Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Faraday Future’s 2017 vision of a 300+ mile range vehicle will charge into CES 2016

Miles Branman
By

faraday future teaser 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Fresh on the scene, newborn electric vehicle startup Faraday Future is gearing up to debut a concept the company says is inspired by its “design and engineering vision for the future of mobility” at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

Not much is known about the new automaker, mostly because it hasn’t been seeking out media attention — at least not yet. In just about a month’s time, though, the LA-based brand will debut an all-electric, autonomous concept meant to surpass Tesla’s technology and reach production in 2017. The concept itself isn’t destined for production, it’s just meant to give the world a taste of what Faraday’s been up to, taking shape as an aerodynamic sedan or a crossover with BMW X6-like proportions.

Recommended Videos

Among the new vehicle’s highlights is its battery, with 15 percent more capacity than Tesla’s 85kW unit and a range of at least 300 miles.

Related

Faraday Future has secured some high-level talent from direct rivals, including Nick Sampson, Dag Reckhorn, Alan Cherry, and Tom Wessner, all of whom were senior managers at Tesla. Just recently, Richard Kim joined as head of design. Kim designed the BMW i3 and i8 and now manages a team of designers hailing from BMW, Audi, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. By year’s end, the company expects to have around 500 employees.

At the LA Auto Show, Kim gave a preview of what’s to come from Faraday’s models. “We’re talking about consumer tech being more advanced. My thermostat at home knows exactly what I want. Why isn’t the car there yet? I want to touch on the simple things, the small things we can do as we wait for autonomous driving. What can we do now? I want to see a scenario where you sit in traffic for two hours, where you’re connected, there’s aromatherapy and a really nice chair in an ergonomic position. You can get a ton of work done, watch a movie. With time, you don’t just want to connect, you want to be able to disconnect and relax.” Sounds like a pretty good setup to me.

In terms of business growth, Kim compared Faraday’s approach to Uber’s, where customers would be able to sign up and lease different cars depending on specific needs. Speaking to Bloomberg, Sampson said that Faraday Future “will launch a single model and follow with a range of vehicles in a faster way than others have achieved. We’re looking at seven different vehicles.”

To get there, the startup is investing $1 billion in a new factory, backed in part by Chinese billionaire Jia Yueting. It is not known if the firm is also in league with companies like Apple, as previously rumored. There’s a lot on the table if Faraday Future can succeed in what it’s attempting, and certainly some big tech companies have their eye on the newcomer.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Miles Branman
Miles Branman
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…
Tesla Model S and Model X charge faster and go farther with the same battery
tesla increases model s and x range

An all-new drivetrain for the Tesla Model S and Model X enables the electronic vehicles to travel farther before recharging than the previous design. New-build Tesla Model S Long Range sedans have a 370-mile range and Model X Long Range SUVs can go 325 miles per EPA cycle, the standard Federal Test Procedure (FTP). The increased driving range comes with no change to the vehicles' 100 kWh battery pack. Tesla announced the changes on the company's blog.

Additional improvements for the Models S and X include faster charging and a better ride with an upgraded adaptive air suspension. Tesla also announced lower entry-level prices for both vehicles by bringing back the previously discontinued Standard Range versions.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?
Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Read more
The 6 best remote car starters in 2024
Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Read more