Engineering:Sion (electric car)

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Sion
Overview
ManufacturerSono Motors
Productionexp. start in 2019
Body and chassis
ClassElectric car (B)
Body style5-door hatchback
Layoutrear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Electric motor80 kW (109 Hp)
TransmissionSingle gear
Batterylithium-ion battery
Electric range250 km (160 mi)
Dimensions
Length4.11 m (162 in)
Width1.79 m (70 in)
Height1.68 m (66 in)
|uk|Kerb|Curb}} weight1,400 kg (3,086 lb)

Sion is an announced full electric car of the German start-up Sono Motors. Its battery can be charged using the electric grid or its own solar cells.[1]

History

The founders of Sono Motors have been working on the realization of the Sion since 2012.[2] In 2016 and 2017, several Crowdfunding campaigns were used to collect more than 2 million Euro for implementation.[3][4][5]

In July 2016 computer graphics of the vehicle were presented.[6]

Since August 2017, there are two functional prototypes built by Roding Automobile, whose form and function are already to be largely similar to the end product.[7] Design, equipment and processing will be further optimized until final delivery. The experience gained during the test drives in 12 European cities (August 2017 to October 2017) is part of the further development.

In autumn 2017, according to Sono, the series development began in cooperation with various partners. The Crashtest or Homologation is to take place in 2018, aiming for the 4* NCAP safety standard.[8] The series production and delivery of the Sion is to start in the middle of 2019.[9]

In 2017, several medium-sized investors have joined Sono Motors, including the founder of the german energy service provider Juwi and the Böllinger Group.[10]

On May 9, 2018, Sono Motors announces the award of a major contract for the development and manufacture of a battery system for its solar vehicle to the German automotive supplier ElringKlinger. The total volume amounts to several hundred million euros over a term of eight years.[11]

On June 6, 2018, Sono Motors announced in a press release that the Sion is to be equipped with LED headlamps that were previously unusual for this price category. Automotive Solutions Germany GmbH (ASG) is to be the supplier for this.[12]

According to a press release from Sono Motors, on June 14, 2018 the minimum number of 5,000 reservations for Sion was reached.[13]

Specifications

The Sion is a purely electrically driven car, which can be charged by a Type2- / CCS- charging interface as well as by its own photovoltaic modules integrated into the cars' outer skin.

Drive

The drive will be a three-phase asynchronous motor with a power of 80 kW (109 Hp). The motor voltage is 400 V. With the rear wheel drive, a top speed of 140 km/h should be possible.[14]

Solar cells (viSono)

Side view of the black prototype on 13.10.2017

The roof, bonnet and large parts of the outer shell of the body are equipped with highly efficient monocrystalline silicon cells (especially efficient in diffuse light, they should still load by 100% of their potential capacity at angles of incidence down to 70°) which are protected by a layer of polycarbonate. The startup uses the product name viSono. The total area of the 330 photovoltaic modules is 7.5 m2 with an announced efficiency of 24%. The maximum total power output is 1208 Wp, which means that the daily range gained in Central Europe is at a maximum of 30 km a day under favorable conditions (sunshine) and on average over a whole year about 10 km a day.[15]

Features

Sono Motors pursues a one-product strategy, i.e. the car is expected to be produced only in one equipment variant.

The Sion has room for 5 passengers. The seats offer 45 cm of shoulder freedom and are all foldable. The drivers' seat is adjustable in height and position. The outer color will be black. The luggage compartment has a standard capacity of 650 l and can be increased to a total of 1250 l by turning over the rear seats. In the interior, a natural filter made of moss regulates the humidity and filters fine dust (breSono). Front and rear airbags can be deactivated, so that child seats can be used. The electric handbrake is integrated into the center console. A trailer coupling for trailers up to 750 kg will be available as an option.

