Volkswagen ID Concept (2016) - pictures, information...

The I.D shows a new direction for VW in terms of styling is set to create the design language for all of the company’s forthcoming electric, zero emission cars.
The I.D. is driven by a single electric motor that VW claim will have a range of 250 to 370 miles on a single charge. The engine produces 125kW, equivalent to 168bhp.
The I.D., although similar in size, is not a replacement for the VW Golf. And although it is just a concept for now, Volkswagen intends to start selling the I.D. in 2020 along side, what will then probably be, the MK7 Golf.
The I.D., and subsequent cars in the VW EV range, will use a new platform called MEB. The current modular VW platform, MQB is used throughout the VW, Audi, Skoda and SEAT range. In the future, we expect to see VW’s sister companies also using its electric car platform too.
The I.D., as well as being fully electric, will also be capable of autonomous driving. Despite the scheduled launch date of 2020, VW won’t be offering the self-driving mode until 2025. The automated mode will be called ‘I.D. Pilot’ and when activated the steering wheel will retract into the dashboard.
Because the steering wheel is only needed temporarily, the interior of the I.D. no longer has to conform to the current conventions of car interior design. VW calls the ethos behind the I.D.’s interior Open Space, alluding to a more spacious and airy cabin than we’re used to. However, the pictures show an interior that looks amazingly normal, but with significant legroom for the front seat occupants.
The autonomous aspect to the I.D. also means that it is capable of receiving parcels if the owner isn’t at home by using a special delivery service.
The I.D. signals VW’s departure from using diesel engines as its most economical range. After the diesel scandal, where VW were found to have fitted defeat devices to its diesel models so they would pass emissions tests only under test conditions, its reputation has been damaged. As VW moves away from diesel engines into EVs it expects to sell a million electric cars by 2025.

Text source: http://www.evo.co.uk/news/18328/vw-id-concept-revealed-vws-new-electric-and-autonomous-car .

2017 Land Rover Discovery FIRST LOOK

After 27 years and four generations, the Land Rover Discovery has undergone an existential transformation.
The changes to the fifth-generation model are myriad, but the greatest happens where you can’t see it: The old truck-based workhorse is out to pasture, and a new unibody SUV has taken up the mantle.
The steel-ladder frame is gone, replaced with Land Rover’s all-aluminum unibody platform. The changes in material and design have cut roughly 1,000 pounds off the curb weight, which would put it around 4,700 pounds based on the last LR4 we tested.

With the Discovery having so much less weight to drag around, we expect significantly better performance and fuel economy from the carryover 3.0-liter V-6, which is still supercharged and still pumps out 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. New for the Discovery (aka LR4) is Land Rover’s 3.0-liter diesel V-6, which produces 254 horsepower and a stout 443 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic and, properly equipped, tow up to 8,200 pounds, an improvement of nearly 300 pounds.

Lest you think the Discovery has softened in its evolution, consider that its ground clearance has improved 1.7 inches to 11.1 inches and its fording depth has improved by 7.9 inches to 35.4 inches. Naturally, the Discovery is loaded with all of Land Rover’s latest high-tech off-road features, including the latest Terrain Response 2 multiprogram off-road system and All-Terrain Progress Control (it shares this with the Jaguar F-Pace), which is effectively low-speed cruise control for off-road. The Discovery also features Advanced Tow Assist, which allows you to back a trailer using the Terrain Response rotary controller rather than steering wheel.
The additional capability is matched by improved livability. The Disco itself is 5.5 inches longer, which improves third-row and cargo space. The new Discovery comes loaded with six 12-volt charge points, up to nine USB plugs, a 3G Wi-Fi hot spot, and an optional 10.0-inch infotainment screen with the enormously improved InTouch software. Other handy features include the Activity Key wristband, borrowed from the Jaguar F-Pace; it allows you to lock your key in the car and unlock it later by touching a waterproof wristband to the D in the Discovery tailgate badging. Also available: Intelligent Seat Fold technology, which allows you to fold any of the second- or third-row seats from a smartphone app or the infotainment screen.

You can enjoy a bit of indoor/outdoor space, as well. Although a boring old liftgate replaces the two-piece tailgate/hatch, Land Rover has engineered a powered flap in the cargo area that can stand straight up to act as a divider or flip out over the bumper to act as an 11-inch bench, like the old lower tailgate.
The all-new Land Rover Discovery will go on sale in mid-2017 starting at $50,985.

 Text source: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/land-rover/discovery/2017/2017-land-rover-discovery-first-look-review/



 

Mercedes-Benz EQ Concept preview.

