Cupra Tavascan: emotive EV concept shown at Frankfurt

The front end of the Tavascan is designed to balance the desire for “muscularity and dynamism”, the company claims, with an exterior shape honed for range-boosting aerodynamic efficiency. The front end is also intended to create a “totally different focal point” from those of conventional combustion-engined cars, with an illuminated Cupra logo mounted low, below the blanked-out ‘grille’. A separate badge spells out ‘Cupra’ in a vent linked to the headlights. The rear is also heavily dominated by the lower portion’s styling, with a striking bumper shape mated to a steeply raked rear window line and full-width light bar, intersected by the Cupra logo. It is claimed each vent and slat on the body serves a purpose, either in allowing air to flow over the body or directing it internally to cool batteries. The model also sits on aero-optimised 22in wheels. Cupra claims the interior “mixes material and technological concepts with openness and focus” by the use of “contrasting colours, structural carbon and dynamic approaches to technology and design”. Leather, carbon and Alcantara are the dominant materials. There is a floating dashboard but a digital instrument cluster and 13.0in infotainment screen are the focal points. The 13.0in screen can be moved towards the passenger if needed and speaker and smartphone connectivity features are integrated into the seats. Cupra stresses that the Tavascan concept is designed to deliver “the performance, dynamics and drivability its customers demand”. To that end, it features a dual-motor electric powertrain putting out 302bhp, enabling 0-62mph in “less than 6.5sec”. The Tavascan uses the highly flexible Volkswagen Group MEB platform, integrating the two motors across both axles for all-wheel drive. The floorpan houses a 77kWh lithium ion battery, taken from the largest-capacity version of VW’s ID 3. A range of 280 miles is claimed. The brand predicts the electric SUV coupé market will grow by 15% every year and hopes to capitalise on that with future models evolving from the Tavascan. The listing of specs suggests there is some production intent here. Cupra has already shown the Formentor – also an SUV coupé but one with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains rather than purely electric – that’s due next year. Two more PHEVs are also on the cards for
Origin: Cupra Tavascan: emotive EV concept shown at Frankfurt

Mercedes-Benz ESF concept shown at Frankfurt

Mercedes-Benz is presenting its new ESF 2019 concept at Frankfurt as the latest in a long line of experimental vehicles in an ongoing project into advanced safety technology. Based on a yet-to-be launched petrol-electric GLE, the ‘ESF 2019’ research project acts as a rolling showcase for new and improved safety functions that Mercedes expects to incorporate on its future models. Among the project’s innovations are those that the German car maker calls “near series” as well as developments that “look well into the future”. The ESF 2019’s developments include a new holistic driver environment that features a retractable steering wheel and pedal box as well as ideas for new airbag installations that Rodolfo Schöneburg, the head of Mercedes vehicle safety, said “take into account the greater interior flexibility offered by autonomous vehicles”. He said: “The great advantage of automating driving functions is that, in the future, fewer accidents will be caused by driver error. However, fully automated and driverless vehicles also come up against physical limits and there will undoubtedly be mixed traffic consisting of automated and non-automated vehicles for many years.” The heavily modified GLE also uses a new interior lighting function incorporated into the driver’s sun visor. It has been developed in response to recent studies that reveal a vitalising light source similar to that of mood lamps can significantly improve driver alertness on long journeys. As part of an update to its existing Pre-Safe belt tensioners, Mercedes has also equipped the ESF 2019 with Pre-Safe Curve, which warns the driver if the entry speed to corners is too high by lightly tightening the seatbelt. A new Pre-Safe Child function preventatively tensions the seatbelt and inflates impact protection elements around the child seat before an impact, reducing the loads acting on the child. This new function is also able to monitor the seat installation and the child’s vital signs. On its outside, the new safety research vehicle features digital surfaces incorporated into the grille, rear window and roof. Developed in a programme that aims to build people’s trust in automated vehicles, these digital surfaces communicate directions and other vital information as well as warn other road users and pedestrians of impending danger, even when parked. Another new development heavily tipped to appear on next year’s all-new S-Class is Mercedes’ Digital Light – a high-definition light source with a resolution of more than two million pixels that is claimed to be dazzle-free. A further future safety function being tested by Mercedes is a small robot that doubles as a warning triangle to secure accident sites or breakdowns. It deploys from the rear and positions itself at the side of the road. An additional warning triangle folds out of the roof. A potentially life-saving innovation is the new Pre-Safe Impulse Rear. It monitors when vehicles are approaching from the rear in a tailback and can autonomously move the ESF 2019 forwards if an impending impact is detected, provided there is the space to do so. The project draws on more than 50 years of accident research. Previous experimental vehicles have previewed functions in current Mercedes models, including the rear seatbelt airbag and active high beam assistant initially incorporated on the ESF
Origin: Mercedes-Benz ESF concept shown at Frankfurt

