Borgward premiere's a new electric car at Shanghai, ready for build at the new Bremen plant.

WORLD PREMIERE OF A CONCEPT CAR EQUIPPED WITH AN INNOVATIVE ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM

The Borgward BXi7—Powered by Electricity

At this year’s Auto Shanghai (April 21–28, 2017), Borgward presented the BXi7, an SUV with all-electric drive. The near-series concept car demonstrates the impressive potential of the Borgward e-PROPULSION electric drive platform particularly clearly. The platform is suitable for both SUVs and sedans. The battery makes a big impression with its high energy density. It gives the BXi7 a range of up to 500 kilometers and can be charged to 80 percent of capacity within 30 minutes at a fast-charging station.

An electric motor at both the front and rear axles turn the SUV into an all-wheel-drive vehicle. The motors have a combined output of 200 kW / 272 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Newton meters. The vehicle accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 200 km/h.

A high level of operating comfort is ensured by the e-PROPULSION smartphone app.  Among other things, this app enables drive system and interior preconditioning, the intelligent control of various charging functions, and the monitoring of the vehicle’s range, remaining charging time, and interior temperature.

With its LIGHTNING BLUE paint job, the characteristic appearance of the BORGWARD BXi7 reflects the fresh, forward-looking spirit of BORGWARD e-PROPULSION. Exclusive design features are also displayed by the roof rails with their seamless transition into the roof spoiler, the vehicle’s front and rear bumpers, the rear diffuser, and aerodynamically optimized wheels. The exterior design is rounded out by blue color applications in SKY COLOUR and the signature LED daytime running lights.

The interior is upgraded by large decorative elements in LIGHTNING BLUE, discreet trim, and the typical BORGWARD rhombus seat stitching in SKY COLOUR. This impression of sporty elegance is enhanced by the newly designed gear selector lever in the center console and the large LCD displays.

Bremen to become Borgward’s global center for electric mobility

As announced in fall 2016, Borgward Group AG is establishing its global competence center for electric mobility in Bremen. On a 140,000 square meter site along the Weser River, Borgward will build a production facility for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as well as a test track, a brand studio, and a delivery center. Construction will begin in early 2018, and production is scheduled to commence in 2019. The plant will have a production capacity of 50,000 vehicles per year.

The Renault TreZor scoops the Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year 2016.

• The Renault TreZor scoops the Festival Automobile International’s award for the Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year 2016
• The Renault TreZor is an all-electric GT that embodies the styling cues and technologies set to feature on upcoming Renault models

AWARD-WINNING RENAULT TREZOR

The 32nd Festival Automobile International at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, France, has singled out the Renault TreZor as the Most Beautiful Concept Car of 2016.

“I would like to thank the jury for this award which inspires us to continue to pursue our design strategy,” says Laurens van den Acker, SVP Corporate Design, Renault. 

“The TreZor’s powerful, sensuous lines pave the way for the styling and technologies that will be features of our upcoming models. It also marks the beginning of a new cycle of Renault concept cars.”

“The jury decided this award should go to the TreZor because of the extreme beauty, sensuality and elegance it exudes,” observes Rémi Depoix, President of the Festival Automobile International. 

“It is the epitome of a concept car and we were notably won over by the cohesion of its overall design and the attention that has been paid to the details. It is a fine creative work which, we hope, will inspire Renault’s future roadgoing models.”

A POINTER TO THE STYLING PHILOSOPHY OF UPCOMING RENAULTS

The lines of the Renault TreZor are warm, sensuous and refined, while its assertive front end incorporates signature C-shaped lights. In terms of their styling, Renault’s upcoming models will draw their inspiration from the TreZor’s DNA as their forms become even more fluid and mature.

The TreZor’s interior design, meanwhile, places the emphasis on driving enjoyment and features a large enveloping touchscreen display that reinforces the cockpit feel. 

This customisable, connected interface juxtaposes warming, prestige materials like wood and leather. The interiors of upcoming Renault models will take their inspiration from these increasingly refined styling trends and connected technologies.

For the duration of this year’s Festival International de l’Automobile, the Renault TreZor will be on display at the Hôtel des Invalides alongside other concept cars selected by the jury. This display will be open to the public from 1-5 February 2017.

Infiniti Concept Vision displayed at Gran Turismo® GT Sport Launch.

Displayed alongside seven other full-size concept cars, the largest ever gathering of GT concept vision cars in one place, the vehicle provides a visualisation of what a high performance Infiniti could look like in the future.

