On October 2, Peugeot will premiere the electric version of its 408 crossover SUV, the Peugeot E-408. The car was announced with a photo that doesn’t reveal much.
The current Peugeot 408 arrived on the market in 2022, and is based on the EMP2 platform, which it shares with the 308 model, but also with other models within the Stellantis Group, such as the Opel Astra, Citroen C5 X and DS 4. Visually, the E-408 it has not undergone any changes compared to the internal combustion engine and hybrid versions.
The car will have a new name tag, and technical details have not been revealed. It is assumed that it will have the same electric motor with 156 hp (115 kW) and use a 54 kWh battery that allows a range of about 400 kilometers. The electric version of the Peugeot E-308 uses the same battery.
Lotus has revealed its new Theory 1 electric concept, which heralds the arrival of a new generation of its sports cars. A production version is not planned for release before 2027.
The Lotus Theory 1 is an electric supercar with a three-seat configuration like that of the McLaren F1. It is equipped with a carbon body, butterfly doors and many other carbon components, and the design resembles the S1 Esprit from 1977. It looks slimmer, narrower and more beautiful than the Evija model.
The car also brings a lot of innovations and one of them is Lotuswear, a system of adaptive robotics covered with textiles, which Lotus developed with Motorskins and which can provide haptic feedback to the driver through the seat and steering wheel. The small pods provide pulses to suggest to the driver when to turn, and can also function as buttons. However, there are some things Lotus fans may not like, such as the Steer-by-wire system that allows drivers to adjust the ratio of steering and feel.
Theory 1 is powered by two electric motors with a total power of 1,000 hp (735 kW). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), and has all-wheel drive. It is equipped with a 70 kWh battery that enables a range of 402 kilometers. There are also Pirelli P Zero Elect tires, developed to reduce rolling resistance and increase range by 10 percent.
The Smart #5, announced at the Beijing Motor Show as Concept #5, has now finally made its debut. It is the largest and most spacious car of the German brand, which with its tech-rich interior is worthy of comparison with Mercedes cars.
The Smart #5 is an important car for the German manufacturer, with which the company hopes to steal a certain number of customers from competitors such as the most popular car in the world last year, the Tesla Model Y. Midd-size Premium SUV na the European market will arrive early next year
The car is 4,705 mm long, which is similar in size to the Mercedes-Benz GLB, with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. The design of the front of the car is well known, with the lights connected by a thin illuminated line. It is equipped with plastic linings, flat door handles and aerodynamically optimized rims like those on Rolls-Royce models. On the D-pillars is the Smart logo.
Those who want more can choose the Summit Edition version, which is equipped with roof lights, side steps and a ladder for easier access to the roof racks. Also, this model comes with underbody protection, an electric hook and an external luggage compartment.
The interior of the car is equipped with zero-gravity front seats, premium leather, oak details, electric sunshade, LED reading lights like those found in airplanes, an ambient lighting system with 256 colors, as well as a Sennheiser sound system with 21 speakers. In front of the driver is a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel, as well as two 13-inch screens (one for the infotainment system and the other containing a small lion avatar named Leo, as well as a state-of-the-art generative voice AI assistant that uses various sources to accurately respond to almost all questions). Also, there is a 25.6-inch AR head-up display.
Smart did not forget about the passengers in the back, who can now enjoy comfortable heated seats with adjustable backrests. Passengers can also count on a luggage space of up to 1,530 liters with the rear seats folded down, as well as 34 compartments for storing various items.
When it comes to the powertrain, Smart has not released any information. However, from some other sources it is known that there will be four options, two with a single electric motor with 340 hp and 363 hp. The other two options will be powered by two electric motors, one on the front axle with 224 hp and one on the rear axle with 363 hp or 422 hp. They will be equipped with a 100 kWh battery that enables a range of up to 740 kilometers. Also, thanks to 800V technology and a supercharger, the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 15 minutes.
