At the heart of the Stellantis experience at the 2022 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas, which had opened its doors from 5 to 8 January, Citroën shared its vision of current and future mobility with an original innovation, the Citroën Skate and of course, its mind-blowing Citroën Ami.
Citroën exhibited its “Skate”, an essential part of its concept of autonomous and shared mobility, Citroën Autonomous Mobility Vision.
The concept combines an autonomous technology platform, Citroën Skate, with pods purposed for a range of services and uses designed by partners (local authorities, service companies). The “Skates” will transport users from one point to another in the city, offering them a singular on-board experience”e.
The aim of this autonomous open-source concept is to free up urban traffic and bring users an original experience that takes care of all their needs.
To optimise urban traffic flows, a fleet of autonomous and interconnected robots, “Citroën Skates”, dissociated from the pods that they transport, will circulate in special lanes seamlessly integrated into the urban landscape. The Skates are mobility vectors which enable the pods, created by various service companies, to position themselves on their platform.
Users enjoy 24-7 access to the service of their choice. For example, they can benefit from a relaxed environment to read a book, watch a video, listen to music while sipping a drink, or practice sports while travelling from A to B.
Of course, focusing on the present, the Citroën Ami was also in the spotlight in its playful and sporty My Ami “Pop” version. Accessible, electric, ultra-compact and agile, Ami responds to new micro-mobility needs, rounding out our range of electric vehicles for individuals and professionals alike.
Range and efficiency are set to define the electric era. Outstanding range will make electric cars suitable for every journey and will also speed up the adoption by the public. Exceptional efficiency will create a virtuous circle of battery size and weight reduction, allowing Mercedes to go further with less. Indeed, the men (and women) at Mercedes-Benz are determined to lead the way.
The brand with the star is already leading the charts of real-world range with the EQS with 245 kW (electrical consumption WLTP combined: 19.8-15.7 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)[1], as evidenced by the recent Edmunds test where an EQS 450+ travelled 422 miles on one charge, 77 miles further than any other car previously tested.
But Mercedes-Benz is not resting. Driven by the idea of zero impact on our planet and a highly responsible use of green energy, the engineers are working intensively to take range and efficiency to a whole new level. The VISION EQXX is the result of a mission to break through technological barriers across the board and to lift energy efficiency to new heights. It demonstrates the gains that are possible through rethinking the fundamentals from the ground up. This includes advances across all elements of its cutting-edge electric drivetrain as well as the use of lightweight engineering and sustainable materials. Complete with a barrage of innovative and intelligent efficiency measures, including advanced software, VISION EQXX allows to explore new frontiers of efficiency.
Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX, exterior
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG commented: “The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX is how we imagine the future of electric cars. Just one-and-a-half years ago, we started this project leading to the most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever built – with an outstanding energy consumption of less than 10 kWh per 100 kilometres. It has a range of more than 1,000 kilometres on a single charge using a battery that would fit even into a compact vehicle. The VISION EQXX is an advanced car in so many dimensions – and it even looks stunning and futuristic. With that, it underlines where our entire company is headed: We will build the world’s most desirable electric cars.”
VISION EQXX – The EV road trip reimagined by Mercedes with a new technology blueprint for series production
There’s a reason why road trips have been a cultural touchstone for at least 70 years, telling stories from the highway in books, movies and music.
Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX, interior
The journey to electric mobility is a road trip; as exhilarating as it is challenging, as unknown as it is certain. The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX is a vehicle designed for that road trip. It answers the progressive demands of a modern generation of customers for and emotionality through innovation. Part of a far-reaching technology programme, this software-defined research prototype was engineered by women and men with the creativity, ingenuity and determination to deliver one of the planet’s most efficient cars – in every respect. They did so using the latest digital technology, the agility of a start-up and the speed of Formula 1.
The result is an efficiency masterpiece that, based on internal digital simulations in real-life traffic conditions, will be capable of exceeding 1,000 kilometres on a single charge with an outstanding energy consumption of less than 10 kWh per 100 kilometres (efficiency of more than 6 miles per kWh).
Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX, interior
By ripping up the automotive engineering rule book, Mercedes-Benz has built a software-driven electric car that re-imagines the road trip for the electric era. At the same time, it presents a highly progressive interpretation of the fundamental Mercedes-Benz principles of modern luxury and Sensual Purity. Rather than simply increasing the size of the battery, the cross-functional, international team focused on maximising long-distance efficiency. They pulled out all the stops in drivetrain efficiency, energy density, aerodynamics and lightweight design.
“The technology programme behind the VISION EQXX will define and enable future Mercedes-Benz models and features,” says Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes‑Benz AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Procurement. “As a halo car, the VISION EQXX firmly establishes Mercedes-Benz as the brand that pairs luxury with technology in the automotive world and beyond. And the way we developed it is as revolutionary as the vehicle itself. VISION EQXX has seen the best minds from our R&D centres work together with engineers from our Formula 1 and Formula E programmes. They are proving that innovations from motorsport – where powertrains are already highly electrified – have immediate relevance for road car development. We are challenging current development processes with innovative spirit and outside-the-box thinking. This truly is the way forward.”
The VISION EQXX is how Mercedes-Benz imagines the future of electric cars.
The VISION EQXX offers meaningful answers to pressing issues. For instance, sustainable materials throughout cut the carbon footprint considerably. Its UI/UX features a radical new one-piece display that comes to life with responsive real-time graphics and spans the entire width of the vehicle. Other elements of the UI/UX help the car and driver work together as one, and even use technology that mimics the workings of the human brain. And the software-led development process that delivered it revolutionises the way electric cars are designed.
This car is one outcome of an ongoing programme that is delivering a blueprint for the future of automotive engineering. Many of its features and developments are already being integrated into production, including the next generation of the MMA – the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture for compact and medium-sized cars.
We will come back soon more in detail about this outstanding EQXX…just show you some photos…
The Seat Cupra Born was in September 2021 still built in Mosel / Zwickau at Volkswagen Sachsen .
The electric age has certainly also arrived at Seat. Not that they produce impressive petrol engined cars. I am presently driving a very able Seat Arona 1.0 TSI Xperience, its three cylinder 110 HP 1 litre engine purrs very nicely indeed, coupled to a 7 speed DSG, and feels very well at home on the motorway as in the city. The somewhat higher stance of the Arona proved also a blessing and we would judge it “just right”. But as said, the electronic age is certainly dawning at Seat.
The SEAT S.A. team is producing working for instance at the Martorell plant the SEAT Leon e-HYBRID, the first hybrid model manufactured in Martorell. But there is more.
Beatriz Matute, head of Project Management for the launch of the CUPRA Born, has spent this year going between Barcelona and Zwickau (Germany). She’s led a team of more than 50 employees from different areas in charge of overseeing the start of series production for the CUPRA Born, CUPRA’s first 100% electric car, in Europe’s largest electric vehicle factory. “It’s been a valuable learning experience that we will certainly build on for the electrification of Martorell” she says.
The international Press Presentation of the Cupra Born was stunning indeed…
The CUPRA Born signals the start of CUPRA’s electric offensive and is a key element in the brand’s international expansion. For this reason, “we knew that the International Press Presentation of the CUPRA Born needed to be different” says SEAT S.A. Global Communications Director Cécilia Taieb. “We made it happen thanks to the help and participation of many of our employees” she continues. The first 100% electric car brought together 440 journalists from 27 countries in Barcelona. In total, 62,000 kilometres of testing were carried out over four weeks by the invited media.
The brand’s marketeers and top experts around the world have been just as dedicated in preparing to sell the CUPRA Born. More than 1,000 CUPRA Masters from 43 markets took part in the CUPRA Master Convention 2021 to deepen their knowledge and transmit their expertise to customers.
The IAA International Motor Show in Munich last September was the backdrop for the world premiere of the CUPRA UrbanRebel concept, the CUPRA team’s unconventional challenger. “The concept laid the foundations for our future 100% electric city car, which will arrive in 2025” says CUPRA Director of Strategy, Business Development and Operations Antonino Labate.
Leading the electric competition. CUPRA made motorsport history this year by winning the first ever electric touring car championship. Along with Mattias Ekström, they have been named “Kings of the season” for the PURE ETCR. With the CUPRA e-Racer, a technical feat of 500 kW (680 hp) of power, the brand successfully completed the challenge it set itself in 2017: to create the first electric racing touring car in history, and win. “The future of racing is electric, and we have already taken the lead” maintains Xavier Serra, head of CUPRA Racing.
