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Polestar releases pictures of new electric sedan concept

  • Polestar Precept is a vision of the company’s future vehicle aspirations
  • Sustainable materialsand the advancement of HMI technologytake centre stage
  • •Fully electric four-door grand tourer’s design manifests the purest essence of Polestar on stand 5253 in Hall 5 at Geneva International Motor Show

Polestar reveals the Polestar Precept – a vision of the brand’s future direction and a clear expression of intent. Precept exhibits the execution of new, more sustainable interior materials, the continued development of the digital user interface and the essence of Polestar design.

The name “Precept” was chosen to emphasise the vehicle’s role in setting out Polestar’s intent as the contemporary electric performance brand. A precept is a manifesto of things to come; a declaration. The car signifies an important milestone for Polestar as a standalone brand, describing a unique design philosophy that remains firmly embedded in Polestar’s brand values: pure, progressive and performance.

“Precept is a declaration, a vision of what Polestar stands for and what makes the brand relevant,” comments Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar. “The car is a response to the clear challenges our society and industry face. This is not a dream of a distant future, Polestar Precept previews future vehicles and shows how we will apply innovation to minimise our environmental impact.

Minimalistic athleticism, the sculpted form of the Polestar Precept sets the tone for future Polestar vehicles. The vehicle’s proportions define its presence with restrained surfacing and a focus on aerodynamic efficiency. A 3.1-metre wheelbase which accommodates a large battery pack gives the stunning four-door grand tourer a very low and sleek silhouette with an emphasis on leg- and headroom in the rear.

The front grille is replaced by the Polestar SmartZone, representing a shift from breathing to seeing. An area which once channelled air to radiators and the internal combustion engine, now houses technology for safety sensors and driver assistance functions. Purposefully gathered behind a transparent panel dedicated to intelligent hardware are two radar sensors and a high definition camera. The LIDAR pod, mounted atop the glass roof, is given optimal visibility as a next step towards increased driving assistance. The Thor’s Hammer LED headlight signature evolves with separated elements, taking on a dynamic, more robotic and brand-defining interpretation.

Precept features an integrated front wing above the SmartZone which accelerates air flow over the long bonnet. This allows air to attach itself to the surface earlier, which improves aerodynamic efficiency and thus improves the vehicle’s range. At the rear, the wide light-blade spans the entire width of the car, extending into vertical aero-wings – another aerodynamic feature and a nod to light-weight design.

Conventional side mirrors are replaced by camera-based units, each of which extends outwards on an aerodynamic arm. Inside, the traditional rear-view mirror is replaced with a digital screen, the image collected by a wide-angle camera mounted at the rear of the car. The absence of a conventional rear window means that the Precept’s single-volume glass roof extends behind the rear seats and the tailgate itself is designed with a larger opening and higher-mounted hinges improving access.

Polestar continues to believe in collaborating with experts to accelerate development and provide customers with the best available technologies. Precept’s interior is defined by sustainability and offered opportunity to work with new materials and processes. Similarly, the evolution of the HMI builds on current partnerships which maximise the integration of expertise.

Sustainable new interior materials balance modern high-tech luxury with reduced environmental impact. Bcomp’s flax-based composites for interior panels and seatbacks offer significant improvements over conventional materials, including up to 50% saving in weight and up to 80% reduction of plastic waste.

Seat surfaces are 3D-knitted from recycled PET bottles, bolsters and headrests are made from recycled cork vinyl, while carpets are made from reclaimed fishing nets. These elements, combined with digital artistry, define a new premium luxury that surpasses the conventions of leather, wood and chrome.

The next generation HMI, powered by Android, builds on Polestar’s close collaboration with Google. An enlarged, portrait-oriented 15-inch centre touch screen complements a 12.5-inch driver display, and the two are linked by an illuminated blade that encompasses the entire interior. In this execution, the unique Polestar emblem floats holographically inside a solid piece of Swedish crystal between the rear seat headrests.

