2018-01-08 12:00
Chinese startup Byton has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first Smart Intuitive Vehicle (SIV) in the form of an electric SUV concept at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The production version will be launched in 2019 with prices starting at $45,000 (£33,240).
The Byton Concept has its crosshairs set on the Tesla Model X and will be built on Byton’s own dedicated platform. It measures 4,850mm long and 1,950mm wide, making it similar in size to a Range Rover Velar.
In default mode the 71kWh battery produces 200kW (268bhp) and has a range of 250 miles. A more powerful version uses a larger 95kWh battery and develops 350kW (469bhp) with a range of 325 miles. The battery takes just half an hour to recharge 80 per cent of its battery.
When it launches next year the model will feature Level 3 autonomous technology, while vehicles fitted with Level 4 will arrive in 2020 the company has confirmed.
Visually, the swooping front end has a whiff of Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross about it; the most eye-catching feature of the Byton Concept’s is the lack of wing mirrors, which have been replaced by rear-view cameras on both sides.
In terms of quality, Byton describes the interior of its concept as a ‘digital lounge experience’ with the feel of a luxurious living room rather than a high-end vehicle. The front seats can be rotated inwards so that the front occupants can face the rear passengers. The car boasts 5G WiFi, which is said to be 100 times faster than current 4G broadband; phone manufacturers are currently developing 5G smart devices ahead of an anticipated mid-2018 rollout.
The Concept features a huge digital display screen inside called a ‘shared experience display’ (SED) that spans across the dashboard measuring 49 inches wide and ten inches tall. While drivers and passengers can use the SED, there’s a secondary display screen embedded in the steering wheel for driver use.
It also features facial recognition that can adjust the driving setup that’s tailor-made to the driver’s specifications. The touchscreen steering wheel provides information and functions at the driver’s fingertips without the need to reach for buttons.
Due to Byton’s dedicated platform, the brand says it allows for flexibility to create future models. The Chinese-based marque confirmed at CES that saloon and MPV models are in the pipeline. With a starting price of $45,000 (£33,240), the Byton Concept is almost half the price of Tesla’s entry-level Model X (£75,435) but slightly more expensive than the $35,000 Tesla Model 3.
Byton is based in the Chinese city of Nanjing and was setup by e-car start up Future Mobility, co-founded by former BMW and Nissan executives. Carsten Breitfeld, the former head of BMW’s i division, is the firm’s CEO. Along with its Chinese headquarters, Byton owns studios and research and development facilities in Munich and Santa Clara, California.
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