Cupra previews first EV with emotive Tavascan concept

Cupra’s first step into the sphere of pure-electric power is a dramatic-looking EV concept called the Tavascan, unveiled ahead of its public debut at next week’s Frankfurt motor show. Named after a ski resort near the French border in Catalonia, the Tavascan is said to marry “the presence of an SUV with the sleekness of a sports coupé” and showcases the evolution of Cupra design as it moves further away from its parent company, Seat. The front end of the Tavascan is designed to balance the desire for “muscularity and dynamism”, the company claims, with an exterior shape honed for range-boosting aerodynamic efficiency. The front end is also intended to create a “totally different focal point” from those of conventional combustion-engined cars, with an illuminated Cupra logo mounted low, below the blanked-out ‘grille’. A separate badge spells out ‘Cupra’ in a vent linked to the headlights. The rear is also heavily dominated by the lower portion’s styling, with a striking bumper shape mated to a steeply raked rear window line and full-width light bar, intersected by the Cupra logo. It is claimed each vent and slat on the body serves a purpose, either in allowing air to flow over the body or directing it internally to cool batteries. The model also sits on aero-optimised 22in wheels. Cupra claims the interior “mixes material and technological concepts with openness and focus” by the use of “contrasting colours, structural carbon and dynamic approaches to technology and design”. Leather, carbon and Alcantara are the dominant materials. There is a floating dashboard but a digital instrument cluster and 13.0in infotainment screen are the focal points. The 13.0in screen can be moved towards the passenger if needed and speaker and smartphone connectivity features are integrated into the seats. Cupra stresses that the Tavascan concept is designed to deliver “the performance, dynamics and drivability its customers demand”. To that end, it features a dual-motor electric powertrain putting out 302bhp, enabling 0-62mph in “less than 6.5sec”. The Tavascan uses the highly flexible Volkswagen Group MEB platform, integrating the two motors across both axles for all-wheel drive. The floorpan houses a 77kWh lithium ion battery, taken from the largest-capacity version of VW’s ID 3. A range of 280 miles is claimed. The brand predicts the electric SUV coupé market will grow by 15% every year and hopes to capitalise on that with future models evolving from the Tavascan. The listing of specs suggests there is some production intent here. Cupra has already shown the Formentor – also an SUV coupé but one with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains rather than purely electric – that’s due next year. Two more PHEVs are also on the cards for
Origin: Cupra previews first EV with emotive Tavascan concept

Lynk&Co 03 Cyan Concept is fastest four-door at Nurburgring

World Touring Car team Cyan Racing claims to have broken the front-wheel-drive and four-door lap records at the Nürburgring with its LynkCo 03 Cyan Concept. A lap time of 7min 20.143sec marks a three-second improvement over Jaguar’s limited-run XE SV Project 8, which broke its own four-door record just last month. However, that car was in full production guise, while Cyan’s model remains a “mass production-based” concept for now. The previous fastest front-wheel-drive record was held by the Renault Mégane RS Trophy R, which set a time of 7min 40.1sec ahead of its launch earlier this year. The 03 Cyan Concept is a road-legal reworking of Geely-owned LynkCo’s World Touring Car (WTCR) racer, and is being tested as part of a development programme for what the company calls “an extended performance offer”. Henrik Fries, Cyan Racing’s head of automotive RD, said: “While our main purpose for the many laps on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is development, the records that we broke are a true testament to the potential and capabilities of the LynkCo platform, as well as our engineering philosophy from more than two decades of motorsport and road car
Origin: Lynk&Co 03 Cyan Concept is fastest four-door at Nurburgring

