Mercedes showcases Vision EQS The concept could become a flagship electric model for Mercedes Mercedes Benz has unveiled the Vision EQS at the Frankfurt Motor Show, previewing what is expected to become the electric version of the flagship S-Class. With the all-electric EQ range confirmed to expand, this Vision EQS is still a concept, but with a number of hints at a production version down the line. Mercedes itself describes the concept as a ‘trailblazer for the entire Mercedes-Benz EQ family’. Add in the fact that Jaguar’s replacement XJ rival will be all-electric too, and the Vision EQS is looking increasingly likely to become simply the EQS. Expect the yacht-themed styling to be toned down a little; made a little more ‘normal’, as designers can get away with certain ideas in concepts that simply aren’t allowed on production models. The prominent ‘grille’ mirrors that of the currently available EQC SUV though, and a sleek saloon shape would both help attract buyers and aid aerodynamics. Under the skin of the concept is a powertrain that puts out around 350 kW and 760 Nm of torque. A battery of around 100 kWh gives a range of up to 435 miles on a charge, and the battery can be topped up at maximum speed via a 350 kW CCS ultra-rapid charger. These figures are rather vague because that’s how Mercedes has announced them – this is a concept after all. Advanced driver assist systems are fitted to the Vision EQS, though Mercedes expects that ‘individual driving pleasure will continue to be desirable in the future’. A high-tech cabin incorporates recycled materials from ocean waste, wood is locally sourced from German forests, and batteries are sourced from CO2-neutral manufacturers, reducing the overall CO2 impact. Mercedes says the Vision EQS is the ‘first milestone on the way to a CO2-neutral mobility of the future’.
Origin: Mercedes showcases Vision EQS
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New Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS concept is 470bhp luxury EV
Mercedes-Benz has previewed its upcoming EQS luxury saloon with the unveiling of a new 470bhp electric-powered concept at the Frankfurt motor show. Called the Vision EQS, the new four-door provides a foretaste of what Mercedes-Benz claims will be its most advanced production model yet when it reaches showrooms in 2021. It will be launched as a direct rival to the next-generation pure-electric Jaguar XJ, as well as the Tesla Model S and Audi E-tron GT. The EQS is set to be sold alongside the seventh-generation S-Class and will act as a high-tech figurehead for an extended range of models from Mercedes-Benz’s newly created EQ electric car sub-brand. It follows the EQC, EQA and EQB as Mercedes-Benz’s fourth all-electric model but is the first to feature a dedicated steel, aluminium and carbonfibre platform, dubbed MEA internally. The EQS also forms the basis of an even more luxurious Maybach model that is intended to take on an upcoming EV being developed by Rolls-Royce. Mercedes-Benz chairman Ola Källenius said: “By 2022, we will have launched a total of more than 10 purely electrically driven vehicles. Over and above this, we shall electrify the entire Mercedes-Benz portfolio and thus offer our customers at least one electrified alternative in every Mercedes-Benz model series – over 50 in all.” Powered by two electric motors spread across both axles for four-wheel drive, the Vision EQS has a combined output of around 470bhp and 560lb ft of torque. This is sufficient to allow the car to accelerate from a standstill to 62mph in a claimed 4.5sec and reach a top speed of more than 124mph. The two electric motors are able to send power to each individual wheel via a torque-vectoring set-up that is claimed to provide unparalleled levels of traction and handling prowess in the upper-luxury segment. The MEA platform is said to be capable of containing a battery pack of up to 100kWh in size. The lithium ion battery from Mercedes-Benz sibling company Accumotive is claimed to provide the saloon with a range of over 435 miles – 158 miles more than the EQC. Mercedes-Benz has developed the EQS to support 350kW charging – a standard first achieved by Porsche with its Taycan. On such a system, Mercedes-Benz claims the battery can be charged to 80% in just 20 minutes. Thanks to the new electric platform, the Vision EQS is able to have different proportions from a traditional saloon’s. The bonnet is shorter, with the windscreen set well forward, and the rear end is quite low by today’s standards. The roofline, meanwhile, is similar in shape to that gracing the third-generation CLS. With the battery housed completely within the floorpan of the MEA platform, it is said to have an exceptionally low centre of gravity, as well as advanced air suspension featuring active body control and anti-lean to boost the car’s dynamic appeal. Stylistically, the Vision EQS follows the lead of the EQC with an exterior that has fuller forms and smoother surfacing than those of current combustion-engined models. To inject it with some extra visual pizzazz, the new concept receives a two-tone paint scheme as well as an LED light band along the shoulder of each side. In place of a traditional chrome grille, the EQS receives a seamless black panel grille complete with an illuminated three-pointed star emblem, containing more than 188 individual LEDs. Bookmarking the black panel grille are Mercedes-Benz’s Digital Light headlights – each featuring two holographic lens modules that enable it to project signals onto the road to improve safety for pedestrians. The rear end of the car is dominated by a further light band made up of 229 individual illuminated three-pointed stars. All up, the new Mercedes-Benz concept has some 940 individual LEDs. The EQS also features a newly styled cabin inspired by luxury yachts. The flowing forms of the dashboard are said to mirror the look already chosen for the production version of the new luxury saloon. Also on board is a future iteration of the firm’s latest MBUX operating system, which works in combination with a large digital panel housing the instruments and infotainment functions. As well as revealing the design ideas set to be incorporated in its production sibling, the concept’s interior also showcases a number of recyclable materials being considered for use in future Mercedes-Benz models. These include composite materials made from recycled PET bottles and plastic ocean waste as well as a faux leather material that is claimed to closely resemble the properties of nappa
