Have a nice Sunday! I hope not too much has been broken at your homes during the storm in Europe. Winter is leaving, we’ll get over this. Here are the unofficial small news of last week:

+++ 1.526 components +++

The Sion consists of 1.526 components. One of them could be seen on Youtube Live. Actually there are much more parts if you count every screw, but this gives you a good overview - and on Twitter you can see the first pictures of these components.

https://twitter.com/SonoMotors/status/1493238062314369028

+++ SPRINT REPORT +++

We are all waiting for pictures of the car. Until then the sprint reports are the direct line to the development. What it says (excerpt):

• Infotainment has all components for SVC3 in "Approval" or "In Approval" state. This sounds good, but you have to know what the different states are. Frozen, Released, Approved? Until the next time I will clarify this, "Approved" sounds not bad, that’s the good part.

• "Towing: ongoing investigation of upgraded transmission and lifetime study". Heavy carrying is hard on the joints. And that's how it is with towing trailers - it's hard on the transmission, and it's supposed to last anyway.

• "Unsourced SSCM holding up I/P, shroud, steering wheel and driver airbag". The missing SCCM (Steering Column Control Module) is still holding up. Someone will please be able to deliver such a part. You think the chip shortage is the problem, and then something like this.

• "eCall: Received contract for COP-part from OEM; currently in signature loop". A real "Carry Over Part". The eCall module is sourced from an OEM or a supplier with the blessing of another OEM. The eCall module is automatic emergency call system for motor vehicles that automatically calls 112 in case of a serious accident. Mandatory since 2018.

• "Wiring harness: Complete timing for SVC4 roadmap." The reports on SVC4 are piling up, which is a good thing. The SVC3 is being built by Bertrandt in Munich, and the SVC4 will be coming from the factory by then.

• "Headcount: DVP and testing engineers missing". Engineers for design validation are missing. Do you feel addressed? Get in touch here: https://sonomotors.jobs.personio.de/job/547539

• "Hazard light switch: Does it come with a bezel? We can not release our part without this knowledge". Now THAT is a level of detail. Does the hazard light button have a bezel? Let's have a look at the prototype in summer.

• "Wallbox: supplier will start to develop the Bidirectional Wallbox". So that's what I'm hoping for. Go Kostal. 

• "No off the shelf part for Schuko with plug detection available (high piece price)". This refers to the socket in the front of the vehicle. Obviously you want to detect if a plug is plugged in before you put voltage on it. Makes sense, so that the thing is not always under power when snow and ice collect. Solutions here are either something mechanical (a pin that is pressed) or a sophisticated sensor system. Nobody asks me, but do you need it? I'm a big fan of a plastic cap over the Schuko and that's it. that's enough for any outdoor socket at the house.

• "Decision on Schuko plug detection for V2L still pending". That fits to the topic, the question is, if you need a detection, if a plug is plugged in before you give juice to the socket. In practice, the socket will only be live if you have either turned it on inside on the infotainment or in the app. The TÜV has the last word here, but I think a flap over it is enough. The real danger comes from what people end up plugging into it. There were already inquiries last week about whether you can also charge the Sion via a balcony power station using the Schuko. Great idea, the e-technician in me says no. 

• "475A peak current capability confirmed by supplier". 475A is a lot of current. 

• "SION grain logo on hatch? DONE." A logo on the tailgate? Check.

https://sonomotors.com/site/assets/files/7573/sono-motors-dev-sprint-review-cw04-22_1.pdf

+++ WIRED +++

A new wireframe from the SVC3 has made it to social media. We already have it in Jens' post in the group, too. Small big side effect: finally a relatively well recognizable front view of the Sion with new headlights, the smaller tailgate and the slightly longer drawn front.

It doesn't have to be a rendering (=what always looks so real - but is created on the PC with Photoshop). 

Important with the panels or solar cells is:

• The series validation vehicles (SVC3) will be equipped with the standard PV body modules. We are curious to see what the appearance will be like then. 

• They are high-efficiency monocrystalline back-contact solar cells with up to 22% efficiency.

• And there's a custom "junction box." The comment is probably aimed more at potential customers of Sono from the solar business, the "Kaschtl" can be adapted from cars to boats and buses, and of course the Sion gets its own assembly.

https://twitter.com/SonoMotors/status/1494330372326236171

+++ PV Magazine +++

Sonos acronym SEV for "Solar Electric Vehicles" really catches on! Mercedes shows a solar roof on the EQXX - but currently can't charge the HV battery with it, only reduce auxiliary consumption.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/magazine-archive/rolling-solar/

Here is a comprehensive article about the work at Sono: on Solar:  

https://www.elektroauto-news.net/2022/wie-sono-motors-an-der-zukunft-seiner-solartechnologie-arbeitet

+++ WATER AND SOLAR +++

Sono is set with the stilt boats of Wallaby. The press release is about the use of parts of the Sono solar technology in the maritime sector. The solar cells are supposed to reduce energy consumption here, unfortunately not directly for propulsion. 

https://www.wallaby-boats.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PM_mit_Logos_und_SONO_MOTORS_16022022_.pdf

+++ SONO CARSHARING APP +++

The carsharing app from Sono Digital has been slightly updated, now you can invite friends with a link, which makes it much easier.

Small tip for users outside of Germany who don't see the app in the App-Store: The service is not yet offered abroad, but if you just want to have the app on your phone for once, you can search for "APK Sono Carsharing" on Google and install it manually on your Android phone. But please pay attention to the source. 

https://app.sonomotors.com

+++ HEADLIGHTS +++

While searching for actual pictures I came across a photo mockup from 2021 by "Easternbull" that we haven't mentioned here yet. Interesting idea to split the front tailgate the middle. Fancy. Spoiler Alert: it's not going to be like that.

https://twitter.com/realeasternbull/status/1460351188654772235

+++ FUN FACT: RESERVATIONIST:AS +++

The number of reservation holders on the "About Us Page" on Sono's website is still unchanged. Are there exactly as many cancellations as new reservations? Very unlikely, please update February numbers sometime, it's almost March! Thanks. 

https://sonomotors.com/de/about-us/

EDIT 14:00: The number on the homepage is in fact correct - my fault. It was 16.722 in January, and 16.770 in February. Sorry. And thanks everyone for pointing out!

Stay healthy!

Your Admin Team - Sebastian, Astrid, Andreas, Wolfgang