Supporting the advancement of a personalised and dynamic digital interface, the instrument panel also hosts an array of smart sensors. Eye tracking will allow the car to monitor the driver’s gaze and adjust the content of the various screens accordingly. Proximity sensors also enhance the usability of the centre display when driving.

Maximilian Missoni, head of Design at Polestar, says: “Polestar Precept’s aesthetics are rooted in cutting-edge technology rather than looking back in time at historical, automotive references. At Polestar we see technology as an enabler, as a tool to solve our society’s problems and we translated this attitude into a new set of design principles. The combination of sustainable materials and high-tech smart systems opens an entirely new chapter of avant-garde luxury design and shows where Polestar is heading.”

Polestar will present Precept at the Geneva International Motor Show from 5-15 March 2020, at stand 5253 in Hall 5.

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Elon Musk: Tesla Cybertruck will come standard with ‘laser blade lights,’ be ~82″ wide

Elon Musk made some new comments about the production version of the Tesla Cybertruck, which he says will come standard with “laser blade lights” and be around 82 inches wide.

In November 2019, Tesla unveiled its highly anticipated Cybertruck, the automaker’s first electric pickup truck, to mixed reviews.

The design of the vehicle is just as futuristic as Musk warned prior to the event, but it still surprised many and remains polarizing.

Design aside, many were impressed by the specs and pricing of the Tesla Cybertruck, which starts at only $39,900 before incentives and has up to 500 miles of range with higher-end versions.

As for the dimensions, Tesla shared some details with a few of different publications:

Wheelbase149.9 in (3,807 mm)
Length231.7 in (5,885 mm)
Width79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Height75 in (1,905 mm)

However, the CEO said that things might change with the production version.

In a new tweet, he confirmed that the production Cybertruck will be closer to 82 inches wide:

By the way, in some prior tweets I’d said production Cybertruck would be ~80” wide (vs ~84” body width at unveil). This is slightly too small. Will be closer to 82”, but come standard with upper laser blade lights.

In comparison, a Ford F-150, depending on its configuration, can be between 209-251 inches in length, 80-86 inches in width, and 75-79 inches high.

Musk also mentioned that the “laser blade lights” are going to be standard.

When Tesla unveiled the electric pickup truck, some analysts suggested that the headlights consisting of a single stream of light might not be up to code based on US regulations.

But we got a different look at the lights in Cybertruck electric pickup sightings around Los Angeles:

Screen-Shot-2019-12-08-at-6.58.45-PM
Screen-Shot-2019-12-08-at-7.33.52-PM

It looks like while the stream of light from the unveiling is still there, the lights are stronger at each end, making it look more like traditional headlights.

In a new comment, Musk also emphasized that “active ride height and active damping are game-changing for a truck or any car with a high max/min weight ratio.”

Cybertruck makes that possible with a new adaptive air suspension:

Raise and lower suspension four inches in either direction for easy access to Cybertruck or the vault, while self-leveling capabilities adapt to any occasion and assist with every job.

The automaker said that it plans to launch the two higher-end versions of the Cybertruck in late 2021.

Those two electric trucks will have between 300 and 500 miles of range and be equipped with dual- and tri-motor powertrains.

CEO Elon Musk said that the Cyberquad, an electric ATV, is going to be launched as an option for Cybertruck buyers at around the same time as the truck.

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The future of cars landed in Cyprus. This is the Porsche Taycan.

The revolutionary Taycan is the first sports car made by Porsche. A four window sport sallon which offers high performance and connection to everyday life.

Here are the first images of the electric vehicle as landed in Nicosia dealer shop. Enjoy!

The vehicle’s rear side ready to be unloaded to the dealership headquarters.

The interior design language from Porsche derives the company’s eco friendly £hand-made” vision.

The electric Taycan for the first checks before hitting the Road.

