Electric car designs continue to evolve. The Byton Concept car is as much a rolling mobile iPad as it is an SUV. A giant wraparound display and integrated steering wheel screen are part of this unique concept vehicle.
Start with the wraparound display,called the ‘Shared Experience Display’ by Byton: It is 48 inches of reinforced, shatter-resistance curved glass. The 8 inch touchpad screen in the center allows either front-row occupant to control the main screen, which is split into three sections for driver information, navigation and multimedia playback.
Note the lack of sideview mirrors: images from three rear-facing cameras (two on the side, one in the rear) display on the screens. A 7.0 inch touchscreen sits in the steering wheel above the airbag. Gear selection is via physical buttons on the wheel, (no gearstick or stalk). Other physical buttons exist only where legally required (E.g., hazard lights).
A twin-motor, four-wheel drive system develops 469 horsepower, making this a people mover that also has some real oomph. As a frame of reference, the first generation V-10 Dodge Viper, considered to be wildly over-powered, produced “only” 400 HP.
The Byton is not a (mythical) Tesla-killer — but it does show that innovation and creativity has been unleashed in the auto sector. Tesla gets the credit for shaking up the once moribund automobile sector. Expect to see more companies push the envelope of design and technology improvements