The Sion will be equipped with ABS, an alarm system, driver and passenger (deactivatable) airbags, side airbags with head and chest protection at the front as well as ESP with drive slip control.[14] A reversing camera, cruise control and heated front seats will be included.[8]

Interior of the prototype, 26.08.2017

Current storage (biSono)

The bidirectional charging system will enable the charging of other electric vehicles (11 kW) via a further Type2 socket, as well as the charging of standard household appliances (2.7 kW / 230 V) at the Sion via a Schuko socket.[15]

Criticism

In several electromobility forums, criticism was voiced, according to which the announcements of the start-up to the vehicle were unrealistically ambitious. In the prototype vehicles, individual observers recognized parts of the interior, chassis and drive of the BMW i3 with a concealed or removed BMW trademark. This questioned the creation height of the prototype and made the announcements appear doubtful.[16] [17]

On September 14, 2017, Sono Motors responded to this criticism in social networks and forums.[18][19]

Battery and range

A water-cooled Li-Ion battery (LiMn2O4) with a capacity of 35-45 kWh and a weight of approx. 250 kg is to be used as the Sion's power storage. Because of the current rapid advances in battery technology, the final battery choice has been deferred until later in the development process.[15]

The Sion will be delivered with a CCS connector system with an integrated Type 2 connector. The type 2 charging cable is expected to be available at an extra charge. The built-in charger is designed to charge the battery with 3.7 kW to 22 kW of power (AC) for Mode2 and Mode3 charging according to IEC 62196. For DC charging to CCS, 50 kW charging capacity is indicated.

The Sion is to have a range of 320 km (NEFZ), which corresponds to approximately 250 km under realistic driving conditions.

Workshop ("reSono")

The workshop manual for the Sion, including CAD data of all spare parts for 3D printers or CNC Milling, will be publicly available (license-free) with the delivery of the first models so that future repair costs may be expected to be reasonable.[14] With additional explanatory videos and a catalog of instructions on the site, it should be possible to install spare parts in the vehicle either independently of a workshop or by a workshop with limited experience of the Sion.[20]

Sharing ("goSono")

On request, the owner of the vehicle is able to use his / her mobile phone app to offer other people electric power (power-sharing), a ride-way (ridesharing) or to rent out his car (car-sharing).[21]

Reservation and order

Currently, the vehicle can be reserved on the Sono Motors website for a deposit.[22] A contract of sale for the Sion will be offered to these prospective customers in 2019. There is a two-week right of revocation and rescission.[23] The delivery will take place free of charge only to Bremerhaven (Germany), at an extra charge also to a desired place.

Prices

The Sion will cost 16,000 euros in its standard configuration without a battery. By the use of older – and thus no longer legally protected – components of traditional car manufacturers this low price compared to other electric cars is possible.[24] The drive train as well as the battery are provided by Automotive suppliers.

The production of the vehicle will be carried out by an as yet unnamed contractor in Europe.[25]

The battery will be offered either at a monthly amount (rent or lease) or for purchase. The one-time purchase price of the battery is projected by Sono Motors to be less than 4,000 euros.[26]

Warranty

The legal provisions in Europe apply to the warranty. In addition, Sono Motors provides a guarantee for the Sion of either two years or 100,000 km.[23]

