EV News Round-up: Mercedes-Benz EQB, MG Cyberster Concept, Ford Mustang Hypercar, Hyundai i10 EV and Lotus

We are back with the top EV news from the last few days. This time around, we’ve got news on the Mercedes EQB all-electric SUV and its expected launch timeline. MG has released some digital images of a Cyberster concept, which is a sporty looking two-seater roadster with an all-electric powertrain. Further up the food chain, a design study suggests Ford might be interested in an all-electric hypercar under the Mustang nameplate. Hyundai has confirmed there will be no all-electric version of the i10 hatchback and British sports carmaker Lotus is looking forward to redefining the EV ownership experience. 

EQB To Join Mercedes’ EQ Lineup To Boost Sales

Slated to debut in 2021 along with the EQA, the EQB, as the nomenclature suggests, is the all-electric version of the GLB SUV. The GLB stole the spotlight when it was revealed thanks to its SUV-like proportions in contrast to its crossover lookalike rivals. Based on the GLB, it is likely to share its powertrain options with the EQA. This involves two electric motors on each axle with figures in the vicinity of 270PS and 500Nm along with a maximum range of 482km. On the downside, the EQB is likely to ditch its last row seats to make room for batteries.

There Will Be No EV Based On The Hyundai i10

Hyundai currently does not have any plans to plonk an EV powertrain in the Hyundai i10. According to a report, this comes from Van Nuffel, Head of Product Management and Pricing, Hyundai (Europe), who was quoted as saying, "Because our resources are not infinite and we are currently focusing on slightly larger models that can also be electrified competitive(ly)." That said, we still can’t rule out the possibility of a hybrid powertrain with the help of electric propulsion in the future. 

MG’s Cyberster Is A 2-Seater Roadster With An Electric Powertrain

MG has released some digital images of an all-electric two-seater roadster which it calls the Cyberster. It features a long hood with a short cabin and a stubby rear like other roadsters. Technical details are under wraps but we know it will get 5G connectivity and Level 3 autonomous driving features. The Cyberster looks promising from the images, and we hope to see it in the flesh at any of the upcoming auto shows. 

Are We Looking At An All-Electric Hypercar Under The Mustang Nameplate?

Apparently, Ford had asked automotive design students to come up with a proposal for an electric hypercar under the Mustang banner. But this won’t be Ford’s first outing with EVs under the Stang name as we already have the Mustang Mach-E SUV. But Ford might be onto something serious, and an all-electric limited production hypercar might be the car in question. The Ford GT is the fastest car from the carmaker now but that will change with the EV hypercar. The pictures you see here are of the vision 001 by Ankit Ukil, one of the students who participated in the design study.

Lotus, Centrica Look Forward to Revolutionizing EV Ownership

British lightweight sports carmaker Lotus and Centrica plc, the parent company of British Gas, are working together for a new model that integrates cars to homes. Once an old-school carmaker, Lotus is pushing for EVs and is already on track with its 2000PS electric hypercar Evija. With EVs being the future, both companies aim to integrate EV ownership by making the car an extension of the home, capable of storing energy and limiting emissions. Everything will be controlled by smart devices. Lotus is aiming to establish a new and efficient charging infrastructure with this plan. 

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