Automobile industry is hitching towards green cars, and many major players are investing billion dollars on electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles development projects. The increasing demand for the fuel efficient cars and government’s raising standards of lower emissions have compelled automakers to focus on green technology and strengthen their eco-friendly product line-up. Though the green vehicle industry in India is in its initial phase, global players have been selling eco-friendly cars for quite a long time now.
Carmakers like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki, too, have started working on the green technology. The Indian government, to encourage electric and hybrid vehicles in the country, has allocated a budget. The govt has also launched FAME-India scheme to appeal people to buy green cars. This move will surely boost confidence in both automakers and buyers to take eco-friendly cars seriously.
Carmakers around the world are showcasing their new green car concepts at different auto shows, and the recently concluded Geneva Motor Show too had a handful of such vehicles. One such vehicle was the MILA Plus, revealed by Magna – an Austrian automotive supplier and assembler. The Magna MILA Plus, designed under the company’s MILA innovation and technology brand, is a plug-in hybrid two-seater sports car. The MILA stands for Magna Innovation Lightweight Auto. The concept vehicle combines the lightweight construction, advanced technologies and eco-friendly hybrid drive solution.
The plastic body panels of the car not only save weight, but protect against the corrosion and provide styling flexibility as well. The interior, too, uses renewable materials such as bioplastics and natural fibers panel components. The high-voltage battery is integrated in a frame that improves its structural rigidity. The modular body-in-white (BIW) concept, uses components from large series production, enhanced the company’s manufacturing flexibility and efficiency.
The concept has sophisticated bonding technologies that is also used on vehicles like Aston Martin Rapide and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The MILA Plus features two cameras instead exterior mirrors that improve the aerodynamics and reduce blind spots to its sides by wide-angle, high-resolution live streaming on two displays inside the car.
The Magna MILA Plus derives its power from a 3-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors, for transmitting power to all four wheels. It churns out a combined power of 268bhp and torque of 580Nm with a lower CO2 emission of 32g/km. The concept vehicle is claimed to accelerate 0-100kmph in 4.9 seconds. It delivers 47miles of electric range. The MILA Plus concept looks stunning with flowing body creases, compact, aerodynamic and innovative design. It measures 4403mm in length, 1925mm in width and 1250mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2575mm.