Origin: New Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS concept is 470bhp luxury EV
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
BMW’s new Vision M Next Concept looks like a hybrid-electric M1 successor
BMW is on a tear when it comes to electrifying its product portfolio. By the end of this year it wants to have 500,000 electric vehicles on the road around the world. Most will be hybrid or plug-in hybrids, along with the i3.The next step is to launch another 25 electrified rides by 2023, two years earlier than the companyd laid out in its original mission statement.The mix will include a plug-in version of the X5 SAV and an all-electric version of the X3the iX3 will launch next year.Eventually, the M performance division will also be turning to electrification. That future was revealed late June in the form of the Vision M Next Concept. It is set to be the first to marry the performance M badge with a hybrid powertrain.Its a radical-looking vehicle with i8-like scissor doors and laser-wire technology for both the headlights and taillights. It also uses facial recognition technology to unlock the car as the driver approaches.Pressing the touch sensor on the scissor door sees it swing open to reveal a minimalist cabinit blends a funky-looking interior with an F1-like steering wheel and truly neat gauge cluster. The drive modes are changed on the steering wheel like an F1 racer, while the key information like revs, speed, energy management and even the drivers heart rate are incorporated into the multi-panel curved glass display. Naturally, it features the latest autonomous capabilitythe iNext will include a Level 3 autonomous capability, so expect more of the Vision M Next.The Vision M has two core driving modes, Ease and Boost. Ease is where the riders take a back seat and let the Vision M Next to do the driving. Pieter Nota, the board member responsible for customers, brands and service, said future BMW models will continue to have a steering wheel. This is needed to support the Boost mode. It takes the plug-in hybrid powertrain and turns it over to the driver.And a serious drive it promises to be. The Power PHEV drive system gives the driver a choice between an electric all-wheel drive setup or a rear-wheel drive setup with either all-electric or turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine motivators. The system twists out 600 horsepower and has a top speed of 300 kilometres an hour. The proof of the M side of its personality is found in the run from rest to 100 km/hat three seconds, it will wow potential customers. On the other hand, it also offers an electric-only driving range of 100 kilometres.Asked what the likelihood of a Vision M Next-inspired production car might be, Nota was non-committal. However, he did not rule it out. It does make sense, as the concept takes the current i8 and ramps it up in all areas so it would seem like a natural fit for the
Origin: BMW’s new Vision M Next Concept looks like a hybrid-electric M1 successor
BMW reveals Vision M Next as part of EV update
BMW reveals Vision M Next as part of EV update The concept comes as BMW announces it is two years ahead of schedule BMW has unveiled a new concept – the Vision M Next – as part of a range of announcements that include it is currently two years ahead of schedule for its electric vehicle plans. The BMW Vision M Next is a plug-in hybrid concept clearly inspired by the current i8, and emphasises BMW’s focus on driver’s cars at a time when autonomous driving concepts are popular. The 600hp (441 kW) PHEV is powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit, supported by an electric motor. All-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive modes feature, and the Vision M Next will complete the 0-62mph sprint in three seconds before reaching a top speed of 186mph. Despite the performance potential, the concept will still cover up to 62 miles on a single charge, and there are two driving settings – Ease and Boost. Ease offers complete autonomous driving, while Boost allows the driver to take charge. Other technology featured includes facial recognition to unlock the car, an AR heads-up display, and Laser Wire lighting technology. No word has been given as to plans for whether it will go into production or not, though it is expected that many of the design elements and PHEV systems will be brought forward onto forthcoming models. In more tangible news, BMW has confirmed that it plans to have 25 electrified models available in 2024, two years ahead of its initial target of 2025. A steep sales curve is predicted, seeing electrified models climb more than 30% per year up to 2025, and sales are expected to double between 2019 and 2021. BMW will also introduce eDrive Zones as standard in plug-in hybrids from next year, which allow geo-fencing technology to automatically recognise these models within green zones, designed for emissions-free driving. Here the BMW PHEVs will switch to pure-electric mode automatically, so they have the same access rights in zones as pure-electric models.
Origin: BMW reveals Vision M Next as part of EV update
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