Category Archives: Future

A new generation of hydrogen-powered vehicles

The rapid development of the automotive industry brings many novelties. With the development of electric power, some companies, like Hyundai, are trying to introduce hydrogen as a power fuel. Thus, during a presentation at the IAA in Munich, Hyundai unveiled a concept car created in collaboration with Rimac Automobili, Vision FK.

This sports car is powered by a hydrogen engine, with 670 hp (500 kW). It reaches 62 mph in less than 4 seconds. Thanks to a complex system that combines a fuel cell energy converter with rear-wheel drive and a “plug-in” system of rechargeable batteries, Vision FK has a range of 370 miles (600 kilometers).

“The Vision FK is a bit of technical overkill, but it is an exciting challenge for our ambitious engineers,” said Hyundai’s head of research and development, Albert Biermann.

With the new hydrogen technology, Hyundai is confident that it will be a competitor to battery-powered electric vehicles by 2030. In order to achieve this, the company is planning to introduce their next-generation fuel cell system in 2023.

After the Vision FK Concept, Hyundai also unveiled a new Trailer Drone transport vehicle. It is a concept “truck” without a cabin but with autonomous driving. The drive is located in two e-Bogies with a “container.” E-Bogies operate independently and are equipped with a modular hydrogen tank system, which allows you to set the required number of tanks needed for each individual trip. Each tank provides a range of 1,000 kilometers.

2023 should be a turning point in the development of Hyundai vehicles. The arrival of a new generation of fuel cells has been announced, which should result in 50 percent lower costs but twice as much power.

Source: Hyundai

Volkswagen ID LIFE

At the car show, which is currently taking place in Munich, Volkswagen presented the concept of a “people’s car” available for every pocket. As Volkswagen announced, the price of ID LIFE, as it was called, will be 20,000 euros.

For the past five years, Volkswagen’s plan has been to make a car from the ID family. Thanks to the ACCELERATE strategy and the rapid transformation to electric mobility, this small car can be expected from 2025.

“In creating the ID. LIFE, we have consistently focused on the needs of younger customers. We believe that, even more so than today, the car of the future will be about lifestyle and personal expression. The customer of tomorrow won’t simply want to get from A to B; they will be much more interested in the experiences that a car can offer. The ID. LIFE is our answer to this,” says Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of the Volkswagen brand.

It is an urban car that retains simplicity and minimalist appearance, which is visible at first glance. No expensive materials. Recycled materials, wood, rice husk and rubber were used in the construction of the vehicle. The mirrors have been replaced by cameras. A textile roof has been installed which, if necessary, can be easily removed. This will most delight fans of rides on sunny days.

Inside, there is no standard control panel. On the steering wheel, there is a touch screen on which all the commands are located. The front and rear benches are foldable and can be used for different occasions. For those who like fun, the car is equipped with a game console and a projector.

ID.LIFE was developed on the MEB platform, and is powered by an electric motor with an impressive 234 hp (172 kW). With front-wheel drive, this electric car reaches 62 mph in 6.9 seconds. It uses a 57 kWh battery that provides a range of 249 miles (400 kilometers).

By 2030, Volkswagen wants to achieve electric models in sales of at least 70 percent in Europe and 50% in North America and China, respectively.

Source: Volkswagen

General Motors Design Futuristic Steering Wheel

General Motors Design has unveiled a special futuristic steering wheel design, reminiscent of a gaming console.

The news was published in a post on Instagram, which shows in which direction the development of the steering wheel is going. The steering wheel is upholstered in leather with buttons for autonomous driving system, while the impact of the driver will be minimal. It is not explained how the steering wheel would work, but some things are obvious.

There is a touch screen on the steering wheel and it can be used to control the car, just like with game consoles. On the left are the haptic controls for gear selection and braking, while on the right is the setting control button. At the bottom are the menu and home buttons.

Although it could be assumed that it is an electric car, the steering wheel still shows readings for temperature and oil, but not for the condition of the tank. Also, it is visible that the screen shows a speed of 108 mph, which indicates that there will be no electronic limit in the future.

It is hard to expect that the use of this steering wheel could come to life any time soon. First of all, there is no room for an airbag that is legally required.

Source: General Motors Design