Αυτό είναι. Το πρώτο αυτοκίνητο παραγωγής της Faraday Future, μιας εταιρίας που αντιμετωπίζει εδώ και καιρό αρκετά προβλήματα, με όλα να έχουν να κάνουν με την έλλειψη μετρητών.
Στην CES λοιπόν, όπως είχε ανακοινώσει, παρουσίασε το FF 91, το πρώτη της αυτοκίνητο που θα περάσει στη παραγωγή και διαθέτει τέσσερις ηλεκτροκινητήρες που αντλούν ενέργεια από μια μπαταρία 130 kWh. Το σύστημα αποδίδει συνολικά 1.050 άλογα με 1.800 Nm ροπής και είναι σε θέση να κάνει τα 0-96 χλμ/ώρα σε μόλις 2,39 δευτερόλεπτα.
Έχει αυτονομία 608 χλμ, διαθέτει σύστημα torque vectoring στους πίσω τροχούς, με την μπαταρία των 130 kWh να έχει αναπτυχθεί σε συνεργασία με την LG Chem και να φορτίζει στο 50% μέσω οικιακού φορτιστή 240 Volt σε 4,5 ώρες. Το μήκος του αγγίζει τα 5.250 mm, το πλάτος τα 2.283 mm, το ύψος τα 1.598 mm και το μεταξόνιο τα 3.200 mm. Τα φωτιστικά σώματα είναι τεχνολογίας LED, με την μεγάλη πανοραμική οροφή να χρωματίζεται με το πάτημα ενός κουμπιού.
Το Faraday Future FF 91 υποστηρίζει τεχνολογία αυτόνομης οδήγησης, αλλά η εταιρία δεν έδωσε περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες γι’αυτό, πέραν του ότι διαθέτει 13 ραντάρ, 10 κάμερες υψηλής ευκρίνειας, 12 αισθητήρες υπερήχων και ένα 3D αναδιπλούμενο Lidar στο καπό. Τα παραπάνω επιτρέπουν στο FF 91 να παρκάρει μόνο του μέσω του συστήματος Driverless Valet, το οποίο είναι ουσιαστικά το ίδιο με το summon σύστημα της Tesla. Κατά την παρουσίαση του μοντέλου, το σύστημα την πρώτη φορά απέτυχε να λειτουργήσει, αλλά τελικά μετά από προσπάθειες των ανθρώπων της εταιρίας, λειτούργησε.
Έχει αεροδυναμικό συντελεστή οπισθέλκουσας 0,25 Cd, κορυφαίο νούμερο, μιας και η Faraday Future αναφέρει πως ο σχεδιασμός του “οδηγήθηκε” από την αεροδυναμική, αλλά και στο να βελτιστοποιηθεί ο διαθέσιμος χώρος στο εσωτερικό. Οι ζάντες 22″, με ελαστικά διαστάσεων 275/40, αλλάζουν αυτόματα το σχήμα των ακτίνων όταν το αυτοκίνητο κινείται με ταχύτητα, προκειμένου να παρέχουν πιο αεροδυναμικό σχεδιασμό. Η εταιρία δεν έδωσε καμία φωτογραφία του εσωτερικού του FF 91, αλλά υποστηρίζει πως αυτό θα προσφέρει μεγάλη άνεση, με τις πλάτες των πίσω καθισμάτων να έχουν δυνατότητα ανάκλισης μέχρι και 60 μοίρες, ενώ στο κέντρο του ταμπλό υπάρχει μια μεγάλη οθόνη αφής.
Επίσης αξίζει να σημειωθεί πως το FF 91 δεν έχει συμβατικούς καθρέπτες, αλλά την θέση τους έχουν πάρει κάμερες. Επειδή όμως ακόμη οι κάμερες δεν είναι ακόμη νόμιμες, ένας παραδοσιακός καθρέπτης μπορείς να τοποθετηθεί εύκολα στην βάση. Βασίζεται στην VPA (Variable Platform Architecture) πλατφόρμα της εταιρίας, με τις μπαταρίες να είναι τοποθετημένες στο πάτωμα. Το αυτοκίνητο διαθέτει ενεργή ανάρτηση και χρησιμοποιεί τον εξωτερικό φωτισμό του να επικοινωνήσει με τους πεζούς όταν λειτουργεί αυτόνομα, ενώ διαθέτει WiFi hotspots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y8hUf0Np6k
Το παράδοξο είναι πως το FF 91 που βλέπουμε στις φωτογραφίες και στα video, δεν είναι το τελικό προϊόν που θα περάσει στη παραγωγή. Η εταιρία θα κάνει βελτιώσεις σε αυτό, ενώ ήδη δέχεται παραγγελίες, αρκεί κάποιος να είναι πρόθυμος να δώσει προκαταβολή 5.000 δολαρίων, ποσό που θα επιστραφεί κατά την παράδοση του αυτοκινήτου.
