It looks like a Star Wars accelerator, but it’s the latest vehicle from Chinese electric vehicle startup Human Horizons.
The HiPhi Zmarketed as “digital GT”, is an unusual mix of sedan, crossover and sci-fi design cues, and is adorned with more LED lights than Times Square.
Human Horizons says it has the world’s first ISD Star-Ring surround light curtain, with 4066 individual LEDs on panels at the front, rear and sides.
They can display notifications to owners and passersby.
There’s a sleek fastback silhouette, though the trunk lid opens like that of a sedan.
There’s a hinged tailgate at the rear, along with 22-inch wheels, an active spoiler, and matrix LED headlights.
The interior is also futuristic, filled with ambient light – including on the steering wheel – and features a large central touchscreen that rotates.
The screen rotates itself toward the occupant to give commands, and there’s an unusual interactive block you can rotate on the screen and use to access various apps.
An AI companion called the HiPhi Bot can “automatically adapt every aspect of the driver and passenger experience.”
There is no instrument cluster, although there is a display on top.
The dashboard is upholstered in suede, while the seats are upholstered in Nappa leather with a pearl finish. There are individual bins in the back, next to a large dashboard.
Other surprising and exciting features include 14-way power front seats with massage function, crystal gear selector and 23-speaker Meridian sound system, while aromas are pumped into the cabin.
There’s a set of 32 sensors powering the HiPhi Z’s active safety and driver assistance features, including LiDAR, 13 cameras, 5 individual millimeter wave radars, and 12 sonar.
The HiPhi Z has a 120kWh battery and a claimed range of 705km on the more extensive NEDC cycle.
The company says it has Cell to Pack technology, which aims to increase power density.
While Human Horizons hasn’t announced power and torque yet, it claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.8 seconds.
China Car News says it will produce 447kW of power and 820Nm of torque in dual-engine all-wheel drive guise, with single-motor rear-wheel drive producing 224kW and 410Nm.
Underneath the futuristic sheet metal of the HiPhi Z is a pedestal with aluminum double wishbone front suspension, 5-link rear suspension and rear-wheel steering.
Features an air suspension with Continuous Damping Control.
The HiPhi Z will be introduced in metal at this week’s Shenzen motorcycle show, although the launch date won’t be revealed until the Chengdu motor show in August.
It will cost from the equivalent of $130,278 to $188,951.
“The vehicle itself looks, feels and drives like a car 20 years in the future, providing insight into the future of technology and human-like mobility,” the company said. ,” said the company, noting the smooth transition from last year’s concept to this year’s production cars.
Ding Lei, Founder, CEO and President of HiPhi, said: “Through rigorous testing and development, HiPhi Z has retained more than 95% of its manufacturing intent.
It’s the second reveal from the HiPhi brand after the X, marketed as an electric “super SUV” and featuring a Tesla Model X butterfly door but with a lower profile.
Human Horizons was founded in 2017 by former politician and former politician Ding Lei in the auto industry.
The company identifies itself as a new smart and mobility research company that claims to redefine human mobility by building intelligent transportation technologies and contributing to the development of A smart city.
Headquartered in Shanghai, the company launched the ‘HiPhi’ (pronounced Hi-Fi) brand of ‘premium intelligent all-electric’ vehicles in 2019.
The HiPhi brand is expanding rapidly and the company claims to have sold 4237 vehicles by 2021.
