As the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) begins, OEMs, suppliers, start-ups, and tech giants from various regions will congregate in Las Vegas to unveil new automotive technologies and showcase their latest offerings. However, as these announcements roll out over its pre-show press conferences and four event days, it is easy for news beyond the convention hall to go under the radar. This article rounds up a selection of the week’s most interesting stories originating from outside CES to keep you wholly up to date with the industry’s latest activities.
Zeekr launches 2023 001 EV with optional CATL battery pack
Geely’s premium EV brand, Zeekr, has launched the 2023 iteration of its 001 EV, offering performance enhancements and a greater variety of premium feature packages.
Similar to its previous generation, the model will be offered in four variants – two WE Editions, a ME Edition, and a YOU Edition. The single-motor RWD WE Edition is equipped with a 100-kWh battery pack, which enables an estimated range of 460 miles (740 kilometers) based on the CLTC scale and a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 6.9 seconds. A dual-motor AWD WE Edition provides an 86-kWh battery, an estimated 339-mile (545 km) range, and a reduced 0-62 mph time of 3.8 seconds. In China, both WE Editions will retail from RMB 300,000 – equivalent to around $43,593 and €41,145.
The car’s ME and YOU Editions share the same set of specifications – both offering a 100 kWh battery pack, a dual-motor AWD system, a maximum range of 407 miles (656 km), and a 0-62 mph time of 3.8 seconds. The pricing for each model remains unchanged from the previous generation, with the ME Edition retailing from RMB 349,000 ($50,786 / €47,859), and the YOU Edition from RMB 386,000 ($55,953 / €55,953).
All models in the 2023 001 EV line-up will utilize Geely’s SEA architecture, with its dual-motor versions offering 536 hp (400 kW) of power and its single-motor versions up to 268 hp (199 kW). In both instances, the top speed is capped at 124 mph (200 km/h). Inside, the 001’s infotainment system is unchanged from its previous generation – spearheaded by a 14.7-inch central display and an 8.8-inch digital gauge. Rear passengers benefit from a 5.7-inch multi-function touchscreen, while a premium Yamaha audio system is provided as standard.
A range of optional features extends the functionality of the 2023 001. With the YOU Edition, for example, Zeekr is offering a RMB 35,000 ($5,093 / €4,797) Z-Sport package that includes new vehicle colors, Brembo six-piston calipers, and adaptive racing seats among other performance-oriented enhancements. At the top of the EV’s premium feature offering is an optional 140 kWh Qilin battery pack from CATL. Exclusive to the single motor WE Edition, it increases the model’s maximum range to 641 miles (1,032 kilometers) – representing a 180-mile (291-km) increase against its base range estimate. The Qilin battery package is priced at a RMB 103,000 ($14,931 / €14,129) premium on top of the WE Edition’s original cost – bringing its total to RMB 403,000 ($58,644 / €55,281). Zeekr confirmed that the WE Edition fitted with this battery will be offered in a limited run of 1,000 units and launch in Q2 2023. While marking the latest integration of the Qilin Battery into a Zeekr vehicle, following its use in the 009 MPV, CATL has said that the 2023 001 is the first integration of its ultra-long-range version.
Having launched its new 001 EV in China, the brand intends to bring the model to Europe in 2023 – though a more specific release window has yet to be confirmed.
Aptera reveals Delta, the production design for its solar EV
Aptera has revealed Delta, the latest version of its solar EV intended to showcase its production-intent design. Delta follows the vehicle’s prior development phases – named Alpha, Beta, and Gamma – and will ultimately inform the final version of the vehicle, the Launch Edition Aptera. This edition is categorized by the start-up as its first, and most exclusive, vehicle planned to enter large-scale production. To scale the EV’s production, while supporting simplicity and efficiency, Aptera will ship its Launch Edition vehicles under one configuration.
Ahead of the Launch Edition entering production, Aptera plans to begin systems integration and develop various Delta vehicles to support the validation and crash testing stages. Once these stages have been successfully completed, the Launch Edition will then enter production.
While Delta’s full specifications and list of features will be revealed later in January as part of a livestream webinar, a video released by Aptera previews its key elements. It shows an exterior design resembling that of the Gamma version, though the trunk and its cargo space have been newly highlighted. The cabin adopts new materials, while the video emphasizes its technologically focused infotainment system.
The system is led by a large landscape touchscreen which houses many of the vehicle’s key controls, including those for its HVAC and media systems. While the screen also shows controls for the EV’s transmission, a set of physical buttons at the bottom of the display can also be used to change its setting. Underneath, a center console offers storage space, a dual cup-holder, and a small tray that can hold a smartphone. Behind a two tone steering yoke, a pair of equally sized screens display a video feed from each of Delta’s side cameras.
Torc Robotics and Fortellix collaborate to support the safe deployment of autonomous trucks
Torc Robotics, the independent Daimler Truck subsidiary, announced a new multi-year strategic collaboration with Fortellix. Through it, Torc will leverage Foretify – Fortellix’s verification and validation (V&V) platform – to aid the development of new autonomous trucks. Within the late stages of the development cycle, Foretify will allow Torc to test a broad variety of driving scenarios, informing and assisting the safe deployment of L4 trucks in the future.
The platform also enables Torc’s development, V&V, and safety teams to specify the driving scenarios tested – through which large-scale tests can be generated and carried out, with their results analyzed accordingly. The partnership will also see Torc utilize Fortellix’s V-Suites package of scenarios, test plans, maps, and KPIs to further accelerate its testing program.
Integrity Security Services & SaeSol Tech to jointly develop security solutions for connected and autonomous vehicles
Integrity Security Services (ISS) and SaeSol Tech (SST) have announced a new partnership to develop new security technologies that will help OEMs protect their future connected and autonomous vehicles.
ISS has said that the partnership will unite its Device Lifecycle Management (DLM) and V2X connectivity platforms with integration, support, and development services for global automakers. The DLM platform itself will be combined with the company’s security credential management solution to help OEMs enhance the security of OTA updates and phone-as-a-key features, while delivering secure diagnostics and provisioning over the vehicle lifecycle.
For ISS, the collaboration will aid its expansion by helping it deliver security solutions to its customers based in Asia. SST will in turn gain access to ISS’ platforms and intellectual property, while its own V2X infrastructure and experiences in client software will be integrated with ISS security platforms – providing turnkey solutions for OEMs and suppliers.
Over the course of the partnership, both companies will together develop new test cases for the validation of connected vehicle solutions and advanced misbehavior detection technologies. Through these cases, ISS and SST aim to help clients protect their mobile networks against malicious cybersecurity attacks.