The car was developed through close collaboration with the creators of Gran Turismo®, the racing game franchise developed by Polyphony Digital Inc. that has sold more than 72 million copies worldwide. The Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo will be featured in the new GT-Sport game when it is released in November.

The Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo is a project that started as an ambitious global Infiniti Design competition to "design a pure Infiniti GT car". The winning model was born from the theme put forward by Infiniti's Design team in Beijing. Part beauty, part beast, its shape is powerful, sensual and audacious – a mix of a track machine and the dream of our Chinese design team to create an ambitious racing language for Infiniti.

The process of developing the design of the Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo started with hand sketching, then refined digitally, refined again by hand sculpting, and then returned to digital for final refinement.

This project went much further than being a mere design exercise. It included thorough examinations and calculations of technical features such as aerodynamics and engine performance. The front mid-ship/trans-axle powertrain enables the finely distributed 45:55 front/rear weight balance that fills users with the joy of driving by actively drifting the rear.

As for aerodynamics, the under-floor airflow control, front and back diffusers, and uniquely shaped rear spoiler enable this car to demonstrate high performance without compromising the impact of the body design.

New VW Concept showcases new MEB electric platform & offers a glimpse of next-gen connectivity & infotainment concepts

New Concept showcases new MEB electric platform and offers a glimpse of next-generation connectivity and infotainment concepts

• First VW based on the new Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB)
• Features 101 kWh battery that enables up to 373** miles of pure electric range
• New interfaces signal next-generation display and ergonomic concepts
• BUDD-e becomes integral part in the Internet of Things and links Smart Home and Smart Car technology
• Gesture control 2.0 enables intuitive operation of interior and exterior features
• Bold design captures brand’s heritage while providing a hint at future design direction

Building on the successful unveiling at January’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the Volkswagen BUDD-e makes its U.S. auto show debut at the New York International Auto Show. This is the first vehicle based on the all-new Modular Electric Platform (MEB) that is designed specifically for plug-in vehicles. 

With a range of up to 373** (estimate based on the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC), 233 miles estimate when based on EPA drive cycle) miles coupled with a charismatic, iconic design, this vehicle successfully incorporates Volkswagen’s heritage while providing a glimpse into the brand’s future.

Completely and thoroughly networked, BUDD-e is a mobile interface which connects the vehicle with the world around it. With the BUDD-e Volkswagen has developed a vehicle that is more thoroughly connected with its surroundings than any car before it. 

An integral automotive component in the Internet of Things (IoT), BUDD-e is capable of seamlessly communicating with your Smart Home or office. Featuring next-generation infotainment technologies and offering an advanced new method of operation and information processing, BUDD-e turns travel into a fully interactive, intuitive experience. 

Utilizing the latest in user interface innovation, touch and gesture control merge seamlessly and result in the removal of switches and buttons inside the cabin, individual displays that blend into large infotainment panels, and digital screens instead of analog mirrors. 

The convergence of these new, interactive infotainment and operating systems provides a view of potential applications in Volkswagen products in the next decade.

MEB: The new architecture for Volkswagen’s electric vehicles

With BUDD-e, Volkswagen demonstrates what electric mobility could be like by the year 2019. Volkswagen’s new MEB platform will enable a series production car to have pure electric range that is on par with today’s gasoline-powered cars by the end of the decade. The time required to charge the batteries to 80 percent of capacity is anticipated to be reduced to about 30 minutes by then, marking an operational breakthrough for EVs.

BUDD-e is the first concept car developed by the Volkswagen Group that is underpinned by the new Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB). This architecture heralds a fundamental change in electric cars and ushers in a revolution in automotive technology, leaving today’s fossil-fuel powered internal combustion engines and drivetrains in the past. This significant innovation will lead to huge changes in the development of electric-powered Volkswagens in the years to come, from body and interior design, to packaging and drive characteristics.

The new platform is designed to have the space for electric drive components and large batteries while maintaining interior space and driving dynamics. MEB will allow for spacious interiors with the smallest possible footprint to enable easy and nimble transportation. In addition to their space, MEB vehicles will offer high levels of functionality and networking thanks to the new vehicle architecture, instrumentation, and operating systems. New and enhanced assistance systems will provide passengers with safer transport.

Dynamic performance is, and will remain, a key part of Volkswagen’s DNA, and MEB vehicles will be no exception. With a focus on optimal balance, future VW vehicles based off the platform will offer the kind of agility, strong acceleration and handling that VW customers have come to expect. New battery and electric drive componentry will enable inexpensive access to e-mobility: a much longer purely electric range will allow these vehicles to become the primary transportation in many consumers’ households.