Τα πρώτα 300 FF 91 θα είναι η έκδοση Alliance Edition, με ένα μέρος των εσόδων από τις πωλήσεις των FF 91 Alliance Edition να διατίθενται σε ένα περιβαλλοντικό ταμείο. Σύμφωνα με τις μέχρι σήμερα πληροφορίες, το αυτοκίνητο θα έχει τιμή από 150.000 μέχρι 200.000 δολάρια και αναμένεται να μπει στην παραγωγή το 2018, όταν ολοκληρωθεί το εργοστάσιό της, οι εργασίες κατασκευής του οποίου έχουν σταματήσει εδώ και μήνες λόγω οικονομικών προβλημάτων.
Faraday Future (FF) has revealed FF 91 (“nine one”), its first production vehicle, at an exclusive event prior to the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Built upon the company’s Variable Platform Architecture (VPA), FF 91 represents a bold new breed of electric mobility that combines supercar performance, precise handling, the comfort of an ultra-luxury passenger vehicle, and a unique collection of intelligent internet features.
Starting now FF will start accepting reservations for FF 91 through the company’s newly redesigned website, FF.com. Reservations are $5,000 and are fully refundable. The first 300 orders will have the option to upgrade their reservation in March 2017 to join an exclusive launch series, the Alliance Edition.
THE NEW PERFORMANCE
FF’s proprietary VPA is a flexible powertrain system featuring a monocoque vehicle structure in which the chassis and body are a single form – providing measurable improvements in overall vehicle rigidity, safety and handling. An available All Wheel Drive system offers greater traction, control and precise power distribution. The VPA also houses class-leading battery technology, multiple motor and battery configurations, as well as the company’s first patent: the FF Echelon Inverter.
FF 91’s powertrain features a multi-motor setup, enabling real-time torque vectoring to the rear wheels. This technology delivers superior acceleration, safety while leveraging rear-wheel steering for agile cornering, allowing drivers to confidently execute maneuvers like merging onto freeways or accelerating out of dangerous scenarios. Peak motor power is 783 kW, equating to 1050 HP, delivering a record-breaking 0-60 mph time of 2.39 seconds.
FF 91’s battery technology doesn’t sacrifice range for performance. Outfitted with a 130 kWh battery, FF 91 achieves a range of 378 miles (EPA est.) and over 700 km (NEDC est.) from the world’s highest energy density battery, engineered in partnership with LG Chem. Similarly, the system’s compact design enables more cabin space for greater comfort and safety. FF 91 also has the fastest charge speed currently available, with the ability to charge at more than 500 miles per hour. The home charger, included with the vehicle, achieves 50 percent to full charge in under 4.5 hours at 240V.
DESIGN WITHOUT BOUNDARIES, FIRST CLASS COMFORT
Exterior
FF 91’s design philosophy is driven by aerodynamics. The sleek, rounded front fascia and edgy, angular rear create a striking form that improves aerodynamic efficiency to increase range. The signature UFO line that runs around the mid-section of the vehicle provides FF 91 with a unique but simple, stabilizing design element. Similarly, the wide stance and long wheelbase deliver a spacious and luxurious interior environment.
FF 91’s gateway doors blend form and function by providing a stylish entry system with easier accessibility. Each door can open automatically and independently, allowing for quick and convenient passenger pick up. Sensors prevent the doors from opening too wide and making unwanted contact with the surrounding objects.
FF 91’s exterior lighting is focused on communication. The vehicle reimagines lighting systems by creating a deeper connection between car and driver. When users approach FF 91, the vehicle’s rocker panel illuminate with an owner confirmation sequence that brightens based on proximity – FF 91 recognizes and welcomes you.
The system uses intuitive patterns to communicate messages to its users like welcome sequences and charging states, as well as autonomous driving mode prompts. By design, the lighting system will improve safety by informing pedestrians and other drivers when FF 91 is driving autonomously.
Interior
Riding in FF 91, users will feel more rested and energized, even after being stuck in traffic for hours. The rear seats deliver industry-leading rear-seat reclining angles, putting passengers in the biomechanically and ergonomically optimal position for comfort. This first class rear seating experience provides lower leg, lumbar, and upper back adjustments and support. The seats also offer massage, heating, and ventilation for cooling.
