You can easily tell it’s a concept rather than a production model by the lack of B-pillars while the rear doors are hinged at the back. Fancy ambient lighting with long LED strips creates a cozy atmosphere by surrounding the occupants, while rear passengers benefit from an abundance of legroom. There doesn’t seem to be a steering wheel, which can only mean the Audi Urbansphere will be a fully autonomous EV.

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The Skysphere and Grandsphere have more chances of entering production one day than the Urbansphere as the prospects of an Audi minivan seem slim. After all, parent company Volkswagen is already covering that segment of the market with the hugely promising ID. Buzz. In addition, the minivan segment is far less popular than it was before SUVs began to take over, killing conventional cars in the process.

Even if the Urbansphere won’t hit the streets, we’re quite curious to find out how an electric Audi minivan looks. We won’t have to wait much longer to find out since the debut is scheduled to take place on April 19. Chances are the Four Rings had planned to bring the concept to the Beijing Auto Show, but the organizers have postponed the event indefinitely in the wake of a resurgence in coronavirus cases.

All three concepts are more than just for show taking into account that design cues will be adopted by upcoming production models. We’re specifically talking about EVs since the German luxury brand is gradually abandoning vehicles with combustion engines. In fact, it will launch its last new model with a gasoline/diesel unit in 2025, meaning all products arriving from 2026 will be EVs. By 2033, the production of all ICE-powered Audis will come to an end. However, the Ingolstadt-based marque has not excluded the possibility of extending the assembly of conventionally powered cars beyond that date in China where it expects there still might be demand later in the next decade.

Source: Audi

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Designed by Mercedes but manufactured in China by Geely on its bespoke electric platform, the Smart #1 retains the cutesy look of the concept. At 4270 mm long, 1822 mm wide, and 1636 mm tall, the crossover is by far the company’s largest vehicle ever. It has a generous wheelbase of 2750 mm and weighs a hefty 1,820 kg (4,012 lbs). Consequently, it’s also the heaviest Smart to go into production.

Much like combustion-engined Smart cars of the past, the new #1 is also rear-wheel drive. Its electric motor mounted at the back is good for a substantial 272 horsepower (200 kilowatts) and a near-instant torque of 343 Nm (253 lb-ft). The compact crossover riding on massive 19-inch wheels wrapped around 235/45 R19 tires can reach 112 mph (180 km/h), which is more than enough for this type of EV.

Courtesy of a decent-sized 66-kWh battery pack, the future rival for the BMW iX1 and MINI Countryman EV can cover up to 273 miles (440 kilometers) based on the WLTP cycle. Once it’s out of juice, it takes less than half an hour to charge it from 10 to 80% thanks to support for DC charging at up to 150 kW. When using AC charging at 22 kW, replenishing the battery will require around three hours.

Using those nifty pop-out door handles allows you to gain access inside the impressively minimalist cabin. The Smart #1 does away with most physical buttons since nearly all functions can be accessed through the center screen. The 12.8-inch touchscreen with a full HD resolution takes center stage on the dashboard and is complemented by a rectangular digital driver’s display.

Being a bespoke EV, it comes with a small front trunk that can swallow 15 liters. At the back, the cargo area has a volume varying from 323 to 411 liters depending on the position of the rear bench since it slides forward and aft by 13 centimeters. Also worth mentioning is the panoramic glass roof to give the Smart #1’s cabin an airy vibe.

Sales in Europe are programmed to kick off this September, with the first deliveries to customers planned for January 2023. Pricing details have not been disclosed, but the Smart #1 is expected to start from €30,000.

Source: Smart

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Rumors about Hyundai deciding to push back the Ioniq 6’s launch to get an emergency redesign also didn’t help build up excitement around the EV. We will finally get to see the road-going model in the near future as the company’s design boss told Autocar a reveal is happening in the next few months. SangYup Lee reassures fans of the South Korean brand that despite the controversy, the Ioniq 6 “is in the spirit of Prophecy.”

