BEVS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are preparing dedicated battery electric vehicles for mass production by the end of the decade
Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have become the latest brands to announce a sustainable approach with battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
The two leading German car players used the 2016 Paris Motor Show late last week to display concept vehicles with pure electric power that are slated to reach production by the end of this decade.
Apart from having dedicated BEVs with no CO2 tailpipe emissions, both Mercedes and VW have stressed the need to make their next-generation cars sustainable in production terms as with those fitted with conventional internal combustion engines (ICEs). As well, these BEVs will feature autonomous driving, connectivity and car-sharing technologies.
Similarly to BMW’s “i” car project, Mercedes has established the so-called Generation EQ which is slated to kick off with a sporty SUV. Designed as a potential rival for the Tesla Model X, the Merc SUV has a 2+2 seating configuration.
Audi, another key luxury car brand from Germany, has already made it known to the public its intention to build a sporty electric SUV called Q6 e-tron. Jaguar is also rumoured to be joining the fray with the E-Pace, an all-electric version of the recently launched F-Pace crossover.
Mercedes’ Generation EQ has two battery packs producing 400hp and 700Nm, good for a potential driving range of 500km. Because of its electric propulsion, there is no front grille in the Generation EQ for air-cooling. The overall slippery shape of the car also helps improve aerodynamics and efficiency.
Mercedes says the Generation EQ will have a scalable body and battery architecture to accommodate varying needs of customers. Other body variations like saloons, coupes and cabriolets can also be catered.
Like BMW’s i3 and i8, the Generation EQ will make extensive use of lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre in its body construction to help offset the weight penalty caused by batteries.
Smart, the small car arm of Mercedes, has used the French car show to display three production-ready vehicles with pure electric power, including the ForFour hatchback and the fixed- and open-top versions of the ForTwo two-seaters.
Volkswagen, on the other hand, has shown the ID concept car that has been confirmed for production by 2020 as a dedicated BEV competing with the likes of the Nissan Leaf. Hyundai is also planning a BEV version of the Ioniq, Korea’s long-term answer to the Toyota Prius.
Like in many modern BEVs, the ID sees its lithium batteries neatly laid beneath the cabin floor. The vehicle is based on the VW Group’s MED (modular electric drive) platform and employs a 170hp electric motor that can drive for 400-600km, depending on driving circumstances. Like Merc’s Generation EQ, the ID features sleek body surface and wheels, and no front grille.
By 2025, VW says the ID will feature a retractable steering column when the driver wishes to sit back and let the car do the driving itself. The car will also be able to communicate with humans, cars and various places.
By that year, VW has set a goal of making 1 million BEVs per year. It hopes to make the production-ready ID as popular as the Golf, a compact hatchback VW has managed to build a successful reputation globally.
The need to build more BEVs is regarded as essential in Europe because some legislators, particularly in Germany, are reportedly talking about banning ICE-powered cars in showrooms from 2030.
Renault, another major European car maker who shares its BEV expertise with Nissan, has gone a little wild at the Paris auto show with the Trezor concept car. Standing for “treasure” in French, the Trezor is an all-electric sports car that is remarkably long and low in appearance when compared to others.
Although it isn’t meant for production, the Trezor reaffirms that sports cars have the potential to go CO2-less on the road. Audi and Mercedes-Benz have already experimented with such cars based on the old R8 and SLS supercars, while BMW is alleged to have transformed today’s i8 from a plug-in hybrid-powered vehicle to a pure BEV in the future.
The UX Concept is just one of the many show cars revealing the need to satisfy clients with a high-riding, good-looking crossover