brakes, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine producing 200hp. The introduction of the manual-equipped Civic RS in Japan reflects Honda’s commitment to offering diverse options for driving enthusiasts.

Togg Unveils Near-Production Prototype T10F EV – 429hp, 600km Range

Togg, the Turkish electric car manufacturer, took the stage at CES 2024 to unveil the near-production prototype of their highly anticipated T10F electric fastback sedan, slated for release in 2025. With a design philosophy that transcends traditional automotive boundaries, Togg positions the T10F as more than just a car – it’s a “connected smart device.”

Design

The T10F, following in the footsteps of its T10X crossover sibling, boasts a striking design characterised by a fully enclosed grille adorned with chrome accents, resembling tulip petals. The LED headlights, flanking the grille, are complemented by boomerang-shaped daytime running lights, while a large central intake and triangular air curtains contribute to the aerodynamic profile.

Moving to the rear, digital side mirrors, flush door handles, and a pronounced shoulder line enhance the sleek silhouette. The contrasting black roof and a curvaceous rear end, featuring a slender light bar, complete the exterior aesthetic.

Inside, Togg has integrated cutting-edge technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 29-inch widescreen infotainment system taking centre stage. A lower 8-inch display, focused on climate controls and phone contacts, adds to the futuristic cockpit. Togg emphasises the T10F as their inaugural model to offer a heated steering wheel, enhancing driver comfort. The interior also showcases a rotary shifter, touch controls, and a wireless smartphone charger. The 500-litre trunk capacity expands to 1,350 litres when the rear seat is folded down.

Performance and Electric Range

On the performance front, the entry-level T10F boasts a rear-mounted motor producing 215hp and 350Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds. For enthusiasts seeking more power, a dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant is available, pushing the output to an impressive 429hp and 700Nm of torque. This powerhouse variant can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

Togg aims for a remarkable WLTP range of 600km with the long-range battery, featuring an 88.5 kWh capacity. The standard 52.4 kWh battery is targeted to deliver a range of 350km. Notably, a 180 kW DC fast charger can recharge the battery from 20-80% in a swift 28 minutes.

Global Launch Plans

The Togg T10F is set to hit the Turkish market next year before making its way to Europe, marking a significant step in Togg’s ambition to redefine the electric vehicle landscape with elegance, innovation, and unparalleled technology.

Mahindra Teases 200km/h Prototype Electric SUVs

Mahindra recently released a brief video showcasing a trio of fully electric SUVs undergoing high-speed testing on the oval track at its proving grounds in Chennai, India. These electric SUVs reached a top speed of 200km/h during the testing.

It’s worth noting that while these prototypes achieved a top speed of 200km/h during testing, production models of electric vehicles (EVs) typically have electronically limited top speeds to prioritise efficiency and extend range. Manufacturers often strike a balance between performance and range when setting these limits.

The electric SUV models from Mahindra, known as the XUV.e8, XUV.e9, and BE.05, were initially previewed in concept form a year ago, introducing Mahindra’s new styling language referred to as “heartcore.” In recent sightings of camouflaged prototypes, these models bear a resemblance to the original concept renderings, although there have been some adjustments for production.

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Mercedes-Benz Introduces The Vision One-Eleven Concept

With a variety of turbo-diesel and Wankel rotary engines installed, the Mercedes-Benz C111 prototypes from the 1960s and 1970s served as test beds for cutting-edge powertrain technologies. Currently, as the automobile industry transitions from internal combustion engines to electric power, Mercedes has introduced the Vision One-Eleven concept, which, like its ancestor, serves as a forecast for how the company will adapt to the changing automotive scene.

The initial C111 prototype, which was painted a striking shade of orange and equipped with dramatic gullwing doors, is clearly where the sleek supercar styling of the Vision One-Eleven got its start. The concept’s single line, shallow curve profile is reminiscent of the cab-forward aerodynamics of Mercedes’s existing EV models, such as the EQS and EQE.

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Final Testing Of New BMW i5 EV Before Launch Later In 2023

There was a time when carmakers tried very hard to prevent their prototypes from being seen and photographed. Back then, it was mainly professionals who hunted for the prototypes undergoing testing in remote places like the Arctic Circle, Death Valley (in America) and Africa. People like the Hans Lehmann, Brenda Priddy and the late Bob Dunne made a lot of money selling their pictures to magazines.

But with the advent of cameraphones and the possibility of anyone standing by the roadside taking a picture and then putting it on the internet where the whole world would see it, the thinking changed. And rather than let those people make money, the companies decided to exploit the attention by teasing the public with their own ‘spy shots’ of camouflaged cars.