However, he admitted the final version is going to be slightly taller to accommodate the E-GMP2 skateboard architecture. The design of the car has been updated to maximize interior space while its shape was tweaked for better airflow. Much like the Ioniq 5 SUV, the purely electric sedan will adopt the pixel LED theme to make it stand out in an increasingly crowded EV segment.

While the lesser versions will come with rear-wheel drive, there’s a good chance Hyundai is plotting an Ioniq 6 N with the same dual-motor setup as the Kia EV6 GT. In the electric crossover, the powertrain is good for 577 hp, which might be offered in the forthcoming Ioniq 5 N as well since they’re sister models.

According to unconfirmed reports, the Ioniq 6 will be 4,855 millimeters (191.1 inches) long, 1,880 mm (74 in) wide, 1,495 mm (58.9 in) tall, and with a long wheelbase measuring 2,950 mm (116.1 in). Some say the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned to achieve greater aerodynamic efficiency to unlock a greater range, also made possible by fitting a 77.4.-kWh battery pack.

Hyundai is rumored to kick off assembly in July at its Asan plant, which has been overhauled to support the production of the 2023 Ioniq 6. Customer deliveries should begin before the end of the year.

Source: Autocar

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The switch from a liftback to an SUV body style has allowed the engineers to add a third row of seats, meaning the Mercedes EQS SUV will accommodate up to seven people. In addition, there’s going to be a dedicated off-road mode for the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system for those very few who will want to drive off the beaten path.

From the preliminary technical specifications disclosed thus far, we know the EQS SUV has the same 126.4-inch wheelbase as the liftback while being a tad wider. Standard air suspension is on the menu, along with a hill-descent feature and 10-degree rear-wheel steering. Inside, the enormous 17.7-inch touchscreen of the normal EQS is carried over, and so is the 12.3-inch display for the front passenger.

It’s going to be slightly bigger than the GLE but smaller than the GLS while offering the spacious cabin of the latter thanks to the dedicated electric platform. That third row we mentioned is going to be optional, while AWD will be standard courtesy of dual motors – one at the front and the other for the rear.

Following its April 19 debut, the 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV will be assembled in Tuscaloosa where it’s going to be joined by the smaller EQE SUV. A sedan version of the EQE is also in the works, while an EV equivalent of the C-Class is bound to arrive later this decade.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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However, the online premiere will happen a few days earlier, on August 18. Mind you, we won’t be seeing a production car, but rather a prototype styled by Italdesign. The famous Italian design house also penned the DMC-12 with its spectacular gullwing doors. A new teaser released today provides a glimpse of the EV’s rear end, which sends a bit of an Audi vibe.

Speaking of the gullwing doors, you can already see the cutouts in the roof for the doors that open upwards in the same vein as the original, ill-fated sports car. Hopefully, the DMC-12’s spiritual successor will be more successful than its short-lived predecessor. The new concept car will go by the official name of EVolve and is expected to offer more than 300 miles (483 kilometers) of range.

The electric sports car won’t be an all-DeLorean effort as aside from externalizing the styling to Italdesign, the EVolve will use batteries and electric motors from a third party. Don’t expect hypercar performance, but DeLorean Motors Reimagined chief executive office does say it’s been developed for “people who want to drive.” Since the newly founded company is small, the initial plan is to sell the car in low numbers. It’ll ride on a bespoke platform with a design that’ll make compromises in terms of aerodynamics for the sake of style.

It’s perfectly normal to remain skeptical even with new teaser images coming out, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that this car will be more than just a pretty rendering.

Source: DeLorean

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Reuters cites a VW Group spokesperson saying the global recall is necessary because of a fire risk. The issue stems from a potentially defective fuse in the drivetrain. In a worst-case scenario, the fuse won’t work as it should when there’s an overvoltage. To fix the problem, technicians will have to install an insulating mat on the battery’s switch box.

No fewer than 16 cases have been reported thus far at home in Germany, prompting the VW Group to issue a global recall. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) regulator, these vehicles suffer from “inadequate fastening of the engine design cover that can lead to contact with hot parts and subsequently to fire.”

