Autocar May 25, 2022

A VERY PUBLIC spat between Euro NCAP, which carries out crash testing, and Renault, a recent recipient of some low scores, has shone a light on whether or not the installation of automated safety tech should carry so much weight in a car’s overall score. Renault boss Luca de Meo argues that several of these systems turn cars into “Christmas trees with technology on them that is absolutely useless”. He says they push up costs for customers and the assessments lack common sense in what really makes a car safe or not. In our experience, not all of these systems work brilliantly either in the real world and, in some cases, are prone to false activation and interference, thus becoming distractions. Other technology in cars could also be seen as having an adverse…

A VERY PUBLIC spat between Euro NCAP, which carries out crash testing, and Renault, a recent recipient of some low scores, has shone a light on whether or not the installation of automated safety tech should carry so much weight in a car’s overall score. Renault boss Luca de Meo argues that several of these systems turn cars into “Christmas trees with technology on them that is absolutely useless”. He says they push up costs for customers and the assessments lack common sense in what really makes a car safe or not. In our experience, not all of these systems work brilliantly either in the real world and, in some cases, are prone to false activation and interference, thus becoming distractions. Other technology in cars could also be seen as…

“We’ve created a very low car but it will be a proper four-seater” Mercedes-AMG has previewed its plans for a new stand-alone electric performance saloon to rival the Porsche Taycan with the unveiling of the Vision AMG. The production version, due in 2025, will be the first AMG model to use the company’s dedicated AMG.EA electric car platform – a structure conceived around a compact battery designed to allow a lower and more sporting shape than that permitted by Mercedes-Benz’s existing EVA electric car platform, as used by the EQS and EQE saloons. “We’ve taken full advantage of the new platform in both the design and proportions,” said Robert Lesnik, head of Mercedes-Benz exterior design. “The Vision AMG shows what we are planning: a low and sleek saloon with outstanding…

“We’ve created a very low car but it will be a proper four-seater” Mercedes-AMG has previewed its plans for a new stand-alone electric performance saloon to rival the Porsche Taycan with the unveiling of the Vision AMG. The production version, due in 2025, will be the first AMG model to use the company’s dedicated AMG.EA electric car platform – a structure conceived around a compact battery designed to allow a lower and more sporting shape than that permitted by Mercedes-Benz’s existing EVA electric car platform, as used by the EQS and EQE saloons. “We’ve taken full advantage of the new platform in both the design and proportions,” said Robert Lesnik, head of Mercedes-Benz exterior design. “The Vision AMG shows what we are planning: a low and sleek saloon with outstanding aerodynamics and the…

What were the design priorities for AMG’s first EV? “We wanted a low car with a great stance and good practicality with four doors. The AMG.EA platform allows this. We did a lot of proportional models to get the shape right. The surfacing is super-smooth. There are no redundant feature lines at all. You’ll notice elements from the Vision EQXX. Aerodynamics on a car like this is very important, both for reduction of drag and downforce. Active aerodynamics will feature on the production car. We have a lot of different ideas.” How have you reinterpreted traditional AMG design elements? “We’ve illuminated the grille to give it added prominence. With an electric car, you don’t need a functioning grille for air management, but we wanted to give the concept a familiar…

What were the design priorities for AMG’s first EV? “We wanted a low car with a great stance and good practicality with four doors. The AMG.EA platform allows this. We did a lot of proportional models to get the shape right. The surfacing is super-smooth. There are no redundant feature lines at all. You’ll notice elements from the Vision EQXX. Aerodynamics on a car like this is very important, both for reduction of drag and downforce. Active aerodynamics will feature on the production car. We have a lot of different ideas.” How have you reinterpreted traditional AMG design elements? “We’ve illuminated the grille to give it added prominence. With an electric car, you don’t need a functioning grille for air management, but we wanted to give the concept a familiar face. It sits…