Original source: Autokinito

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Add another EV to VW’s electric roadmap: the off-road Ruggdzz

Volkswagen has promised 20 new EVs by 2025. Most of these models combine an “ID” prefix with a double “zz” in the name. There’s the ID Crozz crossover coming later this year to the US and the ID Buzz van to follow. VW unveiled the ID Vizzion wagon at last year’s LA Auto Show.

The UK’s Autocar reported today that VW will also introduce the off-road-oriented ID Ruggdzz in 2023. Volkswagen told the publication that it wants to create a line of electric models “with the same timeless and classless qualities as the original Beetle.”

The ID Ruggdzz could fulfill the need for an iconic VW adventure EV. The style of the ID Ruggdzz could borrow some of the mojo from VW’s Atlas Cross Sport R Concept (shown above).

The ID Ruggdzz, according to Autocar, is about the same size as the ID Crozz. Yet, inside sources revealed that the rugged new concept would have very different styling than the Crozz. It promises a full-width grille, rectangular headlights, an upright hood and windscreen, and a flat roofline. There reportedly will be abundant use of translucent body materials.

Autocar says that both five-seat and an extended-wheelbase seven-seater will be offered. An off-road variant could feature roof-mounted spotlights.

In a 2017 interview with Car and Driver, VW CEO Herbert Diess hinted at an electric version of an off-road adventure vehicle like the iconic Volkswagen Thing.

The Ruggdzz could represent the same idea and perhaps would be a low-cost competitor to Rivian’s adventure vehicles.

In 2019, the company introduced the ID Buggy (hmm, no z’s) that combines a 62-kWh battery pack with a 201-hp electric motor driving the rear wheels. The ID Buggy is a concept with no firm plans for production.

ID Buggy

ID Buggy

Electrek reached out to Volkswagen to confirm reports about the Ruggdzz. No word yet, but we’ll update this post when VW responds.

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Renault Zoe electric car sales surge, becoming one of the brand’s best-selling cars

Renault’s bet on the Zoe electric car is starting to pay off. Sales surged to almost 10,000 units in Europe last month and the vehicle is becoming one of the brand’s best-selling cars.

Despite being only sold in Europe, the Renault Zoe is one of the best-selling electric cars in the world.

Total deliveries have now surpassed 250,000 units and what is most surprising is that sales are not slowing down.

Last month, Renault delivered almost 10,000 Zoe electric cars in Europe.

That’s twice as many units as the previous month and a 156% increase over the same period last year.

In January, the Zoe was Renault’s second best-selling car in Europe – second only to Clio 5, which was delivered in higher volume:

Last year, Renault delivered 45,745 Zoe electric cars in Europe. It represents a 19% increase in sales over the previous year:

The Zoe’s momentum is helped by the fact that Renault is often updating the vehicle with better specs and new designs.

The 2020 version of the electric car introduced one of the biggest changes to date with a new 52 kWh capacity.

Renault says that it enables 390 kilometers (242 miles) of WLTP-rated range:

“New ZOE has a Z.E. 50 battery which takes its range up to 390 kilometers on the WLTP. It now also offers fast direct current charging, an addition to the alternating current charging options already available at home or on the street.”

The new Zoe is also equipped with a new 100 kW motor to give it a little more power and 50 kW DC fast-charging.

In France, Renault’s biggest market for the Zoe, the electric car starts at just de 23,900 €, which is the equivalent of about $26,000 USD.

We tested out the new version of the Zoe last year and came out fairly impressed by the little electric vehicle.

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ENYAQ EXPRESSES BOTH POWER AND EFFICIENCY. WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THE NEW SUV’S NAME?

The ENYAQ model opens a new chapter in the 125-year history of the ŠKODA brand. Not just by being the first ŠKODA electric car built on the MEB platform, but by launching a new family of model names.

ŠKODA SUVs have traditionally had names ending in the letter Q, and the new ŠKODA ENYAQ follows this tradition like the KAMIQKAROQ and KODIAQ models. But the new model’s first letter shows that this tradition is merging with the eMobility era, referenced by the letter E at the beginning of the name.