The new MEB delivers a drivetrain architecture that is specifically tailored for the integration of compact electric motors and high-performance, highly-efficient batteries. The 101 kWh battery is flat, to save space, and integrated into almost the entire vehicle floor. It powers two electric motors, one to drive each axle.

The front and rear motors power all four wheels and enable a top speed of 93 mph. The total range of up to 373** (estimate based on the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC), 233 miles estimate when based on EPA drive cycle)  miles is achieved on a full charge, putting the BUDD-e on a level playing field with today’s gasoline-powered cars. Like today’s electric vehicles, the BUDDE-e offers several levels of plugged-in charging with the added benefit of cordless inductive charging.

Another benefit of the new MEB is entirely new packaging opportunities, highlighted throughout the BUDD-e concept. One significant enhancement is illustrated by the arrangement of the heating and air conditioning unit. For instance, the innovative new heating and air conditioning unit has been completely integrated in the front end of the car which allows for significantly more available space, improves air quality (thanks to larger and more robust filters), and results in a reduction of fan noise inside the cabin for excellent acoustics.

The concept van is 181 inches long, 76.3 inches wide and 72.2 inches high, placing it between two very successful Volkswagen models sold in Europe, the Touran and the Multivan T6. Due to its generous width, relatively long wheelbase (124.1 inches), and very short overhangs (27 inches at the front and 28.9 inches and the rear), the BUDD-e’s proportions are very appealing.

Exterior design

Inspired by the iconic charm of classic Volkswagen vans, the BUDD-e’s design focuses on the aesthetics of functionality. Practical, clean, innovative, powerful and appealing, the concept has a two-tone color scheme, with its body painted in “Nevada White” below the window edge, and the roof in “Phoenix Copper.”

The front end design of the BUDD-e is unmistakably Volkswagen. The area around the VW logo can be backlit by integrated LED modules in a number of different ways, creating an external ambient light that tapers towards the sides, and a narrow stripe that continues all the way around the van. 

The main headlights, which also use LED technology, are placed high up, while transparent surfaces to the left and right of the headlights house integrated LED indicators that carry into the vehicle’s silhouette. Viewed from the front, the V-shaped design of these styling cues resemble elements from the original Volkswagen Microbus and Beetle, with a futuristic flare that provides an entirely new interpretation of the brand’s design DNA.

The van’s silhouette is characterized by a flat and elongated roof line, long windows with glazed A-pillars, 21-inch aluminium-alloy wheels, and light modules that start at the front and reach around the vehicle’s flanks. A narrow LED stripe, which runs all the way round the car, acts as a character line and delivers exterior ambient lighting. 

The silhouette comes across as especially clean, thanks to an absence of door handles and wing mirrors, as these components have been completely redesigned and replaced by electronic solutions. Flared D-pillars, which also contain the LED strip for the rear lights, accentuate the design further.

At the rear, the BUDD-e’s aerodynamic design promotes airflow through the gloss black D-pillars, reducing aerodynamic drag and simultaneously optimizing rear downforce. Its clean and iconic design continues all the way to the rear, with a large tailgate, reminiscent of the original Volkswagen bus. LED taillight strips reach up into the D-pillars, and the circumferential ambient light give BUDD-e a unique design unlike anything on the road. Last but not least, a C-shaped LED signature surrounds the extractable Drop Box.

Next generation human-machine interface

The interior style of the BUDD-e is characterized by a completely new and innovative human-machine interface—the instrumentation and operating concept of the future. The design is extremely clean and intuitive to use. The technical architecture of the infotainment and control systems, as well as their design, make a quantum leap akin to the jump from flip phones to smartphones or from analog timepieces to smart watches.

With BUDD-e’s interface design, Volkswagen eliminates the traditional distinction between the electronic instrument cluster in front of the driver and the center console infotainment system. In a move towards comprehensive digitalization and the individualization of the driver’s workplace, these two areas have been merged to form a single information hub.

The idea behind the navigation panel is rooted in the car’s original function: driving. Behind the panel resides a sliding 3D navigation map with graphics, which becomes the matrix of an interactive human-machine interface (HMI). This is accomplished via two physically separate displays that blend into one, both optically and functionally.