FF 91’s panoramic roof includes smart dimming glass technology. The glass roof, rear and side windows all feature PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) glass, which is operated by users tapping on the glass, providing instant privacy and shade from the exterior environment.
NEXT-GENERATION CONNECTIVITY, SEAMLESS PERSONALIZATION
Through its strategic partnership with LeEco, a global Internet company that seamlessly blends devices, content, applications and distribution into a first-of-its kind ecosystem, FF 91 offers the ultimate in-car connectivity. FF EcoSystem integrates users’ digital lives into FF 91, giving access to the apps and content, while learning user’s preferences over time to create a smarter, more personalized experience.
Creating a FFID account establishes a global profile that travels with users through the FF EcoSystem and remembers personal preferences, such as seating positions, favorite music and movies, ideal temperatures, and driving style settings to ensure users have a consistent experience across the FF EcoSystem powered by multiple in-car modems.
FF is also introducing advanced facial recognition technology – called Arrival Interface – allowing drivers and passengers to unlock the car without a key. A camera installed in the B-pillar between front and back seats can accurately identify the user’s face to grant vehicle entry. Similarly, interior cameras use this technology to recognize users and automatically adjust interior settings to their preferences. FF 91 can not only recognize faces, but also facial expressions and moods it uses to auto-prompt an experience to match, using music, temperature, scent, content, massage and more. Users’ facial recognition data is saved natively and securely in the vehicle.
In addition to adjusting interior preferences via facial recognition or mobile device connectivity, FF 91 is the first car where you don’t need a key. The keyless welcoming system recognizes users as they approach the vehicle, greets users by opening the door and proactively adjusting to customized FFID settings inside. Similarly, the FFCTRL app allows users to customize and control their in-vehicle experience, get real time vehicle status reports, summon your vehicle, and more.
INTELLIGENT SAFETY
FF 91 will be the first production vehicle to feature retractable 3D lidar, a critical component to FF’s multi-layer redundancy features for autonomous driving. Lidar is part of a complex sensor system including 10 high definition cameras, 13 long and short range radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors. FF 91 possesses significantly more sensors compared to other vehicles, and industry-leading computing power to quickly extract data from all those sensors and correct driving decisions.
The standard rearview mirror has been replaced by a high definition display that merges the live feed from the side mirrors and rearview camera into a single, seamless image. The camera’s strategic placement provides a much better vantage point of what’s surrounding the vehicle, virtually eliminating blind spots. Combined with the views from the exterior mirror cameras, the overall system improves safety by creating a wider exterior field of vision from inside FF 91.
The Driverless Valet parking feature enables FF 91 to park itself after the driver has exited the vehicle. Powered by the FFCTRL app, drivers can also summon the vehicle from its parking spot or schedule a pick up at a desired time and location. Today, the system is capable of parking FF 91 in private parking lots and roads. As legislation advances to allow for public use of this technology, FF 91 will be able to park itself anywhere users go.
RESERVATIONS START NOW
FF will begin accepting reservations for FF 91 through the company’s newly redesigned website, FF.com.
The first 300 orders will have the opportunity to upgrade to an exclusive launch series, the Alliance Edition, in March 2017. A portion of the sales proceeds for each Alliance Edition sold will be donated towards an environmental fund which closely aligns with FF’s sustainability efforts. Additionally, the first unit of the FF 91 Alliance Edition will be auctioned at a gala in March. All proceeds from the first Alliance Edition’s auction will also be donated to the environmental fund.
The production of FF 91 is planned to start in 2018.
KEY SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
Specifications
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 2.39 seconds
Power: 1050 HP
Range: 378 miles (EPA est.) and over 700 km (NEDC est.)
Charging Speed: More than 500 miles per hour
ADAS Sensor Suite: 13 long and short range radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 10 high definition cameras, 1 3D retractable lidar
Length: 206.7”/ 5250mm
Wheelbase: 126″ / 3200mm
Width: 89.9″ / 2283mm
Height 62.9” / 1598mm
Features
Facial Recognition Technology
Driverless Valet Parking Feature: FF 91 can park itself
True Keyless Entry: first car where you don’t need a key
First class experience: NASA-inspired zero gravity seats offer industry leading rear seat reclining position
Best in class high-speed internet on the road
FFID: global user profile that travels with the user through the FF Ecosystem
ABOUT FARADAY FUTURE
Faraday Future is a user-centric, advanced mobility company with headquarters in Southern California. Our global team leverages the talents of leading thinkers and
passionate creators from the technology and automotive industries to bring premium, intuitive, and seamlessly connected electric vehicles to people worldwide.
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