Karma SC1 Vision Concept will make first public debut at Pebble Beach Concours

Karma Automobile is bringing its brand-new SC1 Vision Concept to life and is prepared to show it at the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance, set to be the first public showing of the futuristic-looking vehicle.The SC1 Vision Concept is Karmas vision for the future of motoring, and if the future looks anything like the SC1, were in.The SC1 is a signpost to Karmas future, says Karma CEO Dr. Lance Zhou.Designed and engineered in less than 12 months, SC1 is a full battery-electric vehicle that explores the brands striking design language and the innovative technology integration possible through our collaborative Open Platform strategy.The most important thing about this vehicle is the tech: its been future-proofed to accept full self-driving when it becomes available. Eight radars, six lidar sensors and half a dozen external cameras help the car see what humans see. Almost. The infotainment system also has a humanized communication system with touch, voice, eye and graphical interfaces and a camera-based eye-tracking system that is capable of biometric identification. That all sounds like something out of Blade Runner, but we like it.As for power, we dont really know whats motivating it yet, but we think its safe to say this vehicle will be more on the sporty side of electric, rather than economical.The SC1 Vision Concept will be displayed on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance on Sunday, August 18. The 2020 Karma Revero GT will also make be on display next to the Karma GT during Monterey Car
Origin: Karma SC1 Vision Concept will make first public debut at Pebble Beach Concours

Autocar readers visit Bentley HQ for exclusive concept viewing

The histories of Autocar and Bentley have frequently intertwined over the past century, but the Crewe-based luxury car maker set an entirely new standard earlier this month by treating 30 Autocar subscribers, plus their friends and partners, to an exclusive concept car world premiere of their own. A few days earlier, the company had invited a strictly limited group of the world’s automotive journalists to Crewe to see the wraps come off the EXP 100 GT, a magnificent electric four-wheel drive luxury saloon concept, intended to show what luxury motoring could be like in 2035, from the points of view of styling, interior design, flexible accommodation, convenience and new materials that might be available. Similar in length (5.8m) to the longest Bentley Mulsanne limo in production, the 100 GT was configured both for autonomous and normal driving, under the theme of “extraordinary journeys”, either with the steering wheel retracted and the car in full self-driving mode, or with the driver taking charge on enjoyable roads. Bentley board member Astrid Fontaine explained the thinking behind the car to our Autocar group, while head of exterior design JP Gregory talked about the key design cues of the EXP 100 GT. Afterwards, both took part in a QA involving Autocar and Bentley people. The audience, who stayed for lunch, showed a keen appreciation of the car’s magnificent styling, and a passionate interest in the whole subject of electrification and the part it will play in 2035 motoring. But questions ranged far and wide, even including one reader’s forthright criticism of the shape of the current Bentayga SUV. Bentley’s diplomatic answer: it suits the customers who choose it, sir… All attendees – readers (two of whom brought Bentleys of their own), Crewe staff and Autocar writers – enjoyed this special occasion, which is fortuitous because right across its long history, Autocar has set out to be more than a magazine (and lately a website) but also the centre of a thriving, like-minded, car loving community. We’re already hatching plans to stage more of these events, one of the first likely to be an Autocar visit to Plant Oxford, the Mini factory. Keep reading the magazine and website and we’ll publish full
Origin: Autocar readers visit Bentley HQ for exclusive concept viewing

