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Now it has taken another step along the automotive road by building a complete car, the Mila concept.
The all-electric Mila was unveiled at the recent Geneva Motor Show, showcasing a fully integrated electric platform that the company says can be used by every carmaker.
Apart from an all-electric version, the Mila can also accommodate natural gas, fuel cells or hybrid drive systems.
Magna Steyr expects to be able to provide the complete technology to a carmaker, direct from a concept to a full-blow series production model.
The idea is that it provides all the underpinnings and a car company can assembles the car’s outer body to suit its own design requirements.
The concept is a 4m long five-door hatch and sits on a 2500mm wheelbase.
Visually it does not deviate too far from a hatch design with a few extra curves.
What is different is the side profile detailing.
There is a strong connecting line between headlights and side windows, which lends the vehicle a futuristic and elegant look.
Unusually, the lateral running sensor strip is a design element, door opener and “fuel gauge” which shows, clearly visibly, the level of battery charge left in the car.
Additionally, the integrated door opener is activated by an electronic key.
Like the Toyota Prius, the Mila uses solar cells integrated in the glass roof for extra energy generation.
The usually large rear view mirrors of conventional cars have been replaced by aerodynamic reverse-view cameras.
Magna Steyr designed the car’s lithium ion battery module with built-in software for load balancing and power control. A series of modules can be combined into the battery pack to work seamlessly together, providing power for the car.
The Mila is driven by a 50kW electric motor.
The car takes about 2.5 hours to recharge and has a range of up to 150km.
The Mila can be built using Magna Steyr’s “Flex Plant” concept, which allows different production volumes without added cost or complexity.
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