CES 2022

VEHICLES IN VEGAS

Omicron put paid to a number of new vehicles physically being showcased at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). So the event went hybrid, as John Challen reports. Here are just some of the highlights...

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX

It wouldn’t be an automotive event without a ‘Vision’ concept from Mercedes-Benz. In the case of EQXX, it was an opportunity for people to get excited about a theoretical driving range of more than 620 miles.

Delve a little deeper than that headline grabber and there are more hints at what to expect from the German manufacturer in future production modules. A battery pack that holds more than 100kWh of energy, but that is 30% lighter than the EQS’ one, for example. Ultra-low rolling resistance tyres, lightweight disc brakes and solar panels on the roof are just three eco solutions that could quite easily get the green light in the coming years.

BMW iX Flow

While its German rival went down the efficiency route, BMW opted for a car that could change colour. Yep, the iX Flow (featuring E Ink) offers ‘a future technology that uses digitisation to also adapt the exterior of a vehicle to different situations and individual wishes,’ according to BMW.

It might seem a bit far-fetched, but BMW claims a variable coloured exterior can improve efficiency by reducing the amount of cooling and heating needed within the vehicle, when coupled with the right exterior hue.

In a (slightly) more conventional move, BMW also showed the iX M60 – an even more powerful variant of the iX. With over 600hp and a maximum torque of 1,100Nm from its twin-motor setup, it’s a car that continues to dispel the myth that EVs are dull…

Hyundai Metamobility Concept

Demonstrating its commitment to future mobility, Hyundai used CES 2022 to showcase the role it believes robotics will play. The OEM said the vision was for ‘the real work and the metaverse’, which is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection, apparently.

Back on planet Earth, Hyundai believes that future vehicles will serve as smart devices to access virtual spaces, enabling drivers and passengers to be in a Hyundai, but also in a VR environment at the same time.

It almost seems like a world away (no pun intended), but these ideas have a habit of becoming reality, so expect to see it on the Korean cars in the future…

Valeo

Not to be left out, two-wheeled technology was also represented within the halls of CES 2022. Valeo presented an all-electric 48V motorcycle – a cost-effective route to electrification and cleaner mobility. Beyond bikes, the automotive supplier said the new technology would suit a number of new forms of mobility, such as small urban vehicles.

Togg Transition Concept Smart Device

A new name in motoring emerged in Las Vegas with the arrival of Togg. The Turkish company ventured to the US with its ‘USE CASE Mobility’ concept, which was developed as a result of more than 30 focus groups involving more than 2,000 people. CEO Gürcan Karakaş, who describes the business as a technology company, not a car manufacturer, said the car has been built with a user-centric focus. As such, he said that a product needs to create user value to survive, adding that the company will adopt a number of “smart energy solutions”.

Batteries for the cars will be developed in-house via a joint venture with Farasis Energy and Togg has included further cell R&D into its business plan. Target-wise, the company is aiming for one million vehicles in five segments by 2030. Away from the actual vehicles, there were other important displays in Vegas, such as the EtelligentReach – a connected platform from Magna. Set to feature on a new model this year, the platform has two electric motors, inverters and gearboxes, proving that three isn’t always the magic number.

Engineering improvements to Magna’s eDrive technology means that the EtelligentReach’s driving range represents an increase of up to 90 miles when compared with “certain other production vehicles in the segment”. That might sound a bit vague, but it’s safe to say that it’s very much a positive step forward.

Magna also used CES 2022 to promote its connected PHEV technologies and other electrification solutions.

Sony Vision-S 02

The 2021 edition of CES saw electronics company Sony dip its toe into the water with the Vision-S 01 concept car and this year the company was back with a hardware (and software) update.

The second iteration of the electric SUV concept is a seven-seat affair with a full suite of sensors, safety systems and connectivity options. Inside the car, there’s 360° audio, rear-seat displays and large front screen to keep occupants entertained while parked.

Keeping true to the brand, PlayStations can be linked to the car through a remote connection, with the ability to stream games through the cloud from devices at home. Going further back, the company that brought you the Walkman and Discman declined to comment whether the new model would be called the Driveman. Stellantis and Amazon announced plans to collaborate on software solutions for the automotive company’s new digital cabin platform, STLA. In another collaborative bit of news, Geely-owned Zeekr and Mobileye announced they will work together to create the world’s first consumer autonomous vehicles with Level 4 capabilities by 2024.

There were a whole host of US-centric car debuts, including the Cadillac InnerSpace luxury EV concept and the Chevolet Equinox and Silverado EVs.

Electronics heavyweight LG got in on the act with the Omnipod concept – a “mobility concept solution that blurs the distinction between home and car”, it says.

Magna EtelligentReach

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