Let’s go: Sion virtual test drive I - February ‘21

(German / Version auf deutsch ist hier)

It will take until the second quarter for the new test drives to start again. The current corona situation does not allow any events. For me as the Community Advisory Board, there may be the opportunity to take a closer look at the prototype for you in advance: how does it feel, where are the changes to the first prototype, where are we on the way to series production. In the first step with an emphasis on “Fit and Finish”, in the second appointment maybe even with a real test drive. The question is - what are you interested in, what do you want to see? At the end of this page the comments are activated, write in what you want to know and I'll check it out for you! Here are the items that are already on the list, if something is missing, “write it in the comments”.

Exterieur

• Are the solar cells really as wavy as you can see in some pictures, will it stay that way?

• The plastic looks very dull depending on the light, can you see details?

• Are the distance beeps up front? The data sheet only says something about rear sensors Is there still a level surface in the trunk?

• How high is the tailgate from the floor? Is it easy to invite?

• Do the headrests have to be removed to get a flat surface, and if so - is it easy to do?

• Müssen die Kopfstützen entfernt werden um eine ebene Fläche zu erhalten, und wenn ja - ist das leicht möglich?

• Can a roof rack be fitted (“Thule”)? Can the vertical load of the towbar be increased to 75kg for bike transport (keyword "E-Bikes") How is the ground clearance?

• Can the tailgate be opened by remote control?

• How about the towing bar, is it alway visible or electric?

Interieur

• How is the legroom with the new center console for slightly taller people?

• I am quite small, can you see well?

• Measure the trunk with the rear seat folded down and without

• Where is the cell phone stored and can it be used while driving?

• Are the seats already standard?

• Is the infotainment display the final one? Looks different on the old renderings

• The steering wheel looks somehow very simple. Is it usable?

• How many ISOFIX brackets?

• Is there a three-point belt in the middle at the back?

• Can three narrow child seats be fitted?

• Where are the airbags and how many are there?

• Can the middle armrest be moved, it looks quite short?

• Does the Sion have an ashtray? And a cigarette lighter?

• Is there still a cover on the front center console?

• Can you expand the back seat to get even more loading space?

• Is the gear shift back to the steering wheel and how does it work?

• Is this the final screen?

Charging

• The loading flap looks huge (“ironing board”). Is that easy to handle?

• Are the connections protected against the weather?

• Is it being pushed away from the fast charging cable?

• Does the Schuko work?

• Does the Schuko still exist in the trunk?

• Is bidirectional charging already working?

• What do customers from Switzerland or the Netherlands who do not have a Schuko but rather local plugs

• Can you set the target SOC (e.g. 80%) in the Sono app?

• Can you design the flap so that only one slot remains open when loading? Maybe even as a mechanical lock for the Schuko?

• Can you see the live solar production? (Lightyear shows e.g. 200W)

• Bigger battery. And if it gets bigger, the charging power will be higher than 50kW.

• Is a charging cable included or do you have to buy it separately?

Technik - Sonstiges

• How many USB ports are there?

• How does the navigation work?

• How do you find charging stations?

• Is the important information in the infotainment easy to read, even for “older people”?

• Is voice control an alternative?

• If a front camera is added to meet the requirements of 2022 (lane keeping) - can it also be used as a dashcam? Or maybe even for a distance cruise control?

• Is there voice control of vehicle functions (i.e. beyond Android Auto and CarPlay)?

• Is there voice control for the navigation?

• Which bolt circle do the rims have? Which offset?

Organizational

• How far does the Sion have to go to series production?

• When does production start?

• When will the first Sion be handed over to customers?

• The first 5,000 were said to be “immortalized” in the car. In the 2019 campaign this was promised to everyone who paid more than € 8,000. Now there was a vote. What is it now?

• MORE BATTERY! 35 kWh is not enough! The high-voltage battery MUST get bigger. It's not 2018 anymore!

all product images (C) Sono Motors 2021.