Almost all new cars are equipped with cameras that record the surroundings of the car to allow the driver to better assess the circumstances, but also to provide better evidence in case of an accident. However, cars could soon come with cameras that record the interior of the vehicle.
Hyundai Mobis is developing cameras that use the In-Cabin Monitoring (ICM) system to record the driver’s posture, seat belt use, and passenger vital signs such as heart rate. The function of the ICM is to warn the driver if he is not wearing a seat belt, is tired, is using a mobile device while driving, or has forgotten children after leaving the vehicle. The system will also monitor the condition of all passengers in the vehicle.
All of these systems help drivers prevent accidents and make travel safer. Statistics have shown that some of them, such as the AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) system, are already giving positive results, reducing the number of accidents by almost half.
The system has been approved in Europe and is expected to soon be seen in vehicles.
In October 2024, Škoda presented the car with which it entered a new era of minimalist, lean and functional design, Škoda Elroq. This is the first Škoda model that will be produced with a new design called “Modern Solid”. It will be produced in Mlada Boleslav on the same production line as models with a combustion engine.
Škoda Elroq is a fully electric compact crossover available with three different battery sizes (55, 63 and 82 kWh). The Elroq 50 is powered by a single electric motor with 170 hp (125 kW) and 228 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque, and thanks to a 55 kWh Lithium-ion battery it has a range of 230 miles (370 km) . The Elroq 60 is powered by an electric motor with 204 hp (150 kW), and has a range of over 400 km thanks to a 63 kWh battery. Elroq 85 and 85x are the most powerful versions. Both versions are powered by an electric motor with 285 hp (210 kW), and thanks to the 82 kWh battery, they have a range of over 560 km.
The car is equipped with a shiny black Tech-Deck mask instead of the standard one that adorned the previous models, a series of innovative design elements that enable a top speed of 180 km/h and a drag coefficient of only 0.26. There are also a larger front bumper with a dark chrome insert like the one on the new Kodiaq, and the familiar “four eye” headlight graphic.
Inside, the Elroq offers more space for passengers and the largest luggage compartment in its segment with a volume of 470 liters (up to 1,580 liters with the rear seats folded down). There are also 13″ infotainment display with a new user interface, a number of innovative sustainable materials, new Simply Clever features including smart compartments that offer 48 liters of storage capacity and a storage net for the charging cable under the parcel shelf, a wide range of intuitive connectivity functions, advanced assistance systems and up to nine airbags.
The facility in Mlada Boleslav is the only one in the Volkswagen Group in Europe where electric and combustion engine models are produced on the same production line, which enables the company to respond quickly to changes in the market. Therefore, part of the Škoda Octavia production was moved to the Kvasiny plant last year, in order to get more space for the production of the most affordable electric crossover with a starting price of 33,000 euros.
The Dacia Sandero has long been Europe’s best-selling car, and the Romanian brand has decided to expand its range with an all-electric version. The new all-electric Sandero will debut in two years.
Although sales of electric cars in 2024 were not at the expected level, Dacia hopes that their cheapest model in the segment could further attract new customers and ensure better operation in the future when EVs become more popular. Price will play a big role here, and the Sandero is far more competitive with Chinese models than other European cars.
In a recent interview with Car Magazine, the CEO of Automobile Dacia Denis Le Vot said that the new generation of Sandero will also use the existing platform. “There is no reason not to continue with the same platform. It is new, it is five years old, and the electrical architecture is even younger because it appeared when the General Safety Regulations 2 arrived,” Le Vot said.
Dacia has not yet decided which battery will be used in the new Sandero, and is looking for the cheapest option, so buyers of the all-electric version certainly cannot count on a long range. “Every car manufacturer tries to offer their best solution for electric vehicles, which is a range of between 500 and 500 kilometers, as well as a 20-minute charge on the highway. We are definitely not going to do that,” said Le Vot.
