Automakers line up new EVs, hybrids to show their progress in electrification
The Paris Motor Show is about to get underway and automakers have started giving indications on what products they will be showcasing at this year’s event. Like all big auto shows, the event is likely to give a glimpse into what the not-so-distant future holds in store for the auto industry. Going by the recent announcements on expected models, ‘electrification’ is likely to be one of the dominant themes, with almost all big automakers that will be participating in the show have revealed that there will be a new electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid car among their exhibits.
The most anticipated arguably is the electric vehicle by Volkswagen (VW). The new EV will be a five-door hatchback, the images of which VW released late last week. VW’s brand head Herbert Diess has already stated that the model will be slightly smaller than Golf but will have enough interior space to match that of a Passat. First car to be based on VW’s modular electric architecture (MEB), it has been reported that this concept vehicle could have a range of almost 400-600 kilometers (270-370 miles).
SUVs go electric
Daimler will unveil a new EV, which is expected to be a SUV with a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles). We will have to wait and see if Daimler makes use of the recently trademarked brand ‘EQ’ for this new SUV. Daimler is planning to launch at least six EVs between 2018 and 2024. Mitsubishi will also showcase its GT-PHEV Concept, which has been designed as a "high-end” next-generation SUV. It offers an electric-only range of 120 kilometers and a combined range of over 1,200 kilometers.
It will be really interesting to see big SUVs fitted with electric powertrain considering these vehicles have a reputation of being high-emission fuel guzzlers. Despite that fault, SUVs have become popular in most part of the world and a zero-emission powertrain could only add up to the demand for this body type.
Increasing range
Apart from the new models, the Paris Motor Show is also expected to showcase existing EV models with a higher-range Renault Zoe being one of them. According to reports, Renault is expected to increase the range of its all-electric hatchback Zoe to 200 miles (321 km), up from 100 miles (160 km) that the current model offers. The French company will also reveal a new EV concept, the GT électrique, which reportedly could be a slightly re-designed next-generation LEAF.
General Motors’ Opel brand will showcase the Chevrolet Bolt EV as ‘Ampera-E’. The car is expected to get the same powertrain (50 kW/204 hp (PS) and 360 Nm.) and range (Over 200 miles) as the Bolt.
Small car maker Smart, a division of Daimler, is also looking to expand its electric vehicle portfolio and has announced that it will be the first brand in the world to offer both conventional internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric powertrain across its lineup. In Paris, it is expected to launch new-generation fortwo and forfour electric vehicles. While the fortwo already has an electric version in the market, it will be the first time forfour will get an electric powertrain. In the fortwo, the electric motor will have an output of 80hp and 118 lb-ft of torque, up 19% from the previous car. The car is expected to have a range of 99 miles (160 kilometers).
The rise of hydrogen technology
Electric and hybrid powertrains will be the main be the choice for replacing the ICE engines in the short run, but a few automakers believe that in the long run the hydrogen fuel cell technology will power most vehicles. The Paris Motor Show will have a few examples of this technology on display. Toyota has announced that it will showcase its FCV Plus concept car at the show. While the concept debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, it will be a European debut for the car.
Electrification is also a rising trend in the sportscar segment. Ferrari will make the official debut of its open-top LaFerrari hybrid sports car, which will employ a 6.2L V12 and a 120kW electric motor which combine for 708kW and 970Nm. Porsche too will unveil the all-new Panamera 4-E Hybrid which will have a 2.9L, twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine producing 330hp and torque of 448Nm, and an electric motor of 136hp (100 kW) and torque of 400Nm.
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