VW showcasing new I.D. Electric concept car at NAIAS

Volkswagen will present a new I.D. family model – a multi-functional vehicle for a new era. The concept vehicle forges links between the legendary origins of the Volkswagen brand and its electrifying future. Like the I.D., this concept is also based on the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB), and so it shows the potential and bandwidth of the MEB.

Since the presentation of the I.D. at the Paris International Motor Show in September of this year, these initials have stood for a new generation of fully connected, all-electric vehicles from Volkswagen. The I.D. also stands for purity in design language, form, and character as well as typical Volkswagen attention to detail and ideal use of interior space.

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Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing unveil gorgeous hypercar

The new Aston Martin AM-RB 001 is what happens when you bring two powerhouse automotive giants. The concept version of the hypercar was unveiled on Tuesday showing off the amazing skills of Red Bull’s aerodynamics engineer/genius Adrian Newey. They call it a road-legal Formula One car but instead of using the hybrid V6 powertrain, it’ll be using a 1,000-horsepower V12 engine. Its downforce will be generated by the body, more specifically the shape of the car’s underbody, so you won’t see massive wings on this one. It’ll come with two seats and is designed to be both a true road car and a vehicle capable of performing magnificently on track.

We won’t see the interiors of the car just yet but Aston Martin customers have been showing interest already. According to its CEO Dr Andy Palmer, at least 370 customers have shown interest in the supercar. They originally planned to release 99 AM-RB 001 road cars that’ll cost between £2 and £3 million (CA$3.3 and $5 million) but now they plan a limited run of 150 road cars and 25 track-only vehicles.

Source: Ars Technica + Business Insider

Rolls-Royce’s concept is as futuristic as it gets

Rolls-Royce’s new concept is truly a vision. The 103EX vision vehicle highlights how the luxury car manufacturer interprets the self-driving technology. The car itself is 20 feet long and stands five feet tall. It has a two-person silk covered couch and a see-through glass display in the dashboard area where your steering wheel usually is. It has a roof canopy, has bespoke features, and promises to be almost soundless as Rolls-Royce says: “The only sound is the hushed beat of your own heart.” And, of course, the car comes with artificial intelligence in the form of Eleanor. You can watch the concept video above or get a 360-degree look of the car in this link. Rolls-Royce says they could make the 103EX available in the 2040s.

 Source: Laughing Squid

Toyota’s new concept comes with a 3D-printed dash

Toyota’s thinking past the millennials and into the next generation a.k.a. “generation Z” with its new concept. The uBox has been made in collaboration with graduate students of Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research to teach the students about the ins and outs of car design and manufacturing. And while it won’t become a production car, we could see some of the integrated technologies make its way in future Toyota vehicles.

What is so special about the uBox? It has a customizable dash thanks to 3D printing. You can customize things like vents, dashboard display fixtures, door trims, and the like. It even has a curved glass roof and 110-volt sockets inside and outside so you can have it power your electronics, too. Talk about speaking to the next generation.

Source: Engadget