Elle_Australia_Sep_2019

CONTINENTAL

ThisGermangiantis working

ona newtyrecompound

madefroma toughand

abundantRussiandandelion,

aimingtoreducethedemand

fornaturalrubberandthe

environmentalimpactfrom

traditionaltyremanufacturing.

JETCHARGE

Thelackofofficialgovernment

infrastructureandplanning

hasn’tstoppedthiselectric

chargingstationsupplierfrom

partneringwithshopping

centres,businesses,councils

andmoretocreateAustralia’s

biggestEVchargingnetwork.

CARLYANDCARBAR

Helpingrelievecardealership

overstockwhileinjectingmoney

intotheindustryandaddressing

anincreasedneedforflexible

carownership(minusallthe

paperwork,insurancecosts

andmaintenance),these

car subscription services

offer a smart alternative to

owning a car.

space

incoming hydrogen fuel cell car, the

Nexo. Or how, for every new material

created for its emissions-free line-up, the

company enlists robots to repetitively

rub, spray and swab sunscreens,

perfumes, moisturisers and hand sanitisers

to ensure real-world endurance. But the

most important point about the Kona

Electric is how it completely normalises

the segment by being exactly what you

want in a coolly styled, road trip-ready

small SUV just like its petrol-powered

Kona sibling, only guilt-free.

***

THE

WINNING

EDGE

The price might be up there, but with

a range that is more than 25 times the

average commute, scheduled charging

that can be set to meet off-peak electricity

prices and a compelling package of

top-tier equipment as standard,

compared to cheaper SUVs in its

category, the Kona EV might even save

you money before the warranty is up.

189

“THE KONA

NORMALISES

the SEGMENT BY

BEING EXACTLY

WHAT you WANT

in a COOLLY

STYLED SUV”

the

ART PRIZE

PEUGEOT E-LEGEND

A MODERN HOMAGE to the Peugeot

504 Coupé from the late ’60s, the

e-Legend concept might be the most

beautiful EV ever created, not to mention

the most artfully indulgent. The silver

exterior changes in the light from chrome

to champagne to a pale bronze

• a technique borrowed from an
  undisclosed perfume bottle. The plush
  cerulean velour-like interior is digitally
  woven and designed to warmly
  counterbalance the cold exterior. The
  cabin is scented with a bespoke
  fragrance for sensory ambience. And
  the ethically sourced paldao wood
  panelling is a throwback to the furniture
  of the ’60s and is crafted by rising
  French retro-future furniture designers
  and Daft Punk collaborators Hervet
  Manufacturier. The concept aims to give
  us a glimpse into what the world’s oldest
  continuous car brand has planned in the
  next few years – including autonomous
  driving technology, a highly stylised
  digital cockpit and an AI assistant that
  actually responds in the dulcet tones of
  Peugeot design director Gilles Vidal’s
  voice (in 17 languages). This is the level
  of detail, immersion and sentiment that
  happens when car designers get their
  way. Especially French ones.

***

THE

WINNING

EDGE

The e-Legend may not be available to

buy, but it proves the EVs of the future can

still be emotional, elegant, nostalgic and

sculptural works of magnificence. E

HIGHLY COMMENDED ALLIES

Concept only

with the Ioniq, Kona EV and 340kW/800Nm