External links

References

  1. "First look at working prototypes of Sono Motors’ solar and battery-powered electric car". electrek. 2017-10-23. https://electrek.co/2017/10/23/sono-motors-solar-battery-powered-electric-car-working-prototypes/. Retrieved 2017-11-01. 
  2. "Sono Motors" (in German). 2016-08-11. http://www.cleanelectric.de/sono-motors/. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  3. Indiegogo. "Sion. A Solarcar for everyone" (in English). Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923104515/https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sion-a-solarcar-for-everyone-car-solar#/updates/all. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  4. Wiwin. "Unternehmensfinanzierung im Bereich Elektromobilität" (in German). https://www.wiwin.de/produkt/sono-motors-i2017. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  5. Seedrs. "Develop, build & market an electric vehicle with novel drive, mobility and charging technologies" (in English). https://www.seedrs.com/sono-motors. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  6. Elektroauto-News.net (2016-08-03). "Sono Motors präsentiert Sion - ein Solarauto für Jedermann" (in German). https://www.elektroauto-news.net/elektroautos/sono-motors-praesentiert-sion-ein-solarauto-fuer-jedermann. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  7. Roding Automobile. "Sono Motors präsentiert Funktionsprototypen des SION" (in German). Archived from the original on 2017-10-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20171017151113/http://www.roding-automobile.de/service/news/newsmeldung/article/sono-motors-praesentiert-funktionsprototypen-des-sion.html. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 Sono Motors (2017-11-10). "Produkt-Update durch Sono Motors" (in German). facebook.com. https://m.facebook.com/sonomotors/photos/a.306946649502287.1073741828.306536122876673/667928873404061. Retrieved 2017-11-19. 
  9. Ingenieurversteher. "Sono Motors definiert mit dem Sion die urbane Mobilität neu" (in German). https://ingenieurversteher.de/2017/09/15/sono-motors-definiert-mit-dem-sion-die-urbane-mobilitaet-neu-interview-2/. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  10. gruenderszene.de. "So fährt sich das Solarauto von Sono Motors" (in German). http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/sion-sono-motors-testfahrt. Retrieved 2017-10-18. 
  11. ecomento.de. "Sono Sion: Batterie-Großauftrag geht an ElringKlinger – ecomento.de" (in German). https://ecomento.de/2018/05/09/sono-motors-vergibt-batterie-grossauftrag-an-elringklinger/. Retrieved 2018-05-09. 
  12. elektroauto-news.net. "Sono Motors setzt beim Solarauto Sion auf neue LED-Scheinwerfer-Technologie" (in German). https://www.elektroauto-news.net/2018/sono-motors-solarauto-sion-neue-led-scheinwerfer-technologie. Retrieved 2018-06-06. 
  13. presseportal.de. "Über ein Jahr vor Produktionsstart verbucht Sono Motors bereits mehr als 5.000 Reservierungen" (in German). https://www.presseportal.de/pm/127439/3970318. Retrieved 2018-06-14. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Sono Motors. "Factsheet" (in English). https://sonomotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Facts_Short_ENG.pdf. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Sono Motors. "Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)" (in English). https://sonomotors.com/frequently-asked-questions.html/. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  16. Forum of Tesla-Drivers. "Discussion (Thread closed)" (in German). https://tff-forum.de/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=12647&start=280. 
  17. goingelectric. "Diskussion um COP-Teile (Thread closed)" (in German). https://www.goingelectric.de/forum/prototypen-studien/sono-motors-crowdfinanzierte-elektroautos-aus-deutschland-t18042-70.html. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  18. Sono Motors (2017-09-14). "Richtigstellung von Falschaussagen" (in German). e-motion.live. http://e-motion.live/2017/09/14/richtigstellung-www-sonomotors-com/. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  19. Sono Motors (2017-09-14). "Richtigstellung von Falschaussagen" (in German). facebook.com. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=347768622331316&id=100012945435536. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  20. Sono Motors. "reSono" (in English). https://sonomotors.com/sion.html#st-sono-repair. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  21. Sono Motors. "goSono" (in English). https://sonomotors.com/gosono.html/. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  22. Sono Motors. "Preorder the Sion" (in English). https://sonomotors.com/preorder-main.html/. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  23. 23.0 23.1 "Standard Form Contract" (in English). https://sonomotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SonoMotors_AGB_ENG.pdf. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  24. Manager-Magazin. "Kräftiger Antritt, kleine Macken - so fährt das Billig-Solarauto" (in German). http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/autoindustrie/elektroauto-sono-motors-sion-erste-testfahrt-im-solarwagen-prototyp-a-1172141.html. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  25. Electrive. "Sono Motors will Sion bei Auftragsfertiger produzieren" (in German). https://www.electrive.net/2017/07/27/sono-motors-will-sion-bei-auftragsfertiger-produzieren/. Retrieved 2017-10-17. 
  26. Sono Motors. "Sion - Infinite Mobility" (in English). https://sonomotors.com/sion.html/. Retrieved 2017-10-17.