Hasta La Ideas

Aehra, an Italian EV startup billing themselves as “ultra premium,” plans to produce this SUV design:

“With an exceptional three-meter wheelbase, the