‘08 Geneva: Think Grows Up With All-Electric Ox Concept

We’ll admit it - we hadn’t heard much about Norwegian EV-maker Think since its quagmire as a Ford-owned brand, but we were somewhat surprised to find the automaker’s presence (albeit in an outdoor tent) at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Although the company continues to refine and manufacture the plastic-bodied City electric car, the big news at the show was the premiere of the company’s five-door Ox concept.

Looking like a cross between the late Smart ForFour and a (new) Mitsubishi Colt, the Ox carries a sense of style that - admittedly - was absent from the Think range. While the City makes extensive use of low-cost colored plastics both inside and out, the Ox concept carries a level of sophistication that’s unusual for a Think product. Yes, we know it is a concept, but the tri-toned interior, complete with seating for five, looks attractive and feels remarkably comfortable for what is, at this time, a flight of fancy. Passengers won’t be devoid of technology, either; Think intends for the Ox to be fully connected to the world with an advanced on-board computer and use hands-free keys to open, start, and personalize the vehicle from a ways away.

(Click through for a gallery on the Ox, as well as more on Think’s five-passenger concept car)

But as it is with most Thinks, the most important details lie underneath. Riding on a new modular platform designed for a larger vehicle, the Ox remains a pure electric vehicle in an era obsessed with fuel cells and plug-in hybrids. Motive power stems from a 60-kilowatt motor (100-kilowatts are available for ‘passing bursts’), allowing the car to reach 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and a top-end of 84 mph. Although the Ox is designed to make use of both low-cost, high-range sodium cell batteries, as well as the vaulted lithium-ion packs. Think won’t say what cells were used to make the estimation, but will say they estimate the Ox could have a 124-mile range in combined city and highway drive cycles.

Although showgoers will see the Ox as a micro-MPV, Think’s designed the concept’s platform to allow for a variety of configurations, including a two-door coupe. Think envisions marketing the Ox in a “sport” configuration, as well as a livery vehicle for taxi service, but the most interesting news stems from the fact that it was designed to meet both European and U.S. vehicle standards. Could this be a sign that Think’s thinking of returning to our shores? Only time will tell.

THINK RELEASE

TH!NK Ox - A platform vehicle
TH!NK Ox is a modular platform concept, designed for electric drive vehicles, for both the European, North American and Asian markets. It is the basis for a variety of vehicle styles, starting with the TH!NK Ox Crossover 5-seater. This is possible due to a space frame concept featuring the main crash structure and the batteries centrally placed in two compartments in the lower frame.

The TH!NK Ox picture gallery shows an MPV version and a coupé version. The MPV version is suggested as a taxi with a larger luggage space. The MPV version is designed for easy entry and exit, and a spacious and easy access luggage trunk. The coupé and sports versions have a larger battery capacity for higher performance.

The TH!NK Ox Platform design allows two different standards of battery packs;
- High stack: two compartments, allows use of low cost, high range sodium batteries
- Low stack: gives space for flat Li Ion packs, allows lower/upper frame for sports car and flat flow applications

Scandinavian and clean design Think’s sustainable Scandinavian design has formed the basis for this truly innovative clean car.

TH!NK Ox is distinguished by the TH!NK product family design characteristics. It mimics the clean choice of materials from the TH!NK city, with a prizewinning, unpainted and recyclable exterior and a 95% recyclable interior material concept, made possible through the ABS and PP interior systems. A solar panel in the roof keeps the vehicle’s interior cool when the engine is switched off, or can even supply enough power to run the sound system on the beach.

Think electric drive The base model of the TH!NK Ox will have a 60kW electrical powertrain, capable of accelerating to 100km/hr in less than 8.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 130km/hr. The vehicle will be powered by a choice of either sodium batteries or state-of-the art lithium technology battery packs, allowing optimal adaption to the type of use and geographic region. The lithium-ion batteries will employ a next generation nano-phosphate electrochemistry with an unprecedented combination of power capability, energy density, and safety.

The TH!NK Ox driving range is targeted at 200km for combined highway and city summer driving (US06 driving cycle). For city driving, the TH!NK Ox will be able to travel even further on a full charge, to over 250km. The platform concept also forsees a sports version with a higher top speed and a range extended to up to 450km, a range also relevant for the taxi version.

Easy charging Charging the TH!NK Ox from zero to a fully charged state from a standard 230V/16A European outlet, will take approximately 12 hours using the on-board charger. The Lion batteries can be charged to 80% capacity in less than an hour with a high power off-board fast charger.

As with all TH!NK vehicles, TH!NK Ox can be charged at any normal power point.

TH!NK Ox expressive front grille houses the charging point at a comfortable height, with a pull out cable that fits any normal appliance socket.

