Audi concept with variable wheelbase
The Audi Skysphere concept is an electric two-door in roadster and sedan form.
It has a revolutionary variable wheelbase. Electric motors and a sophisticated mechanism with body and frame parts that slide into one another allow the wheelbase to be varied by 250 mm.
The driver can choose whether he wants to drive a 4.94 m long roadster or a 5.19 m long autonomous tourer. In the latter mode, the steering wheel and pedals step back into an invisible area.
With 465 kW and 750 Nm of torque, the rear-wheel drive 1.8-ton Skysphere accelerates to 100 km / h in four seconds. In autonomous mode, a range of more than 500 km should be achieved.
The car has an advanced air suspension system and rides on 23-inch wheels.
Santa Fe gets 1.6-liter hybrid drive
The front end of the car receives multi-faceted headlights and indicators that merge with a bold grille. PHOTO: HYUNDAI
Hyundai’s significantly redesigned Santa Fe Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) will hit the market from the end of September.
The front end of the car receives multi-faceted headlights and indicators that merge with a bold grille. Distinctive cladding adds to its rugged appearance.
Instead of a 2.4-liter gasoline engine, the Santa Fe is now powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with direct injection and a 44.2 kW electric motor.
With a combined output of 230 hp, the six-speed automatic car reaches 100 km / h in 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 187 km / h (compared to 10.4 seconds and 195 km / h for the 2.4-liter pre-facelift).
The refreshed SUV will also have a range of driving aids. Hyundai claims the car will be built on a new platform, with slight increases in the exterior dimensions, no change in the wheelbase, and a bit more interior space.
Renault cooperates with Geely
Renault and Geely will jointly develop gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles for China and South Korea, according to Reuters.
In China, where more than 25 million vehicles were sold last year, Renault will use Geely’s newly launched hybrid car system, headquartered in Hangzhou, to develop Renault-branded vehicles.
This is the first step since Soh Weiming from Singapore, a former senior Volkswagen executive, became Renault’s China boss earlier this year. Last year Renault abandoned its main Chinese joint venture with Dongfeng Motor due to poor sales.
In South Korea, where Renault manufactures cars at Renault Samsung Motors, the French company will study the production of cars with Geely technologies.
VW’s interpretation of the BMW X6
The Volkswagen ID5 GTX is an electric “SUV coupé” that is powered by two engines. The all-wheel drive should have a range of 497 kilometers, be able to receive software updates over the air and is equipped with car-to-everything communication.
Similar to a BMW X6, the ID5 GTX is VW’s first attempt to unite the opposing values ​​of SUV and coupé.
The ID5 GTX is VW’s first attempt to unite the opposing values ​​of SUV and coupé. PHOTO: VOLKSWAGEN
Skoda EV batteries have a second life in showrooms
Skoda will use worn out EV batteries in its showrooms. Each of the Second Life batteries stores up to 328 kWh of electricity and is expected to last for up to 15 years.
The system can be scaled up or down and the batteries can be exchanged in a few simple steps if necessary. Skoda plans to build more than 4,000 units in the coming years.
The lithium-ion batteries will come from electric and plug-in cars. At the end of this second life, Skoda will recycle the cells in order to recover raw materials for the production of new batteries.
Morgan builds eight SUVs
Upgraded chassis, underbody and occupant protection give the CX-T a striking visual presence. PHOTO: MORGAN
The Plus Four CX-T is a Morgan that was developed for off-road use. Based on a platform introduced in 2019 on which the Plus Four and Plus Six are based, the trail car is produced with Rally Raid UK, which makes Dakar racing vehicles.
Upgraded chassis, underbody and occupant protection give the CX-T a striking visual presence. Only eight units are built.
Piaggio scooter with radar
Boston-based robotics company Piaggio Fast Forward – a company founded by the Piaggio Group in 2015 – has unveiled sensor technology for consumer and business robots, as well as motorcycles and scooters.
The system for its two-wheelers, which is expected to hit the market in 2022, uses 4D image radar to offer advanced driver assistance systems.