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Hyundai Motor Group Develops Robot To Handle Charging Process For EVs (w/VIDEO)

Motorists have had to refuel their cars themselves since self-service was introduced at petrol stations decades ago. While the payment process has been made more convenient by having cashless facilities at the pump but the process of inserting the nozzle is still unchanged. Even with so much automation in the world, a human still has to do it.

For owners of electric vehicles (EVs), this process may be done by a robot in future, making it unnecessary for them to handle any equipment. It will improve safety and convenience, and be useful if the charger is in a spot where it is exposed when rain falls.

The Hyundai Motor Group has developed such a robot which can communicates with the vehicle, automatically open the charging port and plug in the cable. Referred to as an Automatic Charging Robot (ACR), it is still under development but a working prototype has been shown to the public following a CGI version revealed in July last year.

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BMW iX5 Hydrogen Ready For Real-World Testing

Since the 1970s, when it was clear that the combustion engine powering motor vehicles was a major culprit in air pollution and also diminishing fossil fuel supplies, there has been a search for an alternative propulsion system that does not pollute and is also sustainable. Instead of fossil fuel – the product of dead dinosaurs and plants millions of years ago – electricity is the ‘fuel’ of the future.

Electricity is used to power motors and like liquid fuel, it is stored in a battery pack in a limited quantity which needs to be replenished. The electricity comes from power generating plants that run mainly on coal, which generates undesirable emissions. So while electric power is ‘clean’, the electricity itself comes from a source that is still not clean.

There are alternative electricity generation methods – hydro-electricity, solar and wind – but these are limited in use at this time. What has been seen as promising has been the fuel cell concept that was originally developed for spacecraft. This concept uses hydrogen as a fuel in an electrochemical process that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electrical energy and water.

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Honda Turns The CR-V Into An 800-Bhp Beast! (w/VIDEO)

SUVs can be seen in every segment of the car market nowadays and now, Honda has even developed a SUV racing car with a hybrid powertrain. While SUVs have been used in competition before, this particular one is a special one-off project vehicle which is a sneak preview of the Honda’s technology to come.

Developed by Honda Performance Development (HPD), the racing arm of Honda’s North American subsidiary, the CR-V Hybrid Racer will make its debut at the 2023 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. In 2024, hybrid power units will officially debut in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, bringing electrification to the event.

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Akio Toyoda Gives A First Look At Future Pick-Up Truck Models

Like other types of motor vehicles, trucks too are electrifying. Some companies like Ford and GM have already begun selling fully electric trucks and eventually, the bestselling truck outside North America will also go electric. This is the Toyota Hilux, a popular model in many countries for decades, which has built up a strong reputation for durability and reliability.

Toyota already has a development program ongoing for an electric Hilux as evident by a prototype shown in Thailand recently. On the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of Toyota Thailand, Toyota President Akio Toyoda personally presented the Hilux Revo BEV to give a preview of a future Hilux with electric power.

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Prototype

The First Range Rover Electric Prototype Is Being Tested on Frozen Lakes

Honda Civic RS Prototype: Manual Gearbox, Stealth Appearance

Togg Unveils Near-Production Prototype T10F EV – 429hp, 600km Range

Mahindra Teases 200km/h Prototype Electric SUVs

Mercedes-Benz Introduces The Vision One-Eleven Concept

Final Testing Of New BMW i5 EV Before Launch Later In 2023

Hyundai Motor Group Develops Robot To Handle Charging Process For EVs (w/VIDEO)

BMW iX5 Hydrogen Ready For Real-World Testing

Honda Turns The CR-V Into An 800-Bhp Beast! (w/VIDEO)

Akio Toyoda Gives A First Look At Future Pick-Up Truck Models

The First Range Rover Electric Prototype Is Being Tested on Frozen Lakes

Honda Civic RS Prototype: Manual Gearbox, Stealth Appearance

Togg Unveils Near-Production Prototype T10F EV – 429hp, 600km Range

Mahindra Teases 200km/h Prototype Electric SUVs

Mercedes-Benz Introduces The Vision One-Eleven Concept

Final Testing Of New BMW i5 EV Before Launch Later In 2023

Hyundai Motor Group Develops Robot To Handle Charging Process For EVs (w/VIDEO)

BMW iX5 Hydrogen Ready For Real-World Testing

Honda Turns The CR-V Into An 800-Bhp Beast! (w/VIDEO)

Akio Toyoda Gives A First Look At Future Pick-Up Truck Models

Archive

The Redesigned Mini John Cooper Works Countryman: 0-100km/h in 5.4 Seconds

BYD’s Rise in Global EV Market: A RM17.2 Billion Boost

MG4 and MGZS EV Officially Launched in Malaysia

BYD Seal U to Enter the Malaysian Market?

Toyota Unveils Upgraded 2024 Mirai: A Leap Forward in Hydrogen-Power

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