The first component, Active Info Display, is a freely programmable instrument cluster located in front of the driver; the second is a head unit which was once a separate screen for the infotainment system. Active Info Display captures the conceptual focus on drive information, while the head unit caters to the infotainment needs of all passengers on board. Both of these areas form a united visual and textual environment, as the navigation graphics and the arrangement of media content such as the display of Points of Interest (POI), playlists, apps (App-Connect) and online services (Car-Net) are freely configurable. In addition, the main points and content can also be swapped between the Active Info Display and the head unit.

All of BUDD-e’s systems are operated intuitively by gesture control, touchscreen (displays and touch slider) or voice control. The driver can choose between various intuitive control modes (multi-modal interaction). For example, a simple “Hello BUDD-e” activates the vehicle’s voice control. The system also offers completely natural speech interaction. For example, if the driver asks “turn the heat up a bit, please”, the car will respond immediately and appropriately. The system is also able to locate the passenger giving the commands, and react accordingly. If, for instance, someone sitting in the left rear seat says “It’s too hot here”, BUDD-e can immediately lower the temperature in that passenger’s zone.

The BUDD-e’s freely programmable instrument cluster is an evolution of the Active Info Display first introduced by Volkswagen in 2015. A 12.3-inch curved display with a surface consisting of three individually configurable sections is centrally positioned, right in front of the driver.

Drive, control, consume. In Section I, “Drive”, the center of the Active Info Display, the current travel route is highlighted through a 3D map including buildings and points of interest (POI) as well as navigation instructions. The edges of the navigation image are simultaneously the background of the entire display. In Section II, “Control”, vehicle status and assistance system information is displayed, as well as the current trip data from the on-board computer, left of the Active Info Display.

In Section III, “Consume”, infotainment content such as “Audio”, “Messages”, “Calendar” and “Weather” are displayed on the right. This layout, designed to concentrate on the route and primarily for driver use, is “Driving mode”. Alternatively, as previously outlined, there is a “Travel mode”, in which the details of the route are displayed on the head unit instead, allowing route guidance and planning by the passengers. The fuel consumption data (left), speed indicator (middle) and information on the energy reserves and range (right) are always displayed in a constant position at the bottom section of the display.

The head unit, the part of the new HMI easily seen and used by front-and rear-seat passengers, is located in the middle of the dashboard. Its 13.3-inch display is linked to the Active Info Display, both graphically and via software. The head unit displays the extended 3D navigation map (including buildings) as a default setting. The top level of its surface consists of freely assignable tiles that are available in two different sizes. Up to eight tiles in total can be arranged next to each other. Through this, passengers can display “Trip data“, “Audio” (playlist/song/cover) or “Messages” in “Driving mode.” “Travel mode” puts the emphasis on graphical representations of travel content. A Home button in the middle of the head unit takes the user straight out of each menu, back to the top level menu.

Similar to smartphones, a menu tab is integrated at the top of the screen. Opening this menu permits quick and easy access to key functions and menu items. These include vehicle functions such as opening and closing the hatch or sliding door, and menu items like “Music”, “Places”, “Images”, “Phone”, “Connected Home”, and “Videos.” Information on basic functions such as climate control and seat heating is also shown at the bottom of the display, where the all-important button for switching between different modes also resides. An “inbox“ sited to the right of the display can be used to send passenger content to the head unit. The head unit is fitted with proximity sensors that detect an approaching hand and smoothly switch its screen from display to operating mode, allowing users to scroll through audio playlists and other functionality.

Drivers can also toggle from “Driving mode” to “Travel mode” at any given moment. The Active Info Display will continue to focus on specific navigation information, while the representation of the current route is moved to the right onto the head unit, allowing it to correspond to points of interest, which are now shown in greater detail. This functionality makes it easier and more straightforward for anyone on board to locate POIs. Meanwhile, the default displays on the Active Info Display continue to provide the driver with the most important information for the journey. Switching between modes can be done by gesture control, using the Home button, or through the redesigned multifunction steering wheel.

e-Mirror. This feature integrates the displays of the digital wing mirrors (e-Mirror). Images come from two external cameras, which feed into multifunction displays. When stationary, the driver and front-seat passenger can also use these panels to open and close the electric doors. The display on the driver’s side is 7.9 inches in size and the front-seat passenger has a 5.9-inch screen.

Multifunction steering wheel 3.0. Volkswagen’s new multifunction steering wheel is completely switchless, operating via haptic feedback on its smooth surfaces. Individual functions are activated by pressure, or through a swipe gesture. Touching the surface gives the driver palpable haptic “pre-sensing” feedback, allowing them to localize the function. Upon activation of a function, there is another, stronger haptic reaction, making operation more intuitive than present day solutions.