A step forward with 1.3 Megawatts of power…
The Test Center Energy (TCE) is another of the company’s major commitments to electrification. “We’ve made a great effort to create this pioneering battery research and development centre in Southern Europe, which will enable us to develop the energy systems for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles” says Francesc Sabaté, head of the TCE. To give an example of its testing capacity, 1.3 megawatts is equivalent to the energy consumption of 350 homes operating at maximum power.
A new Fiat Scudo is available for ordering. This new Scudo, after the E-Ducato, is the second Fiat Professional commercial vehicle also available in an electric version.
This is another important step in Fiat’s Electric journey. Of course, here we also await a Hydrogen version soon. The Scudo runs on the same platform as the Citroën Jumpy, and is built in the same French factory. So it is certainly in the cards that it will also be converted to Hydrogen in Rüsselsheim…
The Scudo for now has a 50- or 75-kWh battery, and offers a range of up to 330 km (WLTP)
Flexibility is important in the cabin, and thanks to the “Moduwork”, it can commute the double passenger seat bench in a workstation and in a loading bay extension.
The “car-like” driving comfort, the “urban-fitting dimension” (max height 1,9mt), the ergonomic cockpit and complete set of ADAS and safety features delivers to the customer a stress-free, zero-emissions together with outstanding comfort, according to Fiat.
The Scudo is available with full-electric and diesel powertrain with manual or automatic transmission and can now be ordered in four versions and up to three lengths: Van, Crew Cab, Cab with platform, and Combi M1.
By the way, did you know that Stellantis will produce the Fiat Scudo also in Russia and export them to other markets?
Stellantis owns a 70% stake in a car plant in the Russian city of Kaluga, where it plans to produce the vehicle by 2022. Mitsubishi owns the remaining 30% stake…
The development of fuel cell technology is now taking on a new dimension at CITROËN with the production of the first ë-Jumpy Hydrogen. Indeed, the CITROËN ë-Jumpy Hydrogen, assembled in France in the SevelNord-factory, is being adapted to hydrogen in the hydrogen-fuel cell expertise center of the STELLANTIS-group in Russelsheim, Germany…
This ë-Jumpy Hydrogen has therefore the same technical specifications as its Opel sister car, the Vivaro e-HYDROGEN. Like the Opel, it retains a 10.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, which provides dynamic peak power when required, for example, at start-up and under acceleration. Since the battery covers power needs in such situations, the fuel cell can run at optimum operating conditions.
Post-production : Astuce Productions
Citroën also wants their car to be put to the test in daily practice as soon as possible. This first ë-Jumpy Hydrogen will be delivered in the coming days to the SUEZ Group, which is preparing to test this model on a large scale at its Carcassonne site, a pilot site where SUEZ is investing in the production of green hydrogen, an important challenge for the coming years.
Toyota now takes the BEV market very seriously: Akio Toyoda, President of the Toyota Motor Corporation, seen on the photo above, today presented news concerning the company’s carbon neutrality strategy, by outlining its plans to offer 30 battery electric models by 2030 (Toyota & Lexus combined).
The company expects total global battery electric vehicle sales to reach 3.5M by 2030, and this announcement underpins the plan of for a 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles sales by 2035 in Western Europe.
Toyota’s bZ (beyond Zero) battery electric family in Europe is also soon to expand with introduction of a compact SUV as follow up to bZ4X launch. Not less than three battery electric ‘Toyota bZ’ vehicles are planned for Europe by 2025.
Toyota will further increase its investment in batteries from the 1.5 trillion yen – which was announced in September – to 2 trillion yen (15 billion euros).
The Lexus electrified sport will have formidable performance and range…
Now let’s turn the spotlight on Lexus:
Lexus aims for 100% battery electric mix in Europe, North America and China by 2030
The full name of the new Lexus BEV (that will be launched towards the end of 2022) was revealed: the Lexus RZ450e. See the photo here below…
The Lexus Electrified Sport (Sports BEV) concept was also shown: it offers impressive Lexus driving performance, with an acceleration time that will be in the low 2 second range and a cruising range over 700km.