Mercedes has unveiled its ‘Generation EQ’ concept car at the Paris Motor show. The car previews what Mercedes says is its new sub-brand for electric cars, called EQ.  According to Mercedes, the name stands for ‘electric intelligence’ and will be aimed at bringing electric sports cars into the mainstream. 
The Generation EQ concept uses a pair of electric motors capable of a total output of 300 kW paired to a permanent four-wheel drive system. Range is said to be up to 310 miles, putting the concept firmly in Tesla Model S territory for distance between charges. Performance also appears suitably Tesla-like. Mercedes states up to 516 lb ft of torque as well as a sub five second 0-62mph time.
Generation EQ is designed to offer hints of Mercedes’ plans for its future electric vehicles. The cars will be based on a platform built specifically for electric cars. The platform will also be scalable, meaning that design won’t just be limited to the crossover design seen here.
The platform is also modular, so battery and power outputs can be changed, while a combination of aluminium, steel and carbon fibre should mean the weight penalty from batteries is reduced.
In terms of design, the concept features few shut lines, as well as cameras for wing mirrors, hidden windscreen wipers and retractable doorhandles. The end result is a slick shape that is said to help reduce air resistance.

Inside, Mercedes has attempted to simplify user interfaces and functionality with as few knobs, switches and dials as possible. The steering wheel itself has touch controls built into its spokes, with OLED displays that can be swiped through.
This is paired up with a 24-inch widescreen HD display which shows everything from maps to speed and range. This display can be customised to offer as little or as much information as required.
Other technologies include ‘Car to X’ communication, which will allow the concept to speak to other cars digitally, to help increase safety. Autonomous driving assists are of course included, as are 3D maps and even GPS data that will alter the car’s driving setup based on topography and curves.
Mercedes says it will begin to build a complete ecosystem around its EQ brand. This will include the likes of wallboxes and charging services as well as of course vehicles based on the concept you see here.
Mercedes’ new EQ line-up will sit alongside the company’s current crop of hatchbacks, saloons, coupes, convertibles and SUVs and will spawn its own line-up of similar of variants that will be pure electric vehicles. 
All EQ models will be developed as full EVs from the outset rather than regular internal combustion engined cars converted to electric power. With the first Mercedes EQ model due in 2018, the German firm claims it will have a complete family of fully electric vehicles in production and available to buy within five years of the original going on sale. 
By 2025 Mercedes expects between 15 and 25 per cent of it entire portfolio to be represented by pure electric vehicles. In 2017 Mercedes will have 10 plug-in hybrids in its range. 

In Mercedes’ eyes its EQ customers will also be very different customers to the ones it has today. To this end it is looking at how it will market, sell and maintains the EQ cars. 
The company hasn’t ruled selling the EQ models online and is looking at different ownership models for its customers too. However, there is a strong possibility that bespoke Mercedes EQ dealerships will also be built to sell the range of electric vehicles. Mercedes is also looking at pay-per-kilometre schemes, where rather than owner a specific Mercedes EQ you own access to the car you need. Although it thinks full car sharing is at least 20 years away.


The EQ range of Mercedes will be built in the company’s existing factories, with no new plants on the agenda to accommodate the expansion. Mercedes will continue to build all the batteries for its EV range of cars. 

In terms of cost, the first EQ model will be priced inline with the a fully loaded GLC model at circa £50,000. 



 

 Text source: http://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/18330/mercedes-benz-eq-concept-previews-new-all-electric-models

 

 

The Renault Trezor concept is a French design beauty...

The Renault Trezor concept, a look at how a future all-electric, autonomous grand tourer might take shape, debuted today at the Paris Motor Show. This is a pure concept, with some wild gimmicks and exaggerated proportions. Like all great concepts, however, it also is a glimpse at where Renault is going – and where Renault goes, corporate partner Nissan is likely coming along for the ride.

As a styling exercise, though, the Trezor is very, very French. It's long, elegant, and bold, with a striking red interior. Like the best concept cars, it has little to do with reality other than evolving Renault's styling direction. Consider the cheek pouch ducts, which exaggerates the same element in other contemporary Renaults to a cartoonish level.

The fun stuff is found on, not under, the hood. There's a grid of hexagonal openings, air intakes we're told, that pop open when needed (and presumably not when it's raining). The effect was striking, if impractical. Aerodynamic engineer types would likely point out that a NACA duct would be a better way to do that, but their shape doesn't match the overall hexagonal theme.

Other neat party tricks abound, like the canopy which hinges open like a George Barris-inspired Hot Wheels car. Another interesting touch is the exterior lighting, which changes to indicate to those around it that it's in fully-autonomous mode. We're seeing more automakers playing with exterior signals or symbology to communicate with passersby, although this seems to offer less tangible benefits. Even so, it's obvious the designers got to run wild with the Trezor, and it's complex enough to be a visual treat. Expect it to push other Renaults' styling further towards the avant garde moving forward, and give Nissan some ideas about where to take the GT-R in the driverless era to come.

Text source: http://www.autoblog.com/2016/09/29/renault-trezor-concept-ev-paris/