Automakers of all types are working up ways to bring an autonomous vehicle to the market. There is plenty of trepidation on the part of potential consumers about how these vehicles will perform.
Fortunately, Rinspeed is not only focused on that, but also on how it will look. The Swiss specialty automaker released some photos of what its XchangE autonomous vehicle may look like and the words Tesla Model S spring to mind.
The company is planning on displaying the concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The maker looks like it simply dropped a lime green body kit from Tesla on to a chassis, including a front bumper with gaping air dams, lime green paint, yellow trim pieces, larger rims, and a rear spoiler.
Of course, Rinspeed is also focused on what potential owners will get to do once inside the car.
“So far hardly anyone has taken this to its logical conclusion from the perspective of the driver,” said Rinspeed’s Frank M. Rinderknecht in a release. “After all, traveling in a driverless car will no longer require me to stare at the road, but will let me spend my time in a more meaningful way.”
The front seats swivel 180 degrees. This allows the occupants to do things with all the aforementioned free time. The seats can set up in a nearly horizontal position, with the rear back seats folded down to act as makeshift leg rests.
As long as everyone’s comfortable, they might as well be entertained. The vehicle has a large pop-up flat screen as part of its infotainment system. Actually, it has several screens that are part of the system, allowing all of the passengers to select how they choose to spend their time while being ferried along.
Fold out trays and an espresso machine are just a few items integrated into the center stack. And thanks to drive-by-wire technology, the steering wheel can be positioned in front of the driver or in the middle of the dashboard to make room for the multiple seating arrangements.
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You can read, listen to music, surf the web, play games and watch movies in brilliant picture and sound quality. Or you can hold a four-party meeting at 120 km/h and work on your files, the company notes.
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The XchangE – as a Tesla evolution – is sitting on 20-inch Borbet highest-quality alloy wheels with a glistening Reflectic finish.
Rinspeed is banking on the potential appeal of individual travel in one of these vehicles being even more attractive than traveling by train, plane or long-distance coach.
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“I am given free time that I can use for myself anyway I please, while the sensor systems and the connectivity chauffeur me safely and reliably to my destination,” Rinderknecht said.
