DUAL CHARGE
It will allow charging rates of up to 350 kw, meaning 80% charge is possible in 20 minutes
Such is the rate of development of the all-electric automobile that even before the arrival of the Audi E-tron and Porsche Taycan in South Africa, these two high-end brands (both members of the Volkswagen Group) have already announced the architecture they will share for their nextgeneration EVS.
The Premium Platform Electric (PPE) has been designed and developed to meet the needs and requirements of each brand in terms of packaging, luxury and, importantly, performance. This 800 V architecture – including optimal cooling systems – will allow charging rates of up to 350 kw, meaning an 80% charge could be possible in as little as 20 minutes.
PPE is designed for vehicles the size of the current Audi A4 and upwards, with a strong emphasis on interior space and comfort. In the case of Porsche, it’s likely the next-generation Macan (due in 2022) will benefit from this PPE architecture. Ppe-based vehicles will feature, as standard, a single electric motor at the rear axle, while an optional second motor mounted upfront will add all-wheel-drive functionality. Torque vectoring, air suspension and all-wheel steering will also be available.
Porsche says going solo on such an undertaking would have cost the company around
30% more. Audi called the joint effort unprecedented in the automotive industry.
Not content with its impressive rate of growth in the world of supercars, Mclaren Automotive’s range of sunglasses incorporates many of the technologies and all of the attention to detail prevalent in its cars, racing and other divisions. The Mclaren Vision eyewear collection includes the same innovative 3D-printed titanium technique featured in the brand’s Speedtail supercar package. Ultralightweight and millimetric in its application, the frames also feature flexible hinges, an industry first. Manufactured in France by the L’amy Group, each unisex eyewear piece includes premium-quality Leica lenses attached to the frame via just two contact points, cutting peripheral intrusion to maximise visibility in the same way a Mclaren road car utilises the slimmest pillars. Each lens is treated with Aquadura Vision anti-reflective, hydrophobic and oleophobic coating and features Leica Eyecare’s latest technology to ensure ultimate clarity.
Having recently developed and introduced a factory-fit navigation system able to be incorporated into the cabin of its oldergeneration products, Porsche Classic has now extended its Classic Communication Management (PCCM) to include modern convenience features such as Apple Carplay. The 3,5-inch, 1-DIN touchscreen display can be retrofitted to the dashboard of any 911 model from as early as the 1960s up to the final (993) air-cooled versions of the ‘90s. Furthermore, this modern technology can be installed in earlier front- and mid-engine models, including the 944, 982 and 968. Featuring two rotary knobs and six buttons, the unit includes Carplay with Bluetooth telephony and even a USB port. According to the brand, PCCM blends harmoniously into the dashboard of classic Porsches thanks to the black surface finish and the shape of the knobs. A 7,0-inch 2-DIN unit caters for 996-generation 911s, as well as the first (986) Boxster. Android Auto is included on the units engineered for these newer-generation cars.