Approximately 42,300 VW Golf, Tiguan, Passat, Arteon, and Multivan T7 vehicles are impacted by the recall, while luxury brand Audi must fix 24,400 units of the A3 and Q3. The rest of the vehicles until 100,000 belong to Skoda and SEAT as the mainstream brands from the Czech Republic and Spain also use PHEV tech developed by their parent company. For example, about 22,000 units of the 2021 Octavia and Superb PHEV have been hit with a recall.

Although the VW Group is pressing ahead with its EV agenda, plug-in hybrids remain important. So much so that the next-generation Audi A4 will bring a more advanced PHEV setup courtesy of a bigger battery pack for a longer electric range. Expect future plug-in hybrids from VAG to cover more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) without sipping any fuel. Hopefully, the German automotive giant will learn from its mistakes and won’t repeat them on next-gen electrified cars.

With VW confirming the Golf and Tiguan will live to see a new generation, it tells us PHEVs won’t be discontinued until the end of the decade or even later.

Source: Reuters

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The vehicle in question is believed to be smaller than the Enyaq but slightly bigger than the Volkswagen ID.3. It is worth mentioning Skoda has already announced plans to launch three electric models by the end of the decade. One of them is likely previewed by this vehicle, rumored to be around 4.5 meters (177 inches) long. From what’s visible in the adjacent teaser photo, the vehicle has a completely enclosed front grille, thus strongly suggesting there’s no combustion engine that needs to be cooled.

A vertical strip of LED daytime running lights has been installed at the outer corners of the headlights, while the front bumper appears to have a closed-off configuration. We’re not entirely certain, but the electric crossover probably has cameras instead of traditional glass mirrors, which reinforces our belief it’s a concept rather than a production model. If our assumption is correct, the road-going model has slim chances of arriving until 2024 at the earliest.

Short front and rear overhangs indicate it’s underpinned by a dedicated electric car platform, which can only be the omnipresent MEB used by the Enyaq and the new Enyaq Coupe. The smallest EV that Skoda is working on will sit on the MEB-Small architecture set to feature a front-wheel-drive layout. Expect the city car to arrive in the latter half of the decade, so after this unknown crossover.

Skoda has developed a habit of rolling out “Vision” concept cars as a window into the brand’s future. Consequently, the showcar arriving later in 2022 could carry this moniker, but the subsequent production car will be called something else. When the Modern Solid design language is unveiled in the coming months, “there will be a real wow moment – both for customers and our competition, too” – according to a statement made by departing CEO Thomas Schäfer. He will take the lead of the VW core brand starting tomorrow, April 1.

Source: Skoda

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As a refresher, the EV was imposingly large, stretching at 4,930 millimeters (194 inches) long, 2,055 mm (81 in) wide, and 1,790 mm (70 in) tall, with an extended wheelbase measuring 3,100 mm (122 in). Sadly, the new press release issued this week doesn’t contain any additional information about what will be a sister model of the Hyundai Ioniq 7. Later, a more upscale equivalent from Genesis should hit the market.

We will remind you Kia mentioned the Concept EV9 had an unspecified battery pack to cover 300 miles (483 kilometers) between charges. The electric showcar from LA was touted as having support for a maximum charging power of 350 kW. Consequently, the South Korean brand said juicing up the battery from 10 to 80 percent could be achieved in as little as half an hour or even less.

The concept’s exterior is unlikely to change too much on the road to production, but the fancy cabinis unlikely to be this high-tech for the road-going model. The Concept EV9 had a giant 27-inch screen along with a lounge-like configuration by changing the seat layout. The second row transformed into a table while the driver and front passenger were able to face the third-row occupants thanks to swiveling front seats.

Chances are the EV9 will arrive in the United States for the 2024 model year and we’d wager it’s going to set you back approximately $50,000. That seems like an educated guess considering the EV6 begins at $40,900 MSRP before any applicable EV-related incentives.

