Behind us are two more big car shows, the New York Auto Show and the Shanghai Motor Show, which, in contrast to European car shows, served up a multitude of concepts and views into the not-so-distant future. It is interesting how the biggest brands saved the most futuristic studies for the Shanghai salon. Another proof that China is an increasingly important market for car manufacturers.
We took a look at what was new at the two motor shows that took place in April. The New York Auto Show and Shanghai Motor Show brought these futuristic concepts that will be driving our streets in the near future. And what we saw impressed us.
FITNESS ON FOUR WHEELS
RENEWED MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS
The slightly redesigned Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan represents new dimensions of comfort. The ambience in the passenger cabin is provided by 64 different ambient lighting, the Burmester 3D surround sound system for the soundscape, and a wide range of comfort-oriented equipment for pampering on longer journeys. In addition to adjustable seats, it also offers soundproofing, special air conditioning and ventilation functions, seat massage functions, and a large part adds the sophisticated Magic Body Control suspension system, which the Germans have upgraded with active body movement control. The driver has two 12.3-inch screens in front of him, and his path will be illuminated by new active LED headlights that throw light 650 meters away. The new S is capable of almost completely autonomous driving and represents the automotive future already today.
THE PEOPLE'S CONCEPT OF THE ELECTRICAL FUTURE
VOLKSWAGEN ID CROZZ
Volkswagen's emissions-free ID Crozz study promises a 500-kilometer range. At the fast charging station (150 kW), the battery is charged up to 80 percent in just half an hour. The ID Crozz will of course be able to drive itself, and it will become a serial model in 2020, as a representative of the new generation of Volkswagen electric vehicles. It is designed as a crossover and has a very sporty character. According to the Germans, the electric drive, which can squeeze out 366 hp (225 kW) and reach speeds of up to 180 km/h, was born both for wandering through the urban jungle and for releasing adrenaline. It is slightly smaller than the upcoming Tiguan Allspace. Its specialty is the 'coquettish' headlights that can wink, follow the events around them like human eyes and communicate with the surroundings.
IS THIS THE BEST OPEL?
OPEL GRANDLAND X
The Opel Grandland X SUV will debut only at the autumn Frankfurt Motor Show. To make it easier to wait for it, Opel served us with the first photos of the sports SUV, which is always ready to explore something new, be it in an urban or rural environment. With a length of 4.48 meters, the crossover sits alongside models such as the Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Volkswagen Tiguan and Seat Ateca. It is 20 centimeters longer than Mokka X and Crossland X. There is room for five passengers, and in the back there is a trunk that can hold as much as 514 liters. Of course, a wide range of safety assistance equipment, the OnStar communication system, radar cruise control and all other technological innovations are available. It will hit the roads at the beginning of 2018.
LIKE ALADDIN ON THE FLYING CARPET
CITROËN C5 AIRCROSS
Citroën has been introducing some very innovative cars lately and the highly anticipated C5 Aircross is no different. With it, the French are pushing a new hydraulic suspension to the forefront, which promises the feeling of floating on a flying carpet when driving, relative to the ground. It is Citroën's innovation of hydraulic shock absorbers, which will also be part of all their future vehicles. With them, the brand is returning to the recognizable technology of hydraulic damping and flexible chassis. Comfortable suspension has been in Citroën's genes for almost 100 years. It is basically a 4.5-meter-long, medium-sized sports SUV, which will offer a family-friendly 482 liters of space in the back. The car will offer a lot of personalization, which is becoming a trademark of this brand.
CHEAPEST MERCEDES WITH A TIE
MERCEDES-BENZ CLASS A LIMOUSINE
The Mercedes A-class sedan will become a serial model in 2019, and it will be manufactured in Hungary. It is a study of a concept vehicle, with which they want to strengthen their brush of compact vehicles, which contribute a significant share to Mercedes' scrotum. The new sedan will be 11 centimeters shorter than the C-Class, but it will be slightly wider and higher. The concept is adorned with smooth lines with AMG's Panamericana bonnet. The engine range will consist of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, and the sporty A45 AMG derivative will not be missing either. The concept, which is very close to the final product, also heralds new approaches in the design of the exterior of the brand in future generations of Mercedes-Benz. And we can only confirm that we absolutely love the concept.
ŠKODA ALSO BETTS ON ELECTRICITY
ŠKODA VISION E COUPE CROSSOVER
Škoda Vision E Coupe Crossover Concept is an electric sports crossover with coupe features and a panoramic roof with solar panels. The 'Shanghai' concept is adorned with four individually and electronically adjustable seats, and each passenger has their own infotainment system and a wireless charger in the door. The solar panels on the roof are responsible for powering the air system that cools the passenger cabin when the car is exposed to the sun. Autonomy is ensured by a lithium-ion battery with a range of 500 kilometers per charge. Vision E has the third level of autonomous driving, which means that the driver can still drive alone, but otherwise the car is capable of independent driving in crowds and on highways. Škoda predicts that the concept will become a reality by 2025 at the latest.
IT WAS DESIGNED BY A SLOVENIAN
AUDI E-TRON SPORTBACK QUATTRO
The Audi e-Tron Quattro Sportback is a study of a crossover with a distinct coupé line. The idea for it grew in the head of the Slovenian Domno Ručigaj, who is the second big household name in the automotive world after Robert Lešnik. The Audi e-Tron Quattro Sportback is expected to compete with the BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe, and the electric Tesla X and the upcoming Jaguar I-pace. The Audi e-Tron Quattro Sportback is the harbinger of a new design language for the brand from Ingolstadt, which heralds bolder lines and greater deviations between models. What kind of electrified powertrain it will be, remains a mystery for now. The study is an upgrade of the e-Tron Quattro study, which is becoming a serial electric crossover in 2018.
LIKE A SWISS ARMY KNIFE
TOYOTA FT-4X
The Toyota FT-4X was created by Calty Design Research's in-house design department based in California. The concept was placed on the TNGA platform, on which the Camry and CH-R also grew, with which the FT-4X has similar dimensions. The car is full of useful accessories, and many things have a dual function. The armrest is also a North Face sleeping bag. There are tons of USB ports, cameras, batteries and other functional accessories in the vehicle. A heater and a cooler are located in the tailgate. The latter have a double way of opening, namely sideways and vertically. The FT-4X has four-wheel drive and a four-cylinder engine, while other engine details are unknown. In any case, we haven't seen such a playful concept in a long time.
