When GM showed off the second generation EN-V Concept — Electric Networked-Vehicle — at the Beijing Auto Show last week, we weren’t surprised to see evolutionary improvements to the automaker’s vision for the future of personal transportation. For the uninitiated, the upgrades to the electric Chevy-branded bubble consist of in-vehicle climate control, storage areas for belongings, and the ability to drive in all weather conditions and city roads. But if you didn’t attend the show, you didn’t see this little-bubble-of-the-future in motion.
Watch this video for some presentation highlights featuring President and Managing Director of GM China Group, Kevin Wale, as he introduces the EN-V 2.0. If you wait until the 1:00 mark, you’ll see some very impressive maneuvering action alongside some real-world driving:
GM is set to roll out prototype models of the EN-V 2.0 for pilot studies throughout China in the near future. The vehicle promises all kinds of technological wizardry, including wireless communication that enables a social network that has the ability to be used by drivers and passengers to communicate while on the go. Here’s more from Mr. Wale himself.
“We’re very excited about EN-V 2.0 concept, which embodies the essence of its predecessor but was evolved into a more practical design for real-life use. The combination of sensing technology, wireless communication and GPS-based navigation establishes a technology foundation, pieces of which could potentially lead the way to the creation of future advanced vehicle systems.”
The GM Authority Take
The two-seater still seems like a long ways off from being available at your local Chevy dealer, even if you do live in a congested urban environment… but it’s never a bad idea to at least think of — and plan for — the future. And with “corners like it’s on rails” qualities like these, we have to ask… what are the wheelbase and track measurements of this thing?
Comments
how fast can this thing go lol?
This will need to be redesigned before long. Even people in cities need a place to put the groceries. The rear has sort of a convex shape to it. I think it needs to extend out to form a small trunk. Won’t be long before there is that and a small rear seat for a child, then it will simply be an electric Spark. I have to think that anyone not interested in transporting people or cargo would really be looking for sport, which this isn’t, else public transportation makes sense.
The idea would go that this would be used in cities solely as human transport. Grocery getting wouldn’t factor into its operation as the human mean of getting groceries would be from a source much, much closer to where the owner lives.
But what happens when you get hit by a semi?
The EN-V is meant for congested city environments where a semi (or anything half its size) wouldn’t be able (or allowed) to get through.
Actually, it looks like fun. When it’s ready, I wouldn’t mind seeing them in busy cities like New York, LA, or Chigaco. Even GM’s hometown Detroit could benefit.