BeyonCa, a new startup headquartered in China with a design center in Germany and an AI development hub in Singapore, that’s headed by former VW China boss and current Renault China CEO, Soh Weiming, unveiled its very first concept this weekend. With features that go beyond what is expected of other vehicles, the company hopes to “set the standard for a super-premium EV.”
“The BeyonCa GT Opus 1 truly signifies what BeyonCa stands for, as we set out to define the super-premium smart EV segment,” said Weiming Soh, founder and Chairman of BeyonCa. “The result of our team’s work is the perfect combination of design, craftsmanship, comfort, sportiness, and an amazing experience.”
The car, designed by former Škoda and Bentley design head Dirk van Braeckel, will have a number of intriguing features. For instance, sensors in the car will monitor a driver’s blood pressure and can trigger an alarm if a medical emergency happens.
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If that happens, the car is designed to slow down and stop in an emergency lane, according to Autocar. It will then access a doctor who is able to observe the driver and give them advice on what steps to take next through the infotainment system. It’s just one of the many “smart” features that the company thinks are hugely important, according to Soh, who is also the head of Renault China.
“The ‘smart’ part is incredibly important in defining the super-premium EV space. Our philosophy is that technologies are here to serve a purpose, but should not be the purpose itself,” said Soh. “Rather, we will consolidate and integrate advanced technologies, and shift from function-driven to scenario-driven methodology. BeyonCa will offer users meaningful products with integrated super-premium user experience where users will enjoy the real value of services in the car, around the car, and beyond the car.”
In addition, the company promises that its vehicles will have access to a high degree of automation. An autonomous driving function will help park the car, for instance, according to Reuters.
The production version of the Gran Turismo Opus 1 will be based on a 130 kWh battery pack and will feature 800v architecture for fast charging speeds. It will have both cell to pack and cell to chassis construction.
The company is backed by Renault and Dongfeng Motor and production of the GT Opus 1 is expected to start in 2023 with deliveries commencing the following year. The price is estimated to be set at around RMB 1 million ($136,931 USD at current exchange rates). The production version of the car will make its debut at the 2023 Shanghai motor show.
