For more proof that electric vehicles are going mainstream, keep an eye on CES 2023. The floor was filled with EV concept cars, and cars scheduled to be unveiled were on display.
Ahead of the tech jamboree, the Consumer Technology Association, which runs CES, said it planned to put EVs on pole position at this year’s event. CTA senior director Prabhat Agarwal said his 2021 survey by the CTA showed near-universal satisfaction among EV buyers.
“The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is right before our eyes, and the building blocks of the EV economy are shaping up before our eyes… EVs are clearly on a growth trajectory, clearly demonstrated at CES 2023. ,” Agarwal said last month.
Several auto companies chose to show off their new EVs at this year’s show, while others chose to build booths highlighting their efforts to become EV makers. At this year’s Hyundai and Kia exhibit space, called the ZER01NE pavilion, the automaker will showcase collaborations with start-ups working on “groundbreaking technological advances” in several areas.
Mercedes-Benz, which recently unsuccessfully partnered with US EV startup Rivian to build an electric van, also plans to focus on its electrification strategy and “tech dialogue” instead of showing off hardware.
As for the electric vehicles themselves, standard EVs are on display, like Volvo’s EX90 SUV, but that’s not the spirit of CES.
Stellantis unveils electric ram, Peugeot
Stellantis, the automotive group that owns brands such as Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Maserati, Peugeot and Fiat, will deliver a keynote and discuss plans to electrify its vehicles by the end of 2010. some new cars.
The Ram 1500 Revolution battery electric car was unveiled, as was the Peugeot Inception concept car, a new concept EV sports car.
Ram 1500 Revolution EV – Click to Enlarge
The Ram EV was first built on Stellantis’ new STLA frame and appears to be aimed at Ford’s F-150 Lightning BEV. The Ram boasts excellent range, towing capacity and other measurements that measure trucks. Stellantis spent a lot of time talking about additional cabin space, buttons replaced by touchscreens, and other “tracknology”, but the ability to charge other vehicles like the F-150 Lightning I didn’t mention about
The Peugeot Inception Concept EV is designed to be a ‘lounge-like’ vehicle with minimal space occupied by dash instruments. Instead, it has a tablet-like steering wheel that reveals all the dials, and everything is retracted into a more relaxing space.
Stellantis also claims that the Inception has a range of 500 miles and is representative of a future electric Peugeot due to go on sale in 2026, although it won’t necessarily hit the market as it’s a concept. ing.
Peugeot Inception Concept Car – Click to Enlarge
Also on display is the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT BEV. This one was first unveiled to the public back in August, but it might be worth a look as it features a “Flatzoic Chamber Exhaust” system that’s as loud as an internal combustion engine. muscle car.
according to motor trends, The “exhaust” system works by detecting when the vehicle is converting electricity into power (i.e. accelerating). This causes the air to “pass through the exhaust system and the sound produced through the amplifier and tuning chamber at the rear of the vehicle.”
Volkswagen Digital Camouflage: Coming Soon
Volkswagen is set to show off its latest electric sedan, the ID.7, at CES 2023, and sadly shows off a wild digital camouflage paint job that probably won’t sell.
Sadly, the VW ID.7 digital camouflage will probably never hit the market – click to enlarge
“More than 40 layers of paint have been applied, some of which are conductive and some of which are insulating,” Volkswagen said in a statement. 22 separate zones can be individually controlled on the vehicle exterior. Combined with the vehicle’s sound system, “the lighting of the individual areas visualizes the rhythm”.
VW sees the ID.7 as an entry into the premium side of the EV market (although it hasn’t disclosed a price), it will also feature an extended head-up display, a 15-inch touchscreen panel and will be the first fully electric. . A VW sedan based on the company’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix powertrain.
Sony and Honda’s Afira are EV spirits
Sony and Honda announced a partnership on a “premium electric vehicle” last October, but no further details are available, other than saying they hope to be built in the U.S. and hit the roads of North America by 2026. It made very little clear.
It turns out that the name of the joint EV brand is Afeela. This is because it “represents the ‘FEEL’ at the heart of the travel experience.”
Aside from the odd branding choice, an Afeela concept car has also been revealed, though details regarding battery capacity, range, price and other specs are still unknown.
It was also mentioned at Sony Honda Mobility’s pre-CES press conference that the Afeela-mobile is equipped with 45 cameras and sensors and computing power to perform 800 trillion operations per second. The vehicle is powered by Qualcomm’s automotive SoC and includes mobility services and entertainment developed in partnership with Epic Games.
Sony and Honda are aiming to have Feel Mobile available by 2026, the companies said.
Ok, BMW, you won the crazy concept of the year
The new EV, conceptual or otherwise, doesn’t hold the torch for BMW’s entry on the list of the strangest ideas to come out of CES this year.
The i Vision Dee is an all-electric midsize sedan with a minimalist interior, 32 colors, E Ink paint that can be changed on demand, a head-up display across the windshield, and apparently “the ability to express that feeling.” I have it. As a visual delight, surprise or acknowledgment,” said BMW.
BMW i Vision Dee unveiled at CES 2023
The company tries hard to give this car a personality.
The full-screen HUD can transition between five levels of mixed reality, displaying minimal information, such as driving data, and even a “gateway to a virtual world,” BMW said. I’m here. No mention is made of whether the i Vision Dee can express panic if entering a virtual world while on the move.
Digital illustration of the inside of a Dee
The i Vision Dee’s front grille also features ‘phygital’ icons (a combination of physical icons and digital, according to BMW), which allow the vehicle to generate facial expressions for low-resolution emoji-like clarity. can convey the aforementioned sentiments.
Of course, most of the vehicle’s features are conceptual, but BMW says it plans to add some of them to future Neue Klasse vehicles starting in 2025, most notably a full windshield HUD. . ®
