EV Brief 4/28/21 EV Brief 4/28/21

Auto Shanghai 2021: The coolest new models, concepts and more! All the EV news from the show [updated]

After years of declining patronage at international auto shows, it’s nice to see Auto Shanghai 2021 bustling with concept cars, consumers and of course electric vehicles. We’re putting together a full run down of all new and concept electric vehicles that Auto Shanghai 2021 has to offer; check back here as this page is updated!

After years of declining patronage at international auto shows, it’s nice to see Auto Shanghai 2021 bustling with concept cars, consumers and of course electric vehicles. We’re putting together a full run down of all new and concept electric vehicles that Auto Shanghai 2021 has to offer; check back here as this page is updated!

Audi A6 e-tron concept

Chinese buyers love large, luxurious sedans, so what better venue for Audi to unveil its A6 e-tron concept? With similar dimensions to the current A6/A7 models, the e-tron concept is based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) modular architecture that also underpins Porsche’s Taycan and the e-tron GT. Set for a 2023 release, the A6 e-tron concept signals a new design direction for Ingolstadt, with complex, angular surfaces out, and an aerodynamic shape with seamless concave and convex surfaces in. It features a drag coefficient of 0.22cd, and Audi claims up to 100 kWh of battery cells, up to 700 km (434 miles) range and 270 kW peak charging speed thanks to its 800V system architecture.

Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron

The new Audi Q4 range is incredibly important for the brand from Ingolstadt in the Chinese context; sales in China were up 5.4 percent in 2020 to 727,358 units (up from 690,083 in 2019), and globally, SUVs account for 66 percent of the brand’s sales. With two body styles, two battery sizes — 52 kWh and 77 kWh — and DC fast charging up to 125 kW, the Q4 is Volkswagen Group’s premium offering on the MEB platform, sitting alongside the cheaper VW ID.4. The Q4 range will be the first Audi model to roll out of SAIC-VW’s joint venture (JV) manufacturing facility in Shanghai, and pricing is expected to start around RMB 420,000 ($64,640 USD).

Baojun KiWi EV

Based on the Baojun E300 from the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture, this microcar is the product of a further corporate tie-up with DJI. The drone company appears to be keen to utilise its expertise to develop hardware, sensors and autonomous software for electric vehicles, following years of development. It’s just a concept for now, but we fully expect SAIC-GM-Wuling to leverage DJI’s technology for future BEVs.

BMW i4 M-Sport

Though we still don’t have the full specifications for BMW’s upcoming i4 sport sedan, the company is teasing us with this M-Sport variant that wears tougher looking front and rear bumpers complete with carbon fibre trim. We’re not sold on this look — especially next to some of the fantastic design coming out of Ingolstadt Germany and Namyang South Korea — but we are sold on the 0-62 mph (0-100km/h) time of 4 seconds, 80 kWh battery with 300 miles (482 kilometres) range and the fact this is a sport sedan rather than a hulking SUV. The i4 range is expected to go on sale worldwide in the second half of 2021.

See more of our BMW i4 coverage and full image gallery here

BMW iX

Speaking of hulking SUVs, here’s BMW’s iX. We understand the importance of this car given the success of BMW’s X5 and X7 models, so it’s great to see BMW emphasising the importance of zero emissions drivetrains. The iX will come in xDrive50 and xDrive40 variants, with 370 kW (503 PS) and 240 kW (326 PS) respectively. The iX range will offer up to 249 miles (400 kilometres) of range, and debut BMW’s new technology toolkit, with enhanced connectivity, digital services, and a new generation i-Drive system. Chinese consumers will find Tencent applications built into the BMW iX, as well as a native WeChat functionality. Read more of our iX coverage here.

BYD EA1

BYD’s newest small car debuted at Auto Shanghai, and signals the future direction of the brand’s compact-class city models. Designed by BYD’s Global Design Director Wolfgang Egger, It features some pleasing design details that mimic VW’s ID.3, while retaining a unique Chinese personality. Based upon the company’s e-Platform 3.0, the EA1 won’t be short of cutting-edge technology, with BYD’s signature blade battery and 800 volt architecture available across the model range. BYD plans a ‘hot’ variant, and in exciting news for Australia, BYD and Australian importer Nexport plan to bring the EA1 down under in late 2021.