Operation is also no longer limited to the shift paddle, but extends over the entire surface of the operating stack. Raised patterns on the buttons make it easy to find one’s way around the wheel. The driver is also given visual feedback on the selected functions by the Active Info Display. For example, the cover of the song that is currently being played is displayed in the appropriate window. At the same time, icons appear at the edges of the square window—in all four corners. These four icons (scroll up or down, sound and menu) directly match the corresponding directions of the switches on the steering wheel’s operating area, making even the most complex operating sequences simple and intuitive.

Functions such as volume control or zooming into the navigation display can alternatively be controlled through a new touch slider. This is a further enhancement of the system presented at CES in 2015 in the Golf R Touch concept. This new stage of development is characterized by higher sensor resolution, clearly noticeable for driver and front-seat passenger alike, due to the system’s optimized precision and performance. This enables the touch slider to recognize not only the number of fingers on the slider, but their motion as well.

Gesture control 2.0. Volkswagen has significantly enhanced the gesture control system presented in the Golf R Touch at CES in 2015. In the BUDD-e, experts from the Body Electronics division have incorporated sensor technology already capable of recognizing people as they are approaching the vehicle. For the exterior, this is accomplished through the use of infra-red sensors. An intuitive hand gesture opens the BUDD-e’s sliding door. A simple foot movement of the “Virtual Pedal 3.0” opens the electrically operated tailgate, marking a further development of the “Easy Open” function. The gesture control system inside the BUDD-e’s interior is more intuitive than ever before, with the maximum operating distance having been significantly increased. Cameras are used to register if a passenger in the rear compartment wants to open the sliding door, for instance. Interactive displays and projections also assist the driver and passengers during operation. Gestures are recognized without the gesture control system needing to be explicitly activated—as was the case in the Golf R Touch—making it an integral part of operating procedures.

Personalized light. Volkswagen has demonstrated how the dominant color of the display illumination and matching ambient lighting can be individually adapted using the touch slider in the Golf R Touch concept. Now, this functionality also includes opening/start-up and parking/closing of the new BUDD-e. When the car is opened, cockpit and ambient lighting bring the interior to life: when parked, standby mode is initiated. The ambient lighting system implemented in the BUDD-e is a further development of this system. While the previous application was primarily influenced by the driver and the front-seat passenger, controls now extend to the entire interior of the car. It is the first car in which ambient lighting interacts with the gesture control system, and can also be adjusted to suit the surrounding environment.

A car for the Internet of Things

Not only does the BUDD-e’s completely new infotainment concept make travelling more interactive and media more tangible, it also creates a link between the car and the outside world. With BUDD-e, passengers will be able to access their homes and workplaces to perform tasks such as controlling the air conditioning, turning lights on or off, or simply looking to see if their kids are home yet.

BUDD-e will not only provide a connection to an interconnected world, but create an interactive interface to its surroundings. It is conceivable that in the near future, consumables—such as windshield wiper blades—or other kinds of personal items could not only be ordered from the car, but also delivered to it using a “Drop Box”  that is accessible from the outside. The vehicle “reads” an access code to open the Drop Box for authorized parcel delivery services, using a digital key, essentially making the vehicle a mobile mailbox.

At home on the road. Most modern day smart home functions are controlled using smartphone apps, produced by various manufacturers. Volkswagen has found a solution that allows users to access smart home functions while remaining focused on the road ahead. With App-Connect—Volkswagen’s advanced smartphone integration platform—the BUDD-e makes it possible to control certain “Connected Home” functions from the car, while driving. In cooperation with Korean electronics firm LG, Volkswagen will show how it is possible to obtain information about a smart fridge from the BUDD-e. It’s also possible to put the whole house into an energy-saving sleep mode while still in the vehicle. In the future, the BUDD-e will also automatically turn on lights in and around the house as soon as it approaches through home net automation.

At CES, Volkswagen demonstrated, together with the German manufacturer Doorbird, how MirrorLink™ can be used in connection with the newly developed Home-Net Viewer. The interface can display images from cameras mounted in and around the house on one of the car’s multiple screens (a function equally conceivable with future Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ applications). If a visitor rings the doorbell at home, a picture of them, taken by the home camera, is sent to the screen of the infotainment system. The functionality even makes it possible to speak to the visitor using the car’s hands-free kit and, if desired, open the door for them.