Source: Kia

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The sporty shape makes the Lotus Eletre look somewhat smaller than it actually is. We’re dealing with an SUV stretching at a stately 5,103 millimeters (201 inches) long that carries a long wheelbase measuring 3,019 mm (118.8 in). It’s 2,231 mm (87.8 in) wide with the conventional mirrors, but the width decreases to 2,135 mm (84 in) with the side cameras. Although its weight has not been mentioned, we do know the engineers made extensive use of aluminum and carbon fiber to shave off fat. In fact, all the black body parts are made from carbon fiber while the other panels are in aluminum.

The swoopy SUV with its coupe-like roofline is the latest model to adopt a split headlight design with an upper LED strip for the daytime running lights. Speaking of design trends, the full-width light bar at the back is also a common occurrence in today’s car scene. The same can be said about the “floating” roof effect by painting all the pillars black.

Especially in this yellow shade, we’re getting the impression of a Lamborghini Urus silhouette or a four-door sports car on stilts. It certainly has the performance of a fully fledged performance machine by promising to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than three seconds. It comes as standard with all-wheel drive courtesy of two electric motors.

Lotus specifies power starts at 600 horsepower, which means it’s already cooking up hotter versions of the Eletre with more oomph. Another missing piece of the puzzle has to do with torque, which an educated guess tells us it’ll be significantly higher than the horsepower figure. In the case of the BMW iX M60, it packs 610 hp and a colossal 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).

The sleek SUV is equipped with a large battery featuring a generous capacity of over 100 kWh to enable an estimated WLTP range of 373 miles (600 kilometers). Once it’s depleted, the pack can be charged at up to 350 kW, which translates to 248 miles (400 kilometers) of range after only 20 minutes of charging.

It’s by far the most technologically advanced car from Lotus thanks to an industry-first deployable Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) mounted above the windshield. Another tech highlight is the 15.1-inch tilting OLED touchscreen for the infotainment system, which can work together with a head-up display equipped as standard with augmented reality (AR). The traditional instrument cluster has made way for a slim digital screen just 30 mm (1.18 in) high where essential info is displayed and duplicated on the passenger side as well.

Lotus will fit the higher-spec Eletre with no fewer than 23 speakers as part of a premium sound system with 2,160 watts of power. The more expensive models also get a panoramic glass sunroof and 23-inch wheels with ceramic brakes featuring 10-piston calipers for superior stopping power.

The zero-emissions SUV will be offered with a choice between four individual seats or a more traditional five-seat layout with a rear bench. Lotus mentions Eletre has been developed with everything from rear-wheel steering to an air suspension, not to mention torque vectoring, five-link rear suspension, and an active anti-roll bar. There’s even a dedicated off-road mode, not that many people will take their electric Lotus SUV off the beaten path.

Already available to order, the electric SUV will be built at a new factory in Wuhan, China. The first deliveries to customers are scheduled to take place next year in Europe, the UK, and China. Details about US availability will be disclosed at a later date.

Source: Lotus

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For the time being, the German luxury brand is focusing solely on the T-Class powered by combustion engines. Logic tells us it too will be largely based on the French van, but with a more upscale interior and a premium exterior. Mercedes remains tight-lipped about the technical specifications, albeit we do know the Concept EQT was 4945 mm long, 1863 mm wide, and 1826 mm tall.

The all-electric van is believed to inherit the powertrain from the Kangoo Electric E-Tech where the e-motor pumps out 101 hp and 245 Nm (181 lb-ft). Renault sells its version of the workhorse with a small 45-kWh battery pack providing enough juice for 165 miles (265 kilometers) per the WLTP cycle. The production-ready minivan is unlikely to stray away too far from the donor vehicle.

Both the T-Class with its gasoline and diesel engines along with the electric EQT are going to be assembled in France at the same Stellantis factory where the Kangoo and Kangoo E-Tech Electric are manufactured. It looks as though the ICE-powered variants will be the first to go on sale since Mercedes’ teaser doesn’t mention the EQT at all. Even so, the zero-emissions MPV should land by the end of the year or early 2023.

Despite being based on a Renault, Mercedes pledges the T-Class / EQT will be fully fledged luxury vehicles, complete with the MBUX infotainment system. If the concept was any indication, the electric minivan will be a tad larger than the Volkswagen Caddy while offering practical sliding rear doors.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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