Cadillac Lyriq (General Motors)

GM has gone all in on battery electric vehicles, and the luxury brand Cadillac has debuted its full-size electric SUV based on the new Ultium platform. This modular design allows for efficient packaging of electronics, batteries and thermal management, and includes new technologies like a wireless battery management system. There are familiar Cadillac styling cues, with the vertical, slim-line headlights and angular design. The Lyric features a full-length glass roof, 23 inch wheels, and a 33 inch (yes, 33) in car LED display. Cadillac will also debut an in-car active noise cancelling system, aiming to reduce wind noise and tyre hum for passengers. Cadillac has stated that Chinese buyers will be able to order the Lyric in late 2021, for deliveries commencing early next year.

Ford Evos

Ford has debuted the EVOS at Auto Shanghai, the first model from the blue oval under a new China 2.0 plan and “Progressive Energy in Strength” design philosophy. According to Ford, the company is focused on “electrification and intelligence, customer-centered products and services and upgraded customer experience”. The EVOS features a 1.1m-wide horizontal screen, a virtual personal assistant (similar to NIO’s Nomi) and is based on the all-new Fully Networked Vehicle E/E architecture, which supports dynamic over-the-air software updates. The Ford EVOS will be built by Changan Ford, sold and serviced through the Ford NDSD distribution network across China.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford is bringing the Mustang Mach-E to China, and the first domestically built variant — the Mustang Mach-E GT First Edition — is now available to pre-order. Prices will range from RMB 265,000-379,900 ($40,820-$58,520 USD). Ford says owners will have access to over 160,000 fast chargers in more than 340 cities across the country through an exclusive app, as well as access to NIO’s nationwide fast charging network. The Mustang Mach-E GT first edition will be powered by two electric motors making 358 kW (486 PS) and 860 Nm (634 pound-feet) torque. A less expensive entry model will eventually be introduced, but all Mustang Mach-E’s in China will receive the GT front fascia.

Genesis Electrified G80

Genesis’s design language has evolved into something quite striking; it’s not pretty but it is elegant, and has loads of presence. Sort of like a futuristic tech-heavy Bentley to our mind. Utilising Hyundai Motor Corporation’s BEV experience and expertise, the Electrified G80 comes with dual motor all-wheel-drive as standard, and 350 kW rapid charging with 427 kilometres WLTP range. Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, 400 - 800 volt electricals are standard, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) is available for customers. Genesis quotes a 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds for the luxe sedan. Expect more details and a North American launch later in 2021.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

We love the look of this car. It’s 8-bit retro-futurism personified, with the Giorgetto Giugiaro inspired headlights and roofline, to the ‘parametric pixel’ design language. Available with 52 kWh and 72 kWh batteries in rear and all wheel drive, Chinese buyers looking for something different should appreciate the road presence of the Ioniq 5 (it’s bigger than a Tesla Model 3) as well as the interior comfort. Thanks to the company’s new E-GMP platform, the Ioniq 5 is able to push the wheels to the corners of the car, and stretch the wheelbase to 3 metres. We were hands on with the Ioniq 5 last week, and can tell you that that wheelbase provides for an incredibly spacious and relaxing interior.

Mercedes Benz EQB

The Mercedes Benz battery electric vehicle onslaught is here, with the EQB following the recent EQS and EQA launches. Mercedes would like to you think this EQB is based on its all-new Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA), it’s actually based on the combustion engined GLB, and it shows. Thankfully, it’s dorky looks should mean plenty of interior space, with seven seats available. Battery capacity is up to 66.5 kWh with 100 kW rapid charging, and there are front and all wheel drive options available in Europe and China. Expect the US and Australia to get all wheel drive only variants.

NIO ET7

We really hope NIO brings the ET7 to markets outside China. This rather good looking sports sedan will offer battery sizes of 70, 100 and 150 kWh, dual motor all wheel drive, and a system output of 480 kW (652 PS) and 850 Nm (626 lb ft). NIO has commenced body-in-white production this month, and hopes to have customer ready ET7s landing in Q1 2022. As the first sedan in NIO’s line up, the ET7 is an important car, and is expected to compete with Tesla’s refreshed Model S, as well as offerings from BYD, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. the ET7s party piece is its Aquila Super Sensing system with over 33 high-performance sensing units including one ultralong-range high-resolution LiDAR.