Chinese start-up Human Horizons unveils radical electric SUV concept

Chinese start-up Human Horizons, whose technical team is led by the former boss of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division, has unveiled a radical electric SUV concept called the HiPhi 1. The machine closely previews the new firm’s first production car, which it says is due on sale within two years. Human Horizons describes itself as a technology company that’s focusing on “smart vehicles, smart transportation and smart cities”. It plans to develop a range of machines for the growing Chinese premium EV market, designed for both private owners and shared use, featuring advanced autonomous systems and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. The HiPhi 1 concept is the first car the firm has revealed. Technical development has been led by Mark Stanton, who formerly worked for both Ford and Jaguar Land Rover. The machine features 562 sensors to offer ‘higher-level autonomy’ using V2X communication systems. It will also monitor the interior using facial recognition cameras and even smell sensors to detect unwanted odours. The HiPhi 1 features nine power-operated doors, flaps and stowage compartments, including gullwing-opening rear doors, and a handleless entry system that uses a facial recognition system matched to a smartphone. There will be a number of different modes for accessing it, including a ‘superstar’ setting that opens all the roof and door systems. There’s also a ‘parade’ mode that will allow the car to move slowly with the gullwing flaps raised. The exterior design has been informed by Chinese tastes, with a tall crossover design and a large, coupé-like glasshouse. Human Horizons says the lack of a combustion engine has allowed the front bulkhead to be pushed much further forward than in a conventional car, with the 5.2-metre overall length – similar to that of a long wheelbase Range Rover – allowing huge interior space. The HiPhi 1 also features fins designed to direct airflow at the trailing edge of the rear doors and a similar channel built into the front wing; Human Horizons boss Kevin Chen says that these have been inspired by aircraft and promote high-speed stability, with the car having a drag co-efficient of 0.28Cd. The HiPhi also features smart headlights capable of beaming patterns onto road or walls, with examples including a zebra crossing effect to show pedestrians that it’s safe to cross. The larger panels beneath the lighting units contain hundreds of LEDs and are capable of displaying patterns or even messages. The interior features three rows of two seats, all of which are power-operated and can be switched into numerous configurations. The car’s structure incorporates both high-strength steel and aluminium, with the battery compartment under the floor. The dashboard is largely formed of display screens, with a digital instrument pack, portrait-orientated touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard and another in front of the passenger for playing media. It also features a camera-based rear-view system, although this isn’t currently legal in China. Stanton, who leads a team of around 400 engineers, said both rear and four-wheel-drive versions will be offered, the latter with a pair of 268bhp motors and a 0-62mph time of around 3.9sec. Differently sized battery packs will also be offered, with the biggest 96kWh unit giving a range of up to 400 miles with the rear-drive powertrain under the NEDC testing protocol. Stanton wouldn’t give a weight figure but confirmed that we can expect something so large and highly specified to be more than two tonnes. While there are no plans to sell the HiPhi 1 outside China in the short term, the firm has global ambitions in the longer term. Pricing is yet to be set, but the HiPhi 1 is likely to be at the higher end of the Chinese EV market. Deliveries are due to being in 2021. Production will take place in a plant – currently being refitted – that was formerly used by Kia’s Chinese joint venture
Origin: Chinese start-up Human Horizons unveils radical electric SUV concept

