Motor shows as we know them are either disappearing or downsizing, but that doesn’t mean the big car brands aren’t still creating flashy concept cars.
We also know that it’s sometimes hard for car enthusiasts to keep up with the incredible amount of product announcements that are always going on. Plus, honestly, it was a slow news day.
So we thought it might be a good time to put together a small list of the five most exciting concepts we’ve seen in 2022 so far, less than a third of the way through.
After all, who doesn’t love a wild car, brimming with hints of what’s to come from some of the world’s top car brands? If you’ve seen them already, sorry. But if you haven’t already, read on…
Audi A6 Avant e-tron
Oh Audi, you know the way to a car enthusiast’s heart. Revealed on March 17, the A6 Avant e-tron concept proves that the four-ring brand remains committed to sleek body design and isn’t just focusing on SUVs.
Based on Audi/Porsche’s all-electric ‘PPE’ platform, the A6 Avant e-tron is less than 5 meters in length, more or less the same as the current combustion engine A6 Avant. But a drag coefficient of 0.24 means it’s much more aerodynamic than most wagons.
Billed as near production-ready, Audi claims the road-going A6 Avant e-tron will offer a 100kWh battery, a driving range of 700km, and an 800V electrical system that enables 270kW fast charging (target target). achieves 300km in 10 minutes), and the clock from 0-100km/h in four seconds.
It’s close RS6 Avant quick, as its 350kW and 800Nm power and torque outputs show. The company also previously said it “can imagine” a hot, usable RS6 version RS e-tron GT’s 440kW/830Nm dual motor drive system.
Audi added an air suspension concept with adaptive damping, 22-inch alloy wheels, digital camera mirrors, matrix LED headlights and digital OLED taillights.
There are also three small, high-resolution LED projectors built into each side of the bodywork, which can be used to display warning symbols on the ground – for example, to warn a pedestrian The bicycle is approaching the open door.
“Electric vehicles will now also become attractive to customers who prefer models outside the SUV segment – such as the Avant, which is a hallmark of the brand,” Audi said in a statement. Right.
Jeep Wrangler Magneto 2.0
Jeep introduced the Wrangler EV concept a year ago, and followed it up earlier this month with a successor. The first one is called Wrangler Magneto, and this one is called… Magneto 2.0.
It’s a “vehicle that embodies the Jeep Brand’s dedication to Zero-Emission Freedom,” the brand claims, capable of delivering tremendous levels of torque and resilience to brake energy. giving it “unparalleled rock crawling”. Now we talk…
This wild look offers a custom built axial flux electric motor operating up to 5250 rpm, a six-speed manual transmission, four lithium-ion battery packs distributed throughout the chassis for balance weight (total capacity 70kWh) and 800V power system for fast charging.
Jeep says the Magneto 2.0 can instantly deliver a staggering 1150Nm of torque to the wheels, as well as 466kW of power (that’s 625hp). The 0 to 96km/h time is advertised as 2.0 seconds, which really seems crazy.
For stability, Jeep has added 12 inches to the wheelbase over the two-door Wrangler, a custom 3.0-inch lifter, and 40-inch off-road tires mounted on 20-inch wheels.
The off-road-specific chassis system includes Dynatrac Pro-Rock front and rear axles, lockers for both, custom driveshafts and off-road springs. The front and rear flared carbon fiber wheels cover all-terrain tyres, but you wouldn’t want to ruin a…
Genesis X Speedium
Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand is no stranger to sexy concept cars, recent examples include the X Concept GT coupe, Mint Concept hatchback, and beyond the very announced 2017 GV80 SUV concept. More on roadgoing versions on sale today.
The latest example, called the Genesis X Speedium Coupe, came out April 13 and is billed as coming from a “freestyle” exercise by lead designer Luc Donckerwolke, whose previous designs include diverse cars ranging from Audi A2 to Lamborghini Gallardo.
The design feature is billed as “less is more”, with highlights including a new twin-LED lighting system that spans the entire front of the car and mimics the triangular grille surround, the road Curved shoulders, taller and more glassy than the rear to add room for the rear seats.
The door handle is hidden and the camera’s exterior rearview mirror is also visible like the one fitted on Genesis GV60. From the rear there is a ducktail spoiler with a V-shaped third taillight integrated into it, as well as an elliptical scallop and an active diffuser.
Genesis says the Speedium name was inspired by “the passion for sports cars of the Genesis designers at the Korean racetrack”. It refers to the Inje Speedium track here.
Genesis adds, however, that alas this isn’t a “conventional concept car preview plan for the production line”, instead Mr. Donckerwolke says it’s “a review of the design processes” our design as we explore ideas for the next wave of EVs”.
Mercedes-Benz EQXX
The radical Mercedes-Benz EQXX electric concept car shown at CES in early 2022 has since delivered the promise of four-figure range and record-low energy consumption.
A trip from Sindelfingen, through the Swiss Alps and Northern Italy, to Cassis on the Côte d’Azur, is more than 1000 km long, but the EQXX has arrived with 15% of the remaining range – or about 140 km. And along the way, it reached speeds of up to 140km/h.
The Mercedes-Benz EQXX show car has an air-friendly, teardrop shape (its drag coefficient is ridiculously low at 0.17).
These include an active rear diffuser and drag-reducing wheels, newly developed Bridgestone tires with super-low rolling resistance ratings, and lightweight materials such as the F1-style carbon fiber-road mix and aluminum. casting, to reduce curb weight. .
The 100kWh large capacity battery is counted as 50% smaller and 30% lighter than the battery used on the road Mercedes-Benz EQS limo, and a solar roof with 117 cells and a 12V battery for the ancillary electronics could add 25km of driving range.
While the EQXX is merely a concept car, says Markus Schäfer, member of the development board of Mercedes-Benz, “many innovative developments have been incorporated into production, some of them. part of the next generation of modular architecture for small and midsize Mercedes-Benz vehicles”.
Polestar 02
Polestar has yet to say if it intends to put the O2 – revealed in March of this year – into production, but we’re sure many people will be pleased if it does!
It adopts Polestar’s new design language, debuting with the same sexy silhouette Limited concept of 2020to a two-door sports car.
The O2 has a glass and metal roof that folds into the trunk. Thanks to its long wheelbase and short overhang, the two-door concept has a 2+2 seating arrangement.
The interior features extensive use of thermoplastic “single material” throughout the cabin, as well as recycled polyester for many of its components, including foam, adhesives, nonwovens and 3D knitting.
The O2 comes with a Hoco Flow drone located behind the rear seats. Thanks to a raised air cushion to create an area with very little air turbulence, the drone can be launched while the car is in motion.
The up-and-coming automaker hasn’t revealed any details about the O2’s powertrain, battery capacity, range or performance, but says the concept runs on a modified version of the O2. bonded aluminum platform is being developed for the Polestar 5 luxury back lift version.
What’s the coolest concept car you’ve seen recently? I bet I failed to mention a bunch of…
