Porsche, Audi Tease Sleek EV Prototypes


Tesla's not the only luxury electric vehicle maker in town. Porsche is showing off an EV concept at this week's Frankfurt Auto Show that will take you from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.


The Mission E, currently just a prototype, will include support for eye-tracking, gesture control, and even holograms. Plus, a rear-view-mirror-mounted camera recognizes if the driver is in a good mood, and showcases it as an emoticon that can be shared via social media.

It runs an 800-volt drive system, or double what is found on today's EVs, and has a 310-mile driving range. Porsche tipped a 15-minute charge time to reach 80 percent with the 800-volt port on the front left wing, though drivers can also use 400-volt charging stations if necessary. The Mission E could also be charged via a coil embedded in the floor of the garage.

"Every square inch, every angle, every radius of the Mission E reflects one thing above all else: emotional sportiness in the best tradition of Porsche design," the Volkswagen-owned company said in a news release.

Don't empty your bank account just yet: A final decision whether to build the car is expected at the end of the year. Porsche's electric sports car could hit the streets by 2019.

Rival Audi, meanwhile, used to show to formally reveal the e-tron quattro concept car (above).

Meant to preview Audi's all-electric, luxury-class sport SUV coming in early 2018, the prototype "combines driving pleasure with great range, an expressive design, and excellent comfort," Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Audi Board of Management, said in a statement.

The e-tron quattro concept sports three electric motors: one to drive the front axle, and two more in the rear, with total output of 320 kW. Dragging behind Porsche only slightly, Audi's vehicle sprints from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 130.5 mph.

A 95 kWh battery enables a range of more than 310 miles, and can recharge with an output of 150 kW in around 50 minutes. The concept car is also equipped with Audi Wireless Charging technology. Inside, you'll find a virtual cockpit of curved OLED screens, with additional displays for control over lights and systems like media and navigation.

Audi teased its all-electric SUV last month, just after teaming up with Samsung and LG to produce EV batteries. Samsung SDI and LG Chem will provide Audi with "powerful cell modules" to be used in a future vehicle.

Source: pcmag.com
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