1) Aptera solar EV glides closer to production
Formerly known at the Aptera Paradigm+, the Aptera Aptera (nope, not a typo) is nearly ready for production and features a handy plug-in option for folks who live in gloomy, overcast places. There’s a 50,000-strong list of pre-orders for the Pininfarina-designed, two-seater, solar-cell-roofed tri-motor EV, capable of going from 0-100kph in 4sec on to a top speed of 163kph.
2) BMW showcased the Neue Klasse’s iDrive suite
BMW’s new iDrive features a dash-wide expanse of head-up display (HUD), the loss of the long-standing rotary controller and instrument display, and a dramatically angled central touchscreen. Some physical controls have been spared, but in a more minimalist and customizable world, you’ll be expected to speak up and talk with BMW’s ‘Intelligent Personal Assistant.’ Make way for a new bestie.
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3) The DanLaw CleverKey connected household EVs
Households that have more than one electric vehicle may be enthused by DanLaw’s CleverKey: a dongle that connects to each car then processes the information into one smartphone interface to show you which car needs juice next.
4) Donut Lab launched its in-wheel EV motor
Donut Lab, which makes in-wheel motors, not donuts, released some impressive numbers around its new in-wheel EV unit. The motor weighs only 40kg and develops 845hp in ‘Automotive’ spec. While the numbers aren’t gospel until they’re in a machine on the ground in real-world conditions, the progress itself is full of torque-filled promises.
5) Elaphe demo’d the Sonic 1 in-wheel motor
Speaking of in-wheel motors, Elaphe also demoed the Sonic 1. Elaphe is a Slovenia-based shop with a partnership with McLaren Applied. It claims the Sonic 1 motor offers 341hp per wheel and delivers an incredible 1,700Nm of torque at peak power. It’s also configured to accommodate 400mm brake discs in a 21-inch wheel.
6) Faraday Future made a minivan and launched the FX brand
In perhaps the most random turn of events, Faraday Future, creator of the futuristic, very luxurious, very expensive, and, um, four-year delayed FF91, launched ‘affordable models’ under its FX sub-brand.
The AI-powered MPV, the FX Super One, and the FX 5 and FX 6 crossovers are expected to cost no more than £41,000 (P2.9 million). The Super One minivan will launch in the spring.
7) Honda confirmed it’s putting the 0 Series concepts into production for 2026
Granted, the Honda 0 Series concepts aren’t new, but the fact that they’re definitely going into production and arriving next year is most certainly news. Could probably do with a better name, but both are every bit as space-themed and futuristic as their tech-laden cabins promise.
8) John Deere showcased driverless tractors
Our record-breaking history with tractors runs deep, and a move to driverless tractors marks agri-vehicle manufacturer John Deere’s first foray into the tech show. Need to plant the fields? Let the robots do it for you. Sixteen cameras give 360-degree visibility, help triangulate positioning, spot unsafe ground, and let farmers grab a cheeky nap without losing tillage time.
9) Hyundai Mobis showed off a full-screen holographic windshield
The Kia EV9 on the Hyundai Mobis stand had a regular windshield from the outside. From the driver’s seat, however, the view was entirely different. The software arm of the Korean carmaker has developed a holographic HUD spanning the full width of the dashboard. No word if or when the technology will be hitting the big (wind)screen in either brands’ models. More as we get it.
10) Nvidia made AI supercomputing even more accessible
Showcasing anything Nvidia does in a visual way is nigh-on impossible since the chipmaker’s expertise goes into making very tiny, powerful things as microscopic as it can manage. Project Digits (pictured) however, is a personal computer housing the most powerful AI supercomputing wizardry. Inside sits the GB10 chip, promising to make autonomous vehicles an everyday reality.
11) The high-tech Pebble Flow RV went on sale
The Pebble Flow is a posh all-electric caravan, and it’s now ready to go. How’s a caravan all-electric? It’s got its own dual-motor setup, meaning it can tow itself so as not to deplete the range on your EV. It gets a massive battery and solar cells, meaning it powers any trip without the need to lug a generator and that means you can stay off-grid, too.
12) The Sony Afeela 1 opened its order books
Remember Afeela, the Honda/Sony collab? Well, the Afeela 1 launched at this year’s CES. The electric sedan features a swathe of Sony electronics and a yoke steering wheel, and is available for preorder, though only in California at the moment.
13) Xpeng showcased the AeroHT EVTOL and Land Aircraft Carrier combo
Xpeng Motors is apparently pretty close to making Jetsons-style travel a reality with its Aero HT human-carrying drone, and Land Aircraft Carrier truck. The latter, referred to as the ‘mothership,’ was arguably the coolest four-wheeled thing at CES—featuring an over 966km all-electric range, and the ability to transport and power an ‘electric vertical-take-off-and-landing’ (EVTOL) craft, for up to six flights. Apparently, Xpeng's already had 3,000 preorders costing roughly £230,000 (around P16.4 million) apiece.
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