Think design
With five seats and an emphasis on interior space and comfort, this vehicle is setting the standard for future EVs. TH!NK Ox combines Scandinavian design and functionality with TH!NK’s unique lines. It is both spacious and sophisticated. The space frame cant rail is a visible styling part, running from the front to the rear wheel arch. An upright tailgate emphasises the distinct TH!NK outline and creates valuable luggage space.

The side indicator lights, prominently placed on the wheel arches, add an innovative look to exemplary functionality. The contrast between the plastic body and the aluminium exterior details such as mirrors, grille and handles, creates a truly different and innovative feel.

The TH!NK Ox interior is designed to give the driver a feeling of openness and comfort. With its large glass surfaces, TH!NK Ox provides a clear view of the traffic. The transparent tailgates allow high visibility for easy city parking. Light materials and clean simple shapes, combined with your own choices of colours and graphic design give you the option to personalise your vehicle. Inbuilt computer screens display all mandatory information as in a standard instrument cluster, plus a variety of interesting and useful functions related to driving, leisure and working.

DNA key-less entry
TH!NK Ox has a key-less entry fob setting that stores and displays the personal choices of the user. When entering the vehicle, your personal desktop, music and for example, e-mails are displayed. Seating position, mirrors and steering wheel are automatically adjusted to suit the user. The DNA-key gives the user feedback on charging status and sends messages, for example, for pre-heat or pre-cool options via GPRS.

The connected car
TH!NK Ox is highly connected, featuring real time navigation, web, e-mail and open source interfaces, intelligent and sustainable driving and route calculations. TH!NK Ox features the TH!NK connectivity platform to enable drivers and passengers to stay tuned at all times. The system also keeps track of the battery performance and allows remote diagnostics at all times.

Always connected
The TH!NK connectivity platform will be built on a fully functional computer. The system will be capable of bringing the power and experience of rich Internet applications into the car, enabling the creation of a whole new genre of smart applications. The combination of GPS and constant Internet connection provides an incredible platform for location-based search, and location-based services adapted to the vehicle.

Location-based services
Drivers will not have to waste energy or time hunting for a parking space: the system will display available parking spaces at the destination, or along the route, provide guidance to a free space, identify and choose a suitable space and even pre-reserve a suitable space for them.

“Clean tech” location-based services will help drivers locate critical services such as charging stations or standard electric outlets where the TH!NK Ox can recharge. We envisage these “public” outlets as being provided by employers, municipalities, shopping centres and universities.

Assessing both the car and the driver
TH!NK connectivity may also give drivers feedback on their driving behaviour and guidance on optimising energy usage by providing real time energy consumption information while driving. In real time, the navigation system will graphically display how far the car can go one-way, given the current battery charge level, how far the car can go round trip, and how much battery charging time is required to reach a specific destination. Additional examples of EV integration will include smart energy usage, giving the user the ability to remotely request that the vehicle be pre-heated or pre-cooled while still plugged into a power outlet, via the Internet or a mobile phone.

Green power management solutions
In conjunction with selected utility partners, the system will enable “demand side management” by charging during off-peak times, or allowing the utility the option to modulate charging during peak hours. This way, the vehicle will charge during the least expensive, lowest-demand and “cleanest power” time periods, reducing the strain on the electricity power network. The system will also enable vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications, enabling the “time shifting” of electrical power, energy and carbon credit markets and new “green power” initiatives.

Infotainment and telematics solutions
The telematics system will include an integrated dual audio amplifier with spatial expansion to enhance the space inside the car. Audio and video player applications will provide the entertainment options that drivers and passengers expect from modern cars.
A help button with GSM voice respond will enable drivers to reach the TH!NK Service Desk for assistance. Both on-board and off-board computer systems will monitor critical car functions and will notify the driver, the owner and the service stations of any abnormalities.

Specifications
Dimensions
Length: 4120mm
Width: 1814mm (without mirrors)
Height: 1650mm
Wheel base: 2775mm
Track: 1500mm
Tires: 225/35 ZR 19
CD: 0.2 – 0.34
Frontal area: 2.43m²
Turning diameter: 12m
Vehicle description
5 seater
5 doors
front wheel drive system
full electric powertrain
safety standards of US and EU markets
McPherson front axle and trailing arm rear axle
Performance
vmax: 135km/h
range: 200km
acceleration (0-100km/hr): 8.5 sec
Battery
battery packs: option of sodium batteries and state of the art Lithium Ion
drive power, nominal: 60kW (boost for acceleration: 1ookW)
Weight
battery weight: 350kg
total vehicle weight: 1500kg
gross vehicle weight rating: 1850kg
Powertrain
motor: water cooled permanent magnet synchronous-motor (low weight and package space)
power, nominal: 60kW (boost for acceleration: 1ookW)
propulsion: front wheel drive system
energy return: recuperation and solar roof panel
Platform strategy
first platform for full electric power train application
aluminium space frame
5 star crash rating
multi variable frame concepts