More all-electric vehicles are set to come on stream with improved driving range and rapid charging capabilities.
Some of the biggest challenges makers face in offering all-electric vehicles to the market are tackling issues of range anxiety and long recharging times.
In fact, these two particular facets have been largely to blame for failing to convince users of cars powered by conventional internal combustion engines (ICEs) in switching to zero-emissions counterparts.
While EV manufacturers have now managed to come up with the latest in lithium-ion battery technology to extend the driving range to as much as 500km, it is only recently that efforts have been made to reduce charging times to more acceptable levels.
Porsche, for one, has chosen the ongoing Geneva motor show to showcase a new concept EV that can be quick-charged in 15min for a 400km driving range. The Mission E Cross Turismo has an 800V electric system capable of 600hp and a 3.5sec 0-100kph acceleration time.
Like many other makers, Porsche believes that a large number of EV users usually don’t travel that much on a single charge in a day. However, providing long touring ranges is deemed vital in giving potential buyers peace of mind.
Next year, Porsche will roll out its first EV based on the 2015 Mission E concept car. The next EV could this Mission E Cross Turismo, which has extra boot versatility in the same vein that separates today’s ICE-powered Panamera and Sport Turismo models. Adding extra appeal to the Mission E Cross Turismo is a raised body height.
Although such technologies could be shared vastly among various brands within the Volkswagen Group, other in-house nameplates have come to the annual Swiss motor show with slightly different approaches.
Audi has brought a near-production version of the so-called e-tron which first appeared as a show car last year. The all-electric SUV is being disguised with light camouflage and some samples are campaigning on the streets of Geneva.
The Thai Audi importer is reportedly planning to bring the e-tron to showrooms toward the end of this year, although it isn’t eyeing to make good money out of it because it is only the start of a completely new thing in a country still filled with petrol-powered passenger cars and diesel-belching pickups.
After revealing a range of all-electric concepts in guises of hatchback, MPV and SUV, Volkswagen is now pondering a saloon body style for its future ID family of EVs.
The ID Vizzion is also capable of Level 5 full driving autonomy, that is, being able to drive completely by itself without the driver needing to be behind the steering wheel.
Seat, VW’s Spanish offshoot, has created a new standalone performance brand called Cupra. In a bid to make Cupra as relevant as possible in world trying to move away from ICE-powered cars, it has developed an all-electric racer for Touring Car Championships.
Based on the Leon hatchback, the e-Racer can develop 680hp at its peak, sprint from 0-100kph in 3.2sec and attain a top speed of 270kph.
And while many other manufacturers have already announced their EV intentions via past concept cars, SsangYong has become the latest to confirm such a strategy. Likewise, it is using an SUV to showcase EV tech because such a body style is easy to sell at the moment.
The e-SIV is the size of a Honda CR-V and has a 320-450km driving range. SsangYong says the battery can be quick-charged to 80% in 50min.
Aston Martin, meanwhile, is set to become the first to create a new brand dedicated to just electric power. Lagonda, a name revived from the past, could sire both saloon and SUV body derivatives by 2023.
DRIVING FUN: While the EV buzz continues, enthusiasts can still crave for old-school stuff.
BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe
After announcing plans to revive the 8 Series moniker last year, Munich has showcased a third body style following the Coupe and Convertible in the form of Gran Coupe. Additionally, the sleek four-door coupe is being previewed with the M8 treatment, although no technical details have been revealed. BMW freely says the Gran Coupe will go on sale next year after the other two body dervs.
Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept
After years of speculation, the legendary Supra nameplate has been confirmed for a comeback. The production-ready coupe is set to be unveiled later this year and is being jointly developed with the pending BMW Z4 roadster. The decision by Toyota to highlight the Supra in racing livery also confirms its motorsport intentions.
Hyundai Le Fil Rouge
Korea’s major car player has chosen to highlight its booth with a concept car bearing the new design language for all of its future saloons and SUVs. The fancily named show car possesses a very pronounced front grille design which is a further evolution of today’s visual DNA.
Subaru Viziv Tourer Concept
Another show car in the Viziv family of concepts has appeared from Japan’s diminutive car maker. This time round, an estate body is being teased along with the brand’s latest Eyesight driver-assist technologies. It’s not known yet whether this particular Viziv is previewing the looks of the next-gen Levorg.
Skoda Vision X
VW’s Czech car arm has taken the popular SUV body and stuffed it with a CNG-capable 1.5-litre petrol-turbo engine driving the front wheels. There’s also an electric motor propelling the rear axle essentially making the Vision X a hybridised all-wheel-drive SUV.
NEW ENTRIES: And why they stand a chance of selling in Thailand.
