The world of electric vehicles (EVs) is expanding, and very new auto shows are bringing a new lineup of EVs to the market. This year was no different, as the 2018 NY International Auto Show brought several EV cars to the show floor. The models vary in price, performance, and features—some with drive assist technology and others completely autonomous. Here are some of the best cars we saw on the show floor.
Ford Autonomous Research Car
Ford’s self-driving technology is being put to good use: delivering pizza. Ford and Domino’s are collaborating on a research project to understand the role of autonomous vehicles in service industry and how customers will respond to new experiences, interacting with a self-driving car.
Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility Assist Car
Nissan’s platform of Intelligent Mobility will combine several future car technologies into one system. Its future vehicles will be equipped with systems that allow cars to park themselves, monitor their surroundings, provide safety assist driving, communicate and learn from other cars on the road, and recharge as they drive. On display at the NY Auto Show was the e-Pedal demonstrator. This allows the driver to start, accelerate, decelerate, and stop using only the accelerator pedal. Press down hard on the e-Pedal for acceleration and lift off the pedal to mimic stepping on the brake pedal, allowing the vehicle to slow down and even come to a complete stop. The e-Pedal greatly reduces the need to shift from one pedal to the other.
The Mini-Countryman Plug-In Hybrid
Mini’s new Countryman Plug-In Hybrid offers e-driving to its customers. The new Countryman is all an eALL 4 all-wheel drive and its engine is a TwinPower Turbo 1.5 liter in-line 3-cylinder direct-injection engine along with an eDrive electric motor. The charging time of the battery is 3 hours and 15 minutes. The engine offers 221 horsepower (hp) while the eDrive offers 87 hp. The total system torque is 284 foot pounds (lb-ft) with 1,350 revolutions per minute (rpm).
The Land Rover PHEV 400e Vehicle
The new Land Rover Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles come with a home charging cable that connects to domestic sockets. The vehicle takes only 14 hours to recharge and takes advantage of off-peak electricity tariffs. The vehicle has a range of 31 miles, which can handle most city commutes and has an increased horsepower of 398.
Jaguar’s Waymo I-Pace
The formerly Google self-driving project Waymo has partnered with Jaguar to release the I-Pace. The plan from Jaguar is to release the I-Pace as a public ride share service. People will be able to request a ride via the Waymo app. The I-Pace has a 90-kWh battery made up of high-energy density, lithium-ion pouch cells. Its thermal management system support longevity and periods of sustained maximum power. A full charge provides a range of 240 miles, and its instant torque and all-wheel drive traction gives the I‑PACE the acceleration of a sports car. It reaches 60 mph in 4.5 sec.
The Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid
The Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid offers a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. It produces 330 hp and the electric motor produces 136 hp, giving the vehicle a total output of 462 hp at 516 lb-ft. The latest Panamera models are equipped with a newly developed 8-speed Porsche Doppelfupplung, which translates into a tremendous drive force of the respective engine into the acceleration expected of a sports car. Gears 1 to 6 have a sports ratio, and the top speed is achieved at the 6th gear. The 7th and 8th gear have a long ratio that helps keep the engine revs low even at high speeds. This provides efficiency and comfortably for driving over long distances. The gearshifts occur in only milliseconds with no disruption in the flow of power.
BMW’s i3S
The new BMW i3S is the sportier version of the i3 lineup. It has wider tires, new suspension settings, bolder and more aggressive bodywork, and a more powerful motor output at 137 kilowatts (kw) or 184 hp at 199 lb-ft of torque. The standard i3 only outputs 127 kw (170hp) at 184 lb-ft of torque. The car comes with a 33-kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack with advanced active thermal management system and a total range of 107 miles.
Mercedes-Benz’s GLC
Mercedes-Benz offered one of the more extensive lines of electric vehicles at the NY Auto Show. The GLC comes in three different models: an inline‑4 turbo, AMG-enhanced V6 biturbo, or gasoline/electric plug‑in hybrid power. There are three speeds available—a 7‑speed, 9‑speed, or AMG-enhanced 9‑speed transmission—and each comes with shift paddles. All models come with all-wheel drive and the vehicle is equipped with driver assist features such as radar-based collision prevention, attention assist, rearview cameras, surround view system, and distance pilot Distronic assist with crosswind assist and trailer stability.
Mercedes-Benz’s Smart ForTwo
The new Prime Cabrio Smart ForTwo model from Mercedes-Benz offers a great set of features for city driving. The car has a city electric miles per gallon range of 112 miles, a charge time of just 3 hours at 240 volts, and offers customers a federal tax credit of $7,500. The electric drive comes with an ECO driving mode, designed to maximize range and turn the vehicle's kinetic energy into electric energy for the road ahead. With the pre-entry climate control, you can heat or cool your smart while charging, for even more energy efficiency. It has a rated output of 80 hp and a max torque of 118 lb-ft.
Mercedes-Benz’s GLE
The GLE from Mercedes-Benz is the SUV cousin of the GLC. It has an efficiency of up to 50 MPGe on the highway and 39 MPGe in town. The 3.0L biturbo V6 and 85-kW electric motor have a combined 436 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle can travel for short distances, and even some commutes, on electricity alone . It can charge quickly—just 2.5 hours at a public charging station can deliver a full charge. It can be plugged into a standard outlet at home, while the gas V6 charges it as you drive. Radar-based regenerative braking helps extend battery range by optimizing braking energy.
The Honda Clarity
The Honda Clarity won 2018’s Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal. The vehicle offers a 47 all-electric range and can be charged at any standard 120-V outlet. The gas-powered engine takes over once the battery runs out and combined the car yields a 340-mile range. HV Mode uses the gas engine and one of the electric motors to help recharge the battery while cruising. Regenerative braking recharges the battery every time the accelerator is lifted and each time the brakes are applied.