Don’t forget anything. BUDD-e can remind its occupants if they have forgotten anything in the car, via their smart watch and/or smartphone. You can also find things in the car using “Home-Net don’t forget”. Through an inventory list, the driver or passengers can see everything that has been put in the car, and if they are still there. The intelligent “Reminder” also informs when particular items should be remembered. For example, if rain is forecast, BUDD-e will notify the driver if there is an umbrella in the car. Relevant items are fitted with a transmitter (a small sticker) in advance, making it possible for the car to locate them. The “Home-Net don’t forget” app uses an encrypted wireless interface, meaning that it is impossible for the items to be located from outside the car, or by unauthorized users.

Smart Gesture. Volkswagen plans to become one of the first manufacturers to integrate gesture control into affordable, mass production cars. BUDD-e demonstrates a broad range of what is possible in the future. Functionality will include in-car control functions which operate certain things at home. A good example of this is the familiar “Easy Open” function, where the BUDD-e can use a laser to project a virtual footprint in front of its hatch. If an authorized user kicks this position, the hatch opens automatically. Opening the door at home will work in the same manner: BUDD-e will project a footprint in front of the door and if the person who lives there puts their foot on it, the door opens—which is very handy if you have your arms full with groceries or children.

GENEVA - Skoda Auto premiere's the VisionS, the future of SUV's for the Czech company/

• The ŠKODA VisionS concept car gives an insight into future SUV models
• Expressive, emotive design with a high level of creative precision
• Overall package: 4.70 metres long, large interior, three rows of seats
• ŠKODA’s concept car is a plug-in hybrid
• ŠKODA ‘Simply Clever’: new operating concept with large displays
• Wide range of infotainment and top-level connectivity features
• In future, ŠKODA will further expand its expertise in the area of automated driving

ŠKODA is taking the next step in the brand’s model campaign: in the coming years, the Czech car manufacturer will be gradually expanding its offering in the SUV segment. 

The ŠKODA VisionS concept car gives an insight into the future SUV above the Yeti, which will be presented in the second half of 2016. Besides the future SUV design language, the show car reveals the most important technological innovations that ŠKODA will be placing an emphasis on in the coming years.

“Our brand continues to develop at a rapid pace,” said ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier. “With the Yeti, ŠKODA has already made a big statement in the compact SUV segment. Our extensive 4×4 expertise is now feeding into an SUV production model above the Yeti. In terms of design, overall package and everyday practicality, the ŠKODA VisionS already provides an insight into our new SUV. 

The show car also exhibits a variety of future technological advances that are becoming more and more important to our customers and therefore to ŠKODA. This is why we are also working on areas such as electromobility, automated driving and the comprehensive networking of car, driver and passengers with their environment.”

The ŠKODA VisionS: setting off into the future

Over the course of its growth campaign, ŠKODA has already extensively updated its model range, expanded into important segments and greatly increased its international market presence. With the future production model above the ŠKODA Yeti, which will be presented in the second half of 2016, ŠKODA will announce its aim to demonstrate the brand’s expertise in all important vehicle segments. The technological prowess and distinctive design language that ŠKODA has developed are now passing over into the brand’s SUV models – with maximum benefits for ŠKODA customers, as always.

In addition to the brand’s proven functionality and new emotive quality, there is now also an increased focus on the use of technological innovations: the VisionS show car features plug-in hybrid drive, a drive system similar to those that will be used in future production cars. Furthermore, ŠKODA is also working on a purely electric drive system.

In terms of connectivity, the ŠKODA VisionS is also pointing the way: the comprehensive networking of car, driver and passengers will make driving a car even safer, as well as providing a more comfortable and confident ride.

Automated driving is another future concept for the brand. Today, drivers of ŠKODA models already enjoy the benefits of systems such as Traffic Jam Assist and Front Assist with integrated City Emergency Brake, which increase safety and comfort. In the future, extending the range of driver assistance systems will play a key role in the brand’s innovation strategy – up to automated driving.

The ŠKODAVisionS: the overall package

With a length of 4.70 metres, a 2.79-metre wheelbase, a width of 1.91 metres and a height of 1.68 metres, the ŠKODA VisionS is a real presence on the road. Based on Volkswagen Group’s modular transverse matrix (MQB), this is the first ŠKODA with six seats spread over three rows.

The interior is ‘democratic’: every person in the car enjoys first-class comfort – the driver as well as the five passengers. There is plenty of head, leg and elbow room for two adults in each of the first two rows of seats. The third row is designed for a further two people.