There were also two other future concepts were shown: the Lexus Electrified Sedan (BEV Sedan), and Lexus Electrified SUV (SUV BEV). We show you the photos here.
The Lexus electrified sedan…
More interesting Toyota/Lexus news to come. Faithful readers know that we are the a satisfied owner of a midnight blue Lexus CT 200h, which proves to be not only frugal with an average consumption this year of 4,7 liter/100 km, but also utterly reliable and recently passed the yearly technical inspection with flying colours. A report will follow soon. Stay tuned!
Here is some further Opel news, and it is an important feat for Stellantis: the first hydrogen transporter from a vehicle manufacturer which is ready to go. Indeed, the first Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN off the production line will begin its emissions-free work in the fleet of the German manufacturer of premium domestic appliances, Miele.
Clever concept: Long driving range, zero emissions, quick refuelling
The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN is based on the existing battery electric Opel Vivaro-e, the “2021 International Van of the Year”. With full tanks of hydrogen, the driving range is more than 400 kilometres (WLTP1). The 45 kW fuel cell is capable of generating enough power for continuous highway driving. It takes only three minutes to refuel with hydrogen – about the same time needed to fill up a conventional diesel or petrol vehicle.
The 10.5 kWh lithium-ion battery provides dynamic peak power when required, for example, at start-up and under acceleration. Since the battery covers power needs in such situations, the fuel cell can run at optimum operating conditions. The battery also enables regenerative braking, while the plug-in capability offers the opportunity to recharge the battery externally if necessary, e.g. at a charging station, providing 50 km of pure battery electric range. The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN features a three-phase on-board charger (11 kW) and a mode 2 charging cable as standard.
The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN demands no compromises on space compared to the combustion engine versions, offering up to 5.3 or 6.1 cubic metres of cargo volume. The fuel cell electric LCV is available in lengths M and L (4.95 and 5.30 metres) with up to 1,000 kilogrammes of payload.
Production takes place at Opel Special Vehicles (OSV) in Rüsselsheim, and, as said, makes Stellantis the first to offer a Hydrogen powered LCV to fleet users…
We are driving now the magnificent CLS 220 d. This sleek limousine embodies all the good qualities of the cars with the star. By the way, its diesel engine is also superb. But Mercedes gears up for the future. And takes now a major step towards automated driving…
Indeed, Mercedes-Benz is the first automotive company in the world to meet the demanding legal requirements of UN-R157 for a Level 3 system. SAE Level 3 means that the automated driving function takes over certain driving tasks. However, a driver is still required. The driver must be ready to take control of the vehicle at all times when prompted to intervene by the vehicle. But nevertheless, the driving elements which it takes over become more important…
13,191 kilometers of highly automated driving on Germany’s iconic Autobahnen…
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has granted system approval for this on the basis of the technical approval regulation UN-R157, thus paving the way for offering such a system internationally, provided that national legislation allows it. The ECE contracting states (57) incl. states of the EU, GB, Japan, Korea, Australia…
Germany has taken a pioneering role in this with the opening of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) for Level 3 systems already in 2017. This is why the first customers will be able to buy an S-Class with DRIVE PILOT in the first half of 2022, enabling them to drive in conditionally automated mode at speeds of up to 60 km/h in heavy traffic or congested situations on suitable stretches of motorway in Germany! The special DRIVE PILOT equipment takes the strain off the driver and allows him or her to perform ancillary tasks on the central display such as online shopping or processing e-mails in the in-car office. Which secondary activities of the driver are legally permissible depends on the respective national road traffic regulations. Important to note that the system approval also applies to the EQS.
A milestone reached, says the management…
“For many years, we have been working to realize our vision of automated driving. With this LiDAR based system, we have developed an innovative technology for our vehicles that offers customers a unique, luxurious driving experience and gives them what matters most: time. With the approval of the authorities, we have now achieved a breakthrough: We are the first manufacturer to put conditionally automated driving into series production in Germany,” says Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Purchasing. “With this milestone, we are once again proving our pioneering work in automated driving and also initiating a radical paradigm shift. For the first time in 136 years of automotive history, the vehicle takes over the dynamic driving task under certain conditions. At the same time, we are pleased that Germany is continuing its pioneering role in automated driving with this approval.”