The name ENYAQ encapsulates the character of the new model. It is derived from the Irish name ENYA, which means “source of life”, which itself expresses the power of the ŠKODA ENYAQ that goes hand in hand with the temperament of an electric SUV and the passion for innovation that produced the new model.

The Irish name Enya has even deeper roots in the language. It comes from the original Irish word eithne, which can be translated as “essence”, “spirit” or “principle”. These various meanings add broader resonance to the new model’s name.

The Irish origin of the name also carries on the tradition of inspiration from rugged corners of the earth. The ŠKODA KAMIQ, KAROQ and KODIAQ models were inspired by the language of the Inuit living in Greenland and Canada, and the names for ŠKODA’s MEB-platform electric models will also be drawn from northerly regions.

Source: Skoda

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Tesla releases first Model Y production picture, hints at body manufacturing breakthrough

Tesla has released the first official picture of a Model Y production vehicle,  as well as pictures of the production line pictures — hinting at their previously discussed body manufacturing breakthrough.

With the release of Tesla’s Q4 2019 financial results, the automaker also announced the start of Model Y production, which happened earlier this month, and the start of deliveries in March.

For almost a year now, we have seen Model Y pre-production prototypes on public roads as part of Tesla’s extensive test program.

The vehicle appears to have evolved a little from the original prototype unveiled in March 2019.

Now Tesla is sharing the first official picture of a production Model Y with side-by-side comparison with the original prototype:

The first picture of the production version of the Model Y confirms that Tesla is making the chrome delete standard — a first for a Tesla vehicle, but a popular after-market modification among owners.

It also features some design refinements, especially on the front end of the electric SUV.

Along with the first official picture of the Model Y, Tesla shared a series of pictures of the Model Y production line in Fremont, California:

The images show large body parts to build the Model Y, which is something Tesla said it was working on.

In an interview last year, CEO Elon Musk said that Tesla is moving to an aluminum casting design instead of a series of stamped steel and aluminum pieces for the Model Y body:

When we get the big casting machine, it’ll go from 70 parts to 1 with a significant reduction in capital expenditure on all the robots to put those parts together.

This would represent a major breakthrough in body manufacturing, and the images represent the first visual proof that Tesla is making it a reality.

The automaker has designed a giant new machine to be able to produce vehicle frames in almost one piece.

With the launch of the production version, Tesla has also found some other efficiency improvements leading to an increase in Model Y range to 315 miles.

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After LiveWire, here’s a look at Harley Davidson’s next electric motorcycle

The LiveWire may have been Harley-Davidson’s first foray into electric motorcycles, but it certainly wasn’t its last. And taking a look at the next Harley-Davidson electric motorcycle in the works may help lend some insight into the direction this legacy motorcycle manufacturer is headed.

To be fair, Harley-Davidson has always been clear that the LiveWire was just its opening salvo on the electric motorcycle front.

And while the $30,000 LiveWire is meant to serve as a halo product that showcases the manufacturer’s abilities in the electric motorcycle space, it is the slew of upcoming Harley-Davidson electric two-wheelers that will be more attractive to the masses.

That includes everything from electric bicycles to an awesome-looking H-D electric moped/scooter, and even a Harley electric dirt bike. But perhaps most interesting is the mid-power offering that H-D has promised will be ready by 2022 at the latest.

There’s no official name yet for Harley-Davidson’s second electric motorcycle. So far, the company has simply referred to its as the “Mid Power” option internally and in investor presentations.

But the bike has to have been in the works for a while now at Harley’s Silicon Valley R&D center, considering we got our first look at a design sketch over 18 months ago, seen below:

First design concept sketch of Harley-Davidson mid-power electric motorcycle

All indications are that this bike will be a smaller and (hopefully) more affordable electric motorcycle that can interest younger riders. In fact, winning over younger riders has been a leading goal of H-D’s electric motorcycle push for the last few years.

