Small, Clean and Premium
Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are preparing all-electric diminutive cars from 2013
Germany's top three luxury carmakers are showing the world at the ongoing Frankfurt motor show that they are serious about rolling out all-electric cars with no tailpipe emissions from 2013.
The Audi A2 features an aluminium body like its trend-setting predecessor.
Amid a flurry of concept vehicles also shown by many other manufacturers at the biennial German car event, the ones displayed by Audi, BMW and Mercedes are the most significant in the sense that they will be made for series production in the premium B-segment sector, with realistic retail prices for premium car buyers.
Among the most radical one is the BMW i3 whose body is made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastics to help reduce the car's weight caused by the burden of lithium-ion batteries.
The electric motors are placed over the rear axle, essentially making the i3 rear-drive by company tradition. The 170hp electric motor is driven via a one-speed automatic transmission and allows the driver to travel between 130-160km before running out of the CO2-less juice.
To comply with the eco-friendly trend, interior plastics are said to be 25% recycled (in weight) and the assembly process of the i3 is also claimed by BMW to be more efficient because the body and drivetrain will be developed in separate modules before being married together.
Mercedes-Benz will make better use of its existing B-class model range.
While the overall concept of the i3 is meant to be pure electric, BMW is additionally preparing a plug-in hybrid in which a range-extender, in the form of a three-cylinder petrol engine, permits the user to travel to farther places where there's no recharging infrastructure.
This drivetrain principle is being showcased in the i8 supercar _ another concept starring at BMW's stand in Frankfurt. The two-door sports car is equipped with a 350hp plug-in hybrid _ blending a 1.5-litre petrol three-pot range-extender to electric motors _ that can make the i8 sprint from 0-100kph in less than five seconds.
Both of these new models fall into BMW's new "i" sub-brand family and are slated to go on commercial sale from 2013. According to company sources, other body derivatives are being considered, something like an i5 hatchback/crossover bigger than the i3.
Audi's riposte will the A2, a moniker last used in the late 1990s. The A2 concept features a similar aluminium body construction as its trend-setting predecessor.
Both the Audi and BMW share the same 2+2 seat matrix and B-segment body dimensions, although the more conventional 5-seat arrangement is always possible should demand warrant it.
BMW uses carbon-fibre technology for the all-new i3’s body.
Audi says the A2 will be all-electric, although it fell short on the details of the drivetrain. It is understood that Ingolstadt will ensure that the A2 gets a competitive touring range against the i3 when it goes on sale in 2013.
Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, is using an existing model range to find even with its two archrivals. The B-class, albeit in second-generation form, is being fast-forwarded with the so-called E-Cell Plus concept which Mercedes has confirmed for production in 2014.
In pure electric mode, the eco-friendly B-class can travel up to 100km. And like BMW, Mercedes is planning a range-extending three-pot engine to help increase the range to 600km.
Although it was once envisioned that the best of Germany's archrivals would team up in development of the next-generation of electrified cars, talks faltered and resulted in BMW and Germany going separate ways in finding new partners.
To boost economies of scales of small internal combustion engines, Mercedes has joined hands with Nissan-Renault, while BMW has sought the PSA Group (Peugeot and Citroen) to buy its motors. Audi is already part of the mighty Volkswagen Group.
Such cooperation is deemed necessary as Audi, BMW and Mercedes want to offer their advanced cars with prices not erring from today's tags. If sold in Thailand, these three EVS (or plug-ins in some cases) would cost anywhere between 2-3 million baht (with current taxes applied) which is usually the price range of their main-selling models like the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-class.
ELECTRIC MOBILITY
Whacky they may seem, their makers describe these as potentials
AudiUrban
This is Audi's take on modern city transport for two people whose seats are placed in tandem. The electric motors are backed up with lithium-ion batteries that can make the car drive for around 60km. Both a hard-top roof and open-top version, known as Spyder, are being shown.
OpelRAKe
General Motors' German offshoot, for one, says that this has a high potential of reaching showrooms. The RAK e has two seats arranged like in Audi's Urban and weighs just 380 kilos. The 50hp electric motor allows for 100km and can be recharged in 3 hours.
SmartForvision
The most predictable of the four here, the Forvision previews the all-new Fortwo from Daimler's city car division. The two-seat (side-by-side) Forvision is also the most conventional car here and would be able to run for at least 160km on pure electricity.