The technical approval regulation with which such a system can be certified did not come into force until the beginning of 2021. Since then, it can be implemented in Europe – an opportunity that Mercedes-Benz was quick and the first manufacturer to seize. With the opening of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) for Level 3 systems in 2017, Germany was the first country to create a legal basis for the intended use of these systems.
Mercedes-Benz is initially offering DRIVE Mercedes-Benz is initially offering DRIVE PILOT on 13,191 kilometres of motorway in Germany. Extensive test drives for this systems are already underway, for example in the USA and China. As soon as there is a national legal framework for conditionally automated operation in additional markets, the technology will be rolled out step by step! Again, we repeat ourselves, brave new world!
Times are changing in our electronic age, and fast. Manufacturers will have to build cars with an open software-defined platform, and three new platforms will arrive as early as 2024… says Stellantis.
Indeed, Stellantis N.V. today mapped out its software strategy to deploy next-generation tech platforms, building on existing connected vehicle capabilities to transform how customers interact with their vehicles, and to generate approximately €20 billion in incremental annual revenues by 2030.
This transformation will move Stellantis’ vehicles from today’s dedicated electronic architectures to an open software-defined platform that seamlessly integrates with customers’ digital lives. It greatly expands the options customers have to add innovative features and services via regular over-the-air (OTA) updates keeping vehicles fresh, exciting and updated years after they have been built.
“Our electrification and software strategies will support the shift to become a sustainable mobility tech company to lead the pack, leveraging the associated business growth with over-the-air features and services, and delivering the best experience to our customers,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “With the three all-new AI-powered technology platforms to arrive in 2024, deployed across the four STLA vehicle platforms, we will leverage the speed and agility associated with the de-coupling of hardware and software cycles.”
Stellantis plans to invest more than €30 billion through 2025 to execute its software and electrification transformation.
The Stellantis software strategy works hand-in-hand with the Company’s vehicle electrification plans, detailed at EV Day in July 2021, which targets that more than 70 percent of its vehicle sales in Europe and more than 40 percent of vehicle sales in the United States will be low emission vehicles (LEV) by 2030. Each of the Company’s 14 iconic brands is committed to offering best-in-class fully electrified solutions.
More about this, and the strategic partnership with suppliers and software companies it implies, will follow soon!
Shortly before the end of the year, the BMW Group celebrated the delivery of its one-millionth electrified vehicle: Pieter Nota, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands and Sales handed over the milestone vehicle, a BMW iX xDrive40 (Power consumption in kWh/100 km: 22.5-19.3 WLTP), to its owner at BMW Welt on 6 December.
The company included a special bonus with the delivery: The customer not only received the keys for his new vehicle, but also a BMW Wallbox, including installation, to enable safe and convenient home charging, as well as a credit for public Europe-wide charging with BMW Charging.
“The delivery of our one-millionth electrified vehicle marks a milestone in our transformation – and we already have the next one in our sights: We aim to break through the two-million mark in just two years,” said Nota. “Thanks to our steadily growing product range, we are setting ourselves ambitious sales targets, in particular for fully-electric vehicles: In 2022, we aim to double this year’s sales. By 2025 the BMW Group will have delivered around two million fully-electric vehicles to customers. We expect at least one out of every two BMW Group vehicles sold to be fully electric by 2030,” Nota continued.
The BMW Group released two key innovation flagships, the BMW iX and the BMW i4, onto the market in mid-November. Both models are being very well received by customers worldwide – as reflected in new orders from around the globe
Over the next year, the BMW Group will expand its electrified product line-up to include fully-electric versions of the BMW 7 Series and BMW X1. The high-volume BMW 5 Series will be added to the electric portfolio in 2023. The successor to the MINI Countryman and the all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre will follow. By 2023, the company will already have at least one fully-electric model on the roads in about 90 percent of its current market segments. Over the next ten years or so, the BMW Group plans to release a total of about ten million fully-electric vehicles onto the roads.
The Neue Klasse, which is uncompromisingly geared towards electric drive trains, will make a significant contribution to BMW Group sales volumes from the middle of the decade.
The MINI product range will already be exclusively all-electric by the early 2030s and Rolls-Royce will be an all-electric brand from 2030 on. All future new models from BMW Motorrad in the field of urban mobility will also be fully electric…brave new world!