Compared to the LiveWire, the initial design sketch shows a lighter bike for a single rider, a smaller motor, and a smaller battery pack. And perhaps most importantly of all, it looks rather un-Harley. And that’s not a slight, but rather an observation that could speak to H-D’s goal of expanding its ridership. While the LiveWire is an impressive bike, the H-D team did a pretty decent job of retaining the look and feel of a Harley. A head-on shot screams H-D, especially with that headlight. And while that honors H-D’s long design legacy, it may not be the best way to win over younger riders that frankly don’t care much about legacy.

Harley-Davidson livewire

Harley-Davidson LiveWire — very much still a Harley

But the design sketch of Harley-Davidson’s next electric motorcycle shows a distinctively new direction. The frame doesn’t obscure the battery like in the LiveWire, but rather shows it off as a central design piece, accentuating the bike’s electric powertrain. The distinctive Harley headlight is gone in favor of a smaller unit.

The bike seems to have some flat track DNA in it, but with a sportier twist. It looks almost like an American take on a smaller Japanese sport bike. It feels fun and new.

harley-davidson mid-weight electric motorcycle

Updated concept sketch of Harley-Davidson mid-power electric motorcycle

And when you check out a more recent sketch, above, we can see H-D doubling down on these design notes. The bike retains a similar small, sporty stance. But now it looks even more fit for production with additions including a larger battery, a forward-mounted controller (likely for cooling), a coaxially mounted motor/swingarm, and even pillion pegs for a passenger.

This is shaping up into an electric motorcycle that I’d stand in line to buy.

And the fact that it is a Harley-Davidson seems almost secondary now. There’s obviously still branding there, but the bike embodies a new direction. It’s almost as if H-D designers started with a different goal this time. Instead of asking “How can we design a roaring electric Harley?” the team asked themselves, “How can we design an electric motorcycle to win over the masses? And oh right, it’s also a Harley, by the way.”

The current corporate timeline puts this mid-power electric motorcycle in the 2021-2022 window, which feels frustratingly far off.

But we waited five years for LiveWire, so if we have to wait two more years for this one, I think I’ll find a way to survive.

Though with all of the interesting small and middle-weight Asian electric motorcycles heading our way, I hope H-D doesn’t dawdle. The electric motorcycle market is quickly becoming more crowded, and it’s H-D’s game to lose now. So chop-chop, Milwaukee. Let’s see what you can do!

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Tesla Model 3 is disrupting the luxury sedan market and Model Y could do the same

It looks like Tesla Model 3 might be seriously disrupting the luxury sedan market in the US, based on the sales data in the segment, and Model Y could do the same to the even bigger compact SUV segment.

The Tesla Model 3 has long been positioned as a potential great competitor and electric alternative to the BMW 3 Series, which has been a popular premium sedan for a long time.

In 2018, Tesla reported that BMW’s popular sedan was listed in the top 5 cars Model 3 buyers are trading in.

Bernhard Kuhnt, chief executive officer of BMW North America, admitted that the ‘Tesla Model 3 is putting pressure on the market’.

And it’s not only BMW that is feeling the pain.

A new report from Wheels Joint correlates the decline of virtually all cars in the premium sedan segment to the ramp-up of Model 3 deliveries in the US:

“Tesla Model 3 is disrupting the luxury sedan market at an unprecedented rate. A compilation of historical sales data for top ten best selling luxury sedans in the US has revealed the extent of disruption in this segment.”

They released this chart:

The publication added to the finding:

“A sudden downward shift in all the vehicles can be clearly seen in the chart after mass production of Tesla Model 3 kicked off in 2018. The downtrend is further extended in 2019.”

They listed the sales growth for 2017-2019 of the top vehicles in the segment:

  • BMW 4-Series: -53%
  • Mercedes-Benz C-Class: -37%
  • Infiniti Q50: -36%
  • Acura TLX -24%
  • Audi A4/S4: -23%
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class: -21%
  • BMW 3 Series: -20%
  • BMW 5-Series: -5%
  • Lexus ES: -0.12%

Source: Electrek