Chinese EV start-up Human Horizons unveils radical SUV concept

Chinese start-up Human Horizons, whose technical team is led by the former boss of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division, has unveiled a radical HiPhi 1 SUV concept. The machine closely previews the new firm’s first production car, which is says is due on sale within two years. Human Horizons describes itself as a technology focused company, that is focusing on “smart vehicles, smart transportation and smart cities”. It plans to develop a range of machines for the growing Chinese premium EV market, designed for both private owners and shared use, featuring advanced autonomous systems and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. The HiPhi 1 concept is the first machine it has revealed, and technical development has been led by Mark Stanton, who formerly worked for both Ford and Jaguar Land Rover, most recently as the head of Special Vehicle Operations. The machine features 562 sensors to offer ‘higher-level autonomy’ using V2X communication systems. The HiPhi will also monitor the cabin using facial recognition cameras and even smell sensors to detect unwanted odours. The HiPhi 1 features nine power-operated doors, flaps and stowage compartments, including gullwing-opening rear doors, and a handleless entry system that uses a facial recognition system matched to a smartphone. The machine will feature a number of different modes to access it, including a ‘superstar’ setting that opens all the roof and door systems. There is also a ‘parade’ mode that will allow the model to move slowly with the gullwing flaps raised. The exterior design has been informed by Chinese tastes, with a tall crossover design and a large, coupe-like glasshouse. Human Horizons says the lack of a combustion engine has allowed the front bulkhead to be pushed much further forward than in a conventional car, with the 5.2 metre overall length – similar to that of a long wheelbase Range Rover – allowing huge cabin space. It also features fins designed to direct airflow at the trailing edge of the rear doors, and a similar channel built into the front wing; Human Horizons boss Kevin Chen says that these have been inspired by aircraft and promote high-speed stability, with a drag co-efficient of 0.28. The HiPhi also features smart headlights capable of beaming patterns onto road or walls, with examples including a zebra crossing effect to show pedestrians that it is safe to cross. The larger panels beneath the lighting units contain hundreds of LEDs and are capable of displaying patterns or even messages. The cabin features three rows of two seats, all of which are power operated and can be switched into numerous configurations. The car’s structure incorporates both high-strength steel and aluminium, with the battery compartment under the floor. The dashboard is largely formed of display screens, with a digital instrument pack, portrait-orientated touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard and another in front of the passenger for playing media. It also features a camera-based rear-view system, although this isn’t currently legal in China. Stanton, who leads a team of around 400 engineers, said both rear- and all-wheel-drive versions will be offered, the latter with a pair of 268bhp motors and a 0-62mph time of around 3.9 seconds. Differently sized battery packs will also be offered, with the biggest 96kWh unit giving a range of up to 400 miles with the rear-drive powertrain under the NEDC testing protocol. Stanton wouldn’t give a weight figure – but confirmed that we can expect something so large an highly specified to be over two tonnes. While there are no plans to sell the HiPhi 1 outside China in the short-term, the firm does have global ambitions in the longer term. Pricing is yet to be set, but is likely to be at the higher end of the Chinese EV market, with deliveries due to being in 2021. Production will take place in a plant formerly used by Kia’s Chinese joint venture partner, which is currently being
Origin: Chinese EV start-up Human Horizons unveils radical SUV concept

This new tire concept captures electricity as it rolls

Tire company Sumitomo hasn’t reinvented the wheel, quite, but it has come up with a pretty brilliant way for your car’s tires to recuperate a bit of energy as they roll along. Developers at Sumitomo Rubber Industries got a hand from researchers at Kansai University in Osaka, Japan to develop a tire concept that uses a device called an “Energy Harvester” to gather small bits of static electricity (a.k.a. “frictional charging”) generated within the tires. Inside the tire are two layers of rubber with an electrode for each, and a negatively and positively charged film that interfaces the two and rubs together when the tire rolls down the road and repeatedly deforms. Now, these tires aren’t going to add range to the next-gen Tesla or anything, but Sumitomo suggests the Energy Harvester could eventually replace batteries as a power source for small things like tire pressure monitors or “other automotive devices.” The Japan Science and Technology Agency, a national research and development agency, has recently signed on to help support the project, so it may not be too long before they roll out some sort of
Origin: This new tire concept captures electricity as it rolls

Renault reveals electric 4Lbased concept

Renault reveals electric 4L-based concept The convertible model uses Twizy running gear Renault has used its electric vehicle expertise to create an EV version of one of the manufacturer’s classics – the e-Plein Air. Based on a Renault 4, the Plein Air was a door-less convertible version introduce in 1968, but Renault has modernised it with an electric drivetrain from its Twizy. The concept has no official technical statistics, but a compact battery and small electric motor mean it’s not going to be challenging the Renault Zoe in terms of performance or range. It has been created for the 10th anniversary of the 4L International gathering. The Renault 4 remains one of the company’s best-selling and popular models. Changes made include a closed-off front grille, removed rear seats, and new luggage rack. There are no plans to put the model into production, though it’s clear that retro-fitting electric powertrains to classic cars is picking up in popularity. The Mini has been electrified by Swind, though manufacturers are also getting in on the game. Joining Renualt are Jaguar and Aston Martin in creating electric versions of some of its most famous models.
Origin: Renault reveals electric 4Lbased concept