Unlike the biennial Indian Auto Expo, the annual Geneva Motor Show every year acquaints us with the automotive advances in the coming period. From many years, it had been the stage for the reveal of several vehicles from supercars to entry-level one, including the future of automotive space, EVs. Let us see a list of the top 5 EVs that have rocked the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e
We kick off the list with a Bentley. Let's break down the name first - the EXP bit means that this car is an experimental concept. 12 is the number of experimental concepts Bentley has made till date, this car being the 12th. Speed 6 means this car, should it head for production, would sit below the Continental GT and e stands for electric. Details on the car's running gear are sparse. However, the EXP 12 Speed 6e boasts of inductive charging or wireless charging (this car's party trick). There will still be a charging cable supplied for times when inductive charging cannot be put to use. Inside, single glass piece makes for the centre console and houses an OLED infotainment screen. The steering wheel's top is chopped off and it has glass controls for infotainment and telephony. The whole interior has been done in red and beige leather. Talk about opulent future...
Renault Zoe e-Sport
Those who have heard of this car may think the e-Sport moniker attached to the rest of the name means addition of go-fast goodies to a regular Renault Zoe. You would be so wrong! The Renault Zoe e-Sport is an electric sports car. To that end, it has two electric motors that generate 462PS power and 640Nm torque. All this can help this car dash from 0-100kmph in 3.2 seconds. It can go from 0-200kmph in less than 10 seconds. It has a 450kg battery pack onboard. To save weight, it sits on a steel, carbon fibre and kevlar frame and hence, weighs 1400kg. It has all-wheel drive to put all its power down. Double wishbone suspension all around with adjustable Ohlins dampers and 20-inch wheels complete the package. Oh, and it looks quite good too.Toyota i-TRIL
When we talk about EVs, we just can't do so without mentioning a Japanese carmaker in the conversation. This time around, it is Toyota and its i-TRIL concept. Making its world debut at 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the i-TRIL is designed to be small, maneuverable, easy to park and be able to stop-and-go a lot. To that end, it has close-set rear wheels, capacity to seat three and active lean technology to bank around corners. It weighs 750kg (approx) and it is 2.7m long. The seating area is hinged between the front and rear wheels and it can, alongwith the front wheels, lean up to 10 degrees. Inside, there are no instruments but only a heads-up display. The car has a range of close to 200km and it can even drive itself, though you should drive it preferably.
Vanda Dendrobium
Its name is not something you will warm up to easily. However, the Vanda Dendrobium is odd only in name and the country it comes from - Singapore. Vanda Electrics is a company that specialises in battery technology and electric mobility. The Dendrobium is its halo project and to that end, it has been developed with Williams Advanced Engineering. The Dendrbium bit comes from a flower by the same name. Not much has been revealed in terms of powertrain but the car will weigh up to 1750kg. It will go from 0-100kmph in 2.7 seconds and it will have a top speed in excess of 320kmph. It will come with all-wheel drive and will have suicide doors that open upward. The doors and the roof of the Dedrobium can be operated simultaneously. Also, cameras will replace the wing mirrors on this car. As to when this car hits the road, expect it be on the road by 2020.
Volkswagen Sedric
Volkswagen imagined a new car shape based on existing electric and driverless technologies. The result? The Sedric is an acronym for SElfDRiving Car and is a fully autonomous concept. There is no bonnet or boot on the Sedric and the battery pack has been placed between the wheels. An electric motor has been placed at the level of wheels. As it does not need a steering wheel, the Sedric has sofa-style seats, a big semi-transparent screen and a garden of air-purifying plants. This car is meant for ride sharing and can be summoned at will. It also has voice-based digital assistant to ascertain the rider's destination.
Source: Zigwheels.com