Depending on the position of the seats, the boot has a capacity of up to 460 l, and is effortless to load thanks to its flat floor, low loading sill and high-lifting tailgate. ‘Simply Clever’ features such as bag hooks make using the ŠKODA VisionS easy and enjoyable.

The exterior design: emotive yet robust

Two years ago, also at the Geneva Motor Show, ŠKODA presented the VisionC design study and thereby its new design style that underlines the brand’s emotive strength: the Fabia and Superb were the first production cars in this style. ŠKODA is now applying its modern design to the SUV segment. “

The VisionS is designed in an expressive, attractive and dynamic way; the design has a balance – typical for ŠKODA – of rationality and aesthetics,” said ŠKODA Head of Design Jozef Kabaň. “The lines of the ŠKODA VisionS have evidently been inspired by the tradition of Bohemian crystal glass art and a touch of cubism: all sections are precise, sharp and clean-cut. 

On the strikingly contoured surfaces, the distinctive play of light and shade creates strong effects that are emphasised even further by the colour Iceland Green.”

Just by looking at the front of the ŠKODA VisionS, the brand’s design identity is clearly visible. Double horizontal lines symbolise protection and strength. The bonnet is extensively sculptured; the edges, that provide the structure, lead to the large, prominently positioned brand logo.

The wide, trapezoid ŠKODA grille with upright struts shape the face together with the four flat, raked, highly-set headlights – their LED technology will shortly go into series production. 

There are four lighting units in each of the upper headlights for high and low beam; their reflectors give the impression that they were the eyelashes of a human eye. The signature daytime running lights complete the main headlights; the lower units provide the fog lights. 

The headlights as well as the brand logo and the vertical struts in the grille are characterised by crystalline design features – also a ŠKODA design tribute to Czech glassmakers.

The side view also illustrates the show car’s robust SUV character. The sharply drawn and greatly recessed tornado line starts at the upper lighting units and stretches across the powerful bodywork. 

The wheel arches, framed by wide angular trims; the elegant upper shoulder contour forms a deep waisting across the door sills. The sloping roofline and the tapered rear end make the show car appear as if it were accelerating even when stationary. The long wheelbase alludes to a large interior.

The rear of the ŠKODA VisionS is sculpturally shaped. The number plate recess tapers rearwards; a powerful diffuser inset, which surrounds the large, elliptical exhaust pipes, provides the SUV show car with a strong visual stance on the road. The rear window, underneath a long spoiler, is kept narrow and sporty, without compromising the view through the back.

The ŠKODA brand logo and the raked LED rear lights sit below the rear window. Their lenses,made from dynamic and multifaceted cut crystal glass, integrate small spoiler lips, which improve the outline and aerodynamic flow. The headlights feature LED units. 

The ŠKODA-typical C-shape starts with the rear lights and continues to the flat reflectors positioned within the rear bumper.

Interior: transparent and neat

Bright, transparent and spacious – the exterior’s clearly structured and streamlined high-quality design continues in the interior. In line with the brand’s design criteria, the concept car’s interior has a ‘democratic’ character: equal priority is given to all occupants. The space is divided symmetrically.

The second screen in the ŠKODA show car is a novelty for the brand: the straight instrument panel is designed for the front seat passenger as well as for the driver. At its front, the two large, flat 16-inch displays stand out as striking geometrical objects. Vertically positioned air outlets surround the displays.

Totally in line with the brand’s Simply Clever motto, ŠKODA is working intensively on practical, user-friendly operating concepts for future production cars. ŠKODA’s VisionS concept car is providing a first glimpse into what the future conveys in this regard. 

All occupants have their own display, each of which can be operated in the simplest of manners. Information is purposefully processed for driver and passengers, and access to the infotainment is optimised for each participant. In the coming years, ŠKODA will introduce freely programmable multifunction displays in its production cars; at the same time, the brand is also working on the use of voice and gesture commands.

A third display is located in the centre console of the ŠKODA VisionS; the displays for the passengers in the second and third row of seats can be found in the head rests. A Phone Box is integrated into every door, where the passengers’ smartphones can be charged inductively; each individual can access their personal settings and the smartphone’s data and information, using their own display.

Fine, light-grey Nappa leather with dark-blue leather patterns combined with Ultrasuede emphasise the interior’s classy look. Dark blue dominates the upper regions; seat covers and armrests come in light grey. The logo on the steering wheel hub, parts of the centre console and the sculptured trim strips in the doors are made from hand-cut Czech crystal glass. The ambient lighting in the interior provides effective highlights; there’s a choice of ten different colours.

