Porsche has unveiled its radical E Cross Turismo concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Billed as a CUV, or Cross Utility Vehicle, the all-electric design study is heavily influenced by the current Panamera Sport Turismo and showcases the brand’s pure EV credentials. There’s no official word on production, but rumours suggest a version of the E Cross could be in showrooms as early as 2020.
Underpinning this electric drivetrain is a lithium ion battery that forms part of a powerful 800 Volt electrical system. Porsche claim the car can go 400 kilometres between charges, but crucially the cells can be replenished in just 15 minutes using a fast charger. The E Cross Turismo has also been developed to take advantage of proposed induction charging methods, where cables buried in the road surface allow the battery to be topped up on the move.
Given its ‘lifestyle’ brief, it’s no surprise to find the suspension has been tuned to deliver a dash of off-road ability, with the standard air suspension able to be jacked up by 50mm for extra ground clearance. On the road, the E Cross benefits from Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), which aims to eliminate body roll for more secure handling. The concept features 20-inch wheels with relatively modest 275 section tyres.
As you’d expect, the E Cross’s cabin is packed with technology. The most interesting addition is the TFT instrument display that’s linked to an eye-tracking camera. This set-up can detect which dial the driver is looking at and bring it to the foreground while minimizing the other instruments. There are also touch sensitive controls on the centre console and steering wheel. The passenger isn’t left out either, as the screens stretch the full width of dashboard and give access to the car’s telephone, climate control and navigation functions.
Despite being a strict four-seater, the E Cross has been configured to be remarkably practical. Each of the rear seats features a load through function, plus they can be folded completely flat. The boot floor also features a system of sliding rails and straps for securing loads, such as pushbikes or surfboards.
The rugged approach continues on the outside, where a heavily Panamera-inspired body is augmented with tough-looking plastic extensions for sills and wheelarches, while the blue-finished 20-inch alloys are covered in surprisingly chunky looking tyres. Elsewhere, the E Cross features the same matrix LED headlamps that features the firm’s X-Sight enhanced main beam function.
This article originally appeared at evo.co.uk
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