VolkswagenNILS
VW says the NILS is a very realistic car as it addresses the needs of most motorists today: just one seat for the driver, a 60km touring range and the ability to run on motorways at speeds of up to 130kph.
VIRTUAL CONCEPTS
Meet the show cars that are becoming a reality for the showroom in the near future
Volkswagen Up! Family
What is it: While the production-ready Up! has been launched in three-door form with petrol technology, a raft of other derivatives are being planned including a five-door crossover, GT hot hatch and eco-friendly versions running on either diesel or electricity.
We think: It's a pity VW didn't join the Ecocar project.
Land Rover DC100
What is it: The Brits may have confirmed a Defender replacement for 2015 and have previewed it in two variations with modern and retro cues: three-door SUV and open-top version. The design could be changed, according to LR, if customer opinion demands so.
We think: See you in four years... zzz.
Jaguar C-X16
What is it: Late next year, Jaguar will be putting a new baby coupe into production with only minimal changes made to this concept. The technical highlight is a new downsized 3.0-litre supercharged V6 producing an impressive 380hp together with KERS-style hybrid to boost overtaking power.
We think: A formidable alternative for Porsche Cayman money.
SsangYong XUV1
What is it: After moving down to the Korando C-segment crossover from big SUVs, Korea's 4x4 specialist is dipping further into the B-segment with a rival for the Nissan Juke. Confirmed tech are 1.6-litre petrol or diesel, six-speed manual or automatic and 2WD or 4WD.
We think: Sounds nice, but expect the concept to be toned down.
Skoda Mission L
What is it: Ignore its concept tag, this is virtually the real thing that evolved from the Concept D showcar first shown in Geneva this year. It's a C-segment hatchback for emerging markets meant to compete with the Ford Focus and its likes.
We think: As a 1 million baht rival to the Focus, the Yeti crossover sounds better.
BMW i8
What is it: The i8 is an eco-supercar with plug-in hybrid combining electric motors and a 1.5-litre three-pot petrol range-extender. Due in showrooms in 2013, the i8 features a carbonfibre body to reduce weight.
We think: If BMW can really keep the real one as stylish as this...
Seat IBZ
What is it: VW's Spanish offshoot is previewing a new C/D segment saloon, instead of the hatchback variation its sister brand Skoda is showing with the Mission L.
We think: Will it become another Audi rehash like the Exeo?
Ford Fiesta ST
What is it: After giving the ST treatment to the bigger Focus C-segment hatch, Ford is planning to make its Fiesta B-car equally as racy but in three-door form with a 170hp 1.6-litre petrol-turbo to compete with VW Polo GTI.
We think: Great small hot hatch _ that stands no chance of coming to Thailand.
Maserati Kubang
What is it: This is Maserati's first SUV to rival the likes of the Porsche Cayenne. The Kubang _ first developed in 2003 _ will be the based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee but will have a tweaked chassis. The engine will be developed by the Italians.
We think: It took eight years _ better late than never.
JUST FOR SHOW
CITROEN TUBIK
The French may be intrigued by the success of the Volkswagen's iconic Microbus with attributes like lifestyle image and functional interior, but the Tubik is actually still quite far from reality.
FORD EVOS
Ford is sending out a message that it wants to build a Focus-size coupe, so you can expect this shape but not its gull-wing doors and futuristic interior. The last two-door Ford made was the Focus Vignale coupe-cabriolet.
KIA GT
The real pointer in this over-styled concept saloon is the drivetrain beneath: a V6 petrol-turbo, eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. Know-how is courtesy of the Genesis saloon and coupe from sister-brand Hyundai.
MERCEDES-BENZ F125
This futuristic experiment showcases an advanced electric-hydrogen plug-in hybrid capable of doing 1,000km. Relevant details pointing to the next S-class include its design details and interior telematics.
PEUGEOT HX1
It may bear a sleek MPV body with three rows of seats that looks good for production, but Peugeot admits that the HX1 is more of an experiment for modularity, componentry, technology and the environment.
RENAULT FRENDZY
It may look quite plain on the outside, but inside Renault's futuristic concept is an interior that can adjust to different needs of the user: as a business car on weekdays or family car on weekends.
VOLVO YOU
This is a follow-up of the Concept Universe saloon albeit in hatchback form called You. Showcased is a flexible platform that allows for numerous models in the future. The design itself could point to an all-new S80 with fastback body to match Audi's A5/A7 Sportback.
NEWENTRIES - Whythey will sell in Thailand
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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