ORA Lightning Cat (Great Wall Motors)

ORA is Great Wall Motors’ all-electric brand, and the Lightning Cat is a kooky-but-fun visual mashup of a VW beetle, Porsche 911 and Panamera and Tesla Model 3. With dual motors and all wheel drive, the Lightning Cat can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds according to Great Wall Motors. Oval headlights, two-tone paint and a glasshouse that resemble the Porsche Panamera’s somehow work, and the interior at least looks quite upscale, with a sporty three spoke steering wheel, retro instruments, a suspended centre control area with additional touchscreen, and orange sports seats.

Seres SF5

Seres’s entry into the BEV market comes in the form of a jointly-developed SUV with tech giant Huawei. The SF5 dual motor variant features 405kW and 820Nm, as well as a 1.5 litre four cylinder engine which acts as a range extender. According to Chinese market information, the SF5 has an electric-only range of 150 kilometres, but the small battery helps keep the cost of the vehicle down; RMB 216,800 in China ($33,370 USD). As you would expect, seamless integration with Huawei’s smart phones is available through the in car entertainment system, and the SF5 features adaptive cruise control and active steering assistance technology as part of its Level 2 autonomous driving system.

Toyota BZ4X

Toyota has finally been dragged into the BEV sphere, announcing the BZ4X SUV as part of a full-scale electrified model roll-out by 2025. The BZ4X is based on the e-TNGA platform co-developed with Subaru, and features Subaru’s all-wheel drive system. Not a huge amount is known about the drivetrain under this model as it is still officially a concept, but the BZ4X is expected to be built in Japan for western markets, and at the Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co factory for the Chinese domestic market. Expect a launch date sometime in 2022.

Volkswagen’s China-only ID.6 X and ID.6 Crozz. Image: Volkswagen

Volkswagen ID.6 X, ID.6 Crozz

The ID.6 range is the first all-electric model designed for a specific market, with popular Chinese apps and the ability to check local air quality levels in the infotainment system. Based on the EV-only MEB platform architecture, this 4,876mm long (192 inches) SUV is longer and wider than the US-only Atlas model. 58 and 77 kWh versions will be available, with 430 km (270 miles) and 580 km (365 miles) NEDC range. Rear and all-wheel-drive versions will be available, but pricing isn’t expected to be finalised until later this year. VW’s rivals in this segment include the NIO ES8, Li Xiang One, and Geely’s Xingyue L.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV Convertible (SAIC-GM-Wuling)

Errr… What is this? I hear you ask. Bear with us; this is the coolest little convertible going into production at Auto Shanghai. Based on the Hong Guang Mini EV, The Convertible is a chic city car with 120 km (75 miles) of range from a 9.3 kWh battery, or 170 km (106 miles) of range from a 13.9 kWh battery. Top speed is low — as you would expect — peaking at 100 km/h (62 mph). However it seats four, and is guaranteed to be easy to park at 2,917 mm long. The Convertible should be a good seller for Wuling; the hardtop version sold over 40,000 units in March, to be China’s best selling EV. Keep an eye out for it later in the year.

Xpeng P5

We’ve previously covered the Xpeng P5 launch extensively, and as the Chinese NEV luxury sedan market heats up, the P5 will prove to be an important car for the new automaker. Xpeng will likely beat NIO to market with the first production vehicle to feature a LiDAR-based autonomous driving system, and according to the company, the system works in challenging scenarios such as night and low-light conditions, backlighting, and alternating light and dark illumination in tunnels. The P5 should have a range of around 600km (373 miles) on the Chinese NEDC cycle, and full technical details are expected in the coming months, ahead of a late-2021 launch.

Zeekr 001

In a sea of electric SUVs, it’s hard not to get giddy at the sight of something a bit different. Geely’s new Zeekr brand debuts the production version of the Lynk & Co Zero Concept we saw last year. It’s a big, bold shooting-brake-meets-Panamera wagon based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), and we love it. With 400 kW (543 PS) and 700 Nm (516 lb ft), the Zeekr 001 should hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds. It’s set for release later in 2021, and let’s hope it makes it outside China.

EV Brief 1/10/21 EV Brief 1/10/21

NIO Reveals Striking ET7 Sedan with 1,000km Range

NIO has pulled the covers off the new ET7 Sedan at its annual NIO Day. NIO claims exceptional range, performance and luxury from this striking sedan, as well as the introduction of Lidar technology — a first in all-electric consumer vehicles — to aid autonomous operation.

Exterior Design

Clearly carrying cues from the ET Preview displayed in 2019, the ET7 is objectively a handsome car. The short, squat front end is muscular and sporty, and its small, narrow headlights and grille-less front end are reminiscent of Hyundai’s 2021 Kona. The deliberate, triangular slots for the additional front lights remind us of the Kia Stinger (no bad thing).