ŠKODA is electrifying: the plug-in-hybrid ŠKODA VisionS

ŠKODA is working at full speed to launch electric production cars: in future, a plug-in-hybrid engine will be available, followed shortly afterwards by a purely electrically powered engine. 

The ŠKODA VisionS provides a glimpse into the Czech manufacturer’s electric future: with a power output of 165 kW (225 PS), the show car accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of almost 200 km/h. 1.9 litres of petrol is all the car needs to travel 100 km (45 g CO₂/km). The ŠKODA VisionS can cover up to 50 km on electric mode alone, and travels up to 1,000 km with both systems combined.

The petrol engine is a 1.4 TSI with 115 kW (156 PS) and 250 Nm of torque. It works alongside an e-motor that provides 40 kW of continuous power and a peak torque of 220 Nm. It is integrated with the engine’s six-speed DSG which transfers the power to the front wheels. 

A second electric motor with up to 85 kW and 270 Nm of torque drives the rear axle. It works independently from the front-wheel drive, meaning the show car has clever four-wheel drive, which requires no mechanical coupling.

An intelligent management system controls integration of engine and both motors – always aiming for maximum efficiency. The driver of the ŠKODA VisionS can choose between five different operating modes, ranging from purely Electric up to Charge mode. E-mode means pure electric drive, where the high-torque e-motor positioned on the rear axle carries out all the work. 

In Hybrid mode, the different drive systems work together in various ways depending on requirements – should, for instance, energy be recuperated, the front e-motor will be the generator. When accelerating fast, in Hybrid Sport mode, the 1.4 TSI engine cooperates with both the front and the rear electric motors. 

It works in a similar way when the hybrid management system deems all-wheel-drive mode to be sensible: then, the petrol engine at the front and the e-motor at the rear are utilised, for example on slippery surfaces or on light off-road terrain. 

In Charge mode, the battery is recharged, using the electric motor at the front. Recharging is possible both whilst driving and when stationary. All relevant information is shown on the driver’s digital display.

A liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, storing 12.4 kWh of energy, is mounted in the crash protection area in front of the rear axle. It contributes to the favourable weight distribution between front and rear axles and to the low centre of gravity of the ŠKODA VisionS. 

Stationary recharging is carried out using a socket. In addition, the brand is also working on contactless, inductive recharging for the use in future production cars. For this, a charger plate will transfer energy from the grid to the car.

The chassis: safe journeys at all time

Travelling in the ŠKODA VisionS is safe and nimble on all types of roads, and the car also easily negotiates off-road terrain. The 21-inch wheels feature 275/40 tyres. The five-spoke wheel design is aerodynamically inspired.

Many components of the MacPherson strut front suspension have been manufactured from aluminium, the elaborately designed four-link rear axle absorbs longitudinal and transverse forces independently from one another. 

The progressive steering has increased steering lock and yet is more responsive. The adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) controls the tasks of the shock absorbers, and allows the driver to select the desired driving mode – Standard, Comfort or Sport – to suit their individual preferences.

Upgraded connectivity: ŠKODA goes online

The comprehensive networking of car, driver and passengers will provide ŠKODA customers with an even safer and more comfortable ride in the future. For this purpose, ŠKODA is working intensively on new, versatile connectivity features, which will provide access to even more information as well as contribute to even better entertainment and yet again greater safety.

The ŠKODA VisionS is also pointing the way with regards to connectivity: in addition to an individual display and headphones, every passenger has a smartphone compartment with SmartLink function as well as inductive charging at their disposal. 

Using the car network, all ŠKODA VisionS passengers can send data – such as route suggestions or playlists – to the driver and communicate with each other at their convenience. The internet connection uses the superfast LTE standard; the passengers’ mobile devices are connected through a WLAN hotspot.

In the future, new connectivity solutions could, for example, extend to areas such as personalised car settings for the driver and passengers. Playlists, auxiliary heating, and navigation destinations, for instance, could be programmed prior to the journey and the electric range could also be checked.

A digital key on a mobile phone or smartwatch could be used to open the car. The route planner could also suggest routes based on the driver’s preferences; information on traffic and weather could also be customised. 

It is even conceivable that future ŠKODA models could notify one another of recognised danger areas such as broken-down vehicles or black ice. Connectivity solutions like these can greatly improve driving comfort and safety once again.