Audi has shown its Q4 e-tron concept that they would like to be the entry level electric vehicle. It is basically a small SUV, in the mould of a Jaguar i-pace or a Tesla Model 3. It will be powered by two electric motors producing the equivalent of 225kW and like other electric cars recently announced, it will be an all-wheel-drive unit thanks to one motor at each end of the … [Read more...]
Ford’s Multi-Modal Transportation Patent
In May, Automotive News in the US wrote an article about a new patent that Ford had filed in the prior month. It was for a multi-modal transport system - not new as a concept but one that Ford was patenting as a way to ensure future products are secure from others launching similar ideas. The Ford idea is a vehicle that combines a motorcycle with a small car. Patent number … [Read more...]
BMW VISION 100 and Alive Geometry
A while back I saw another one of BMW's "out there" concepts. Whilst the concept that became the electric i8 made it to production, we haven't really seen any of the new technology from the GINA or the VISION NEXT 100 concept. Mainly because they are so far from reality. Their idea for "Alive Geometry" seems a little disconnected - and for a manufacturer that prides itself … [Read more...]
BMW GINA Concept
Back in 2008 when I started to produce motoring podcasts, the BMW GINA had just been announced and was making headlines the world over. I thought it would be good to re-visit this concept and see what components if any had made it to other cars over the past 6 years. The GINA (Geometry and function In “N” Adaptations) was what BMW called a "Light Visionary Model". The … [Read more...]