With a large glasshouse profile, NIO designers have kept the side of the vehicle simple yet cohesive. One accentuating crease near the top of the door plays beautifully with light, while a rising ‘power line’ on the lower part of the doors is reminiscent of Audi’s A5 and A7 Sportback models.

The tapering rear roofline and chunky three quarter panel remind us of the Polestar 2, without the squared-off edges. It’s elegant — if a little unexciting — but does well to give the rear presence while masking the bulk of the vehicle.

The rear itself shares design elements the Audi A7 and Tesla Model 3, with what looks to be an integrated retractable spoiler as well as a fixed ducktail lip in the boot (trunk) lid, and plenty of horizontal lines to accentuate dynamism and presence. Plus the (now ubiquitous) LED light bar running the width of the vehicle as seen on vehicles from Polestar to Porsche.

Interior

The interior is a clean combination of Volvo Scandi-minimalism, Tesla austerity and familiar design cues from the NIO family. NIO has made a big deal about "invisible" smart air vents on both front and rear row, frameless windows and soft close doors with flush door handles.

NIO has compared the interior of the ET7 to a second living room, and it appears to be a comfortable space for four adults on a long trip. Standard equipment includes smart air suspension, heating, ventilation and massage functions all round. There is a full length glass roof, a 23 speaker audio system, dual-LCD screen dashboard and NIO’s Nomi; the automotive world’s first in-vehicle digital assistant.

Battery and Drivetrain

The NIO ET7 will initially be offered with two battery options; a 70 kWh with 500km (310 miles) of range, and 100 kWh with 700km (440 miles) range.

NIO plans a version with a solid-state battery packing 150 kWh and a density of 360wh/kg for later in 2022, which the company claims will offer 1,000km (620 miles) of range. While a number of automakers including Toyota have publicly discussed plans to develop solid state batteries and claim many advantages over Tesla’s technology, for now, solid state batteries have inferior cycle life to batteries with liquid electrolytes, such as Tesla’s setup.

NIO has also revealed Power Swap 2.0, it’s battery-as-a-service (BaaS) swap technology. While many — including us to a degree — remain sceptical about the scalability of this battery swap model, many NIO owners and Chinese customers generally are fond of the technology, which allows drivers to either turn up or book in a time to swap their vehicle’s battery pack in a matter of minutes. NIO claims the stations will be able to store 13 battery packs and provide up to 312 battery swaps per day. NIO plans over 500 battery swap stations by the end of 2021. NIO will offer a monthly payment option for this battery swap technology.

The ET7 offers an all wheel drive dual motor setup, with a permanent magnet motor in the front and an induction motor in the rear. It has a peak system output of 480 kW and 850 Nm of torque. NIO quotes a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 3.9 seconds.

Autonomy and Vehicle Technology

One hundred million. That’s the number of real-world kilometres driven using Tesla’s Autopilot system, and its the reason Tesla will be so hard to beat when it comes to autonomous driving. During NIO’s presentation of the ET7, the company praised the new NAD (NIO Autonomous Driving) system, with its Lidar, eleven eight-megapixel cameras and crazy powerful — 1,016 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS) — Nvidia chip, but what they didn’t talk about was software.

Elon Musk has long dismissed Lidar on passenger vehicles as unnecessary, and has even claimed “LiDAR is a fool's errand…anyone relying on LiDAR is doomed.” Tesla has stuck with a system of cameras and radar for the “eyes” of its autopilot system, but Tesla has had vehicles gathering data in the real-world for years now, with its Neural Network processing trillions of data points. In the video by Whole Mars Blog, a Tesla Model 3 successfully navigates from San Francisco to Los Angeles with almost zero human intervention, with just its computing power, and Tesla’s radar and camera system. Seriously impressive.

The NIO ET7 is due for release sometime in 2022, and pricing is as follows:

NIO ET7 (70 kWh)
448,000 yuan (US$69,185)
with BaaS: 378,000 yuan ($58,375) plus 980 yuan ($151) per month

ET7 (100 kWh)
506,000 yuan (US$78,142)
with BaaS: 378,000 yuan ($58,375) plus 1,480 yuan ($229) per month
ET7 Premier edition (100 kWh)
526,000 yuan (US$81,230)
with BaaS: 398,000 yuan ($61,463) plus 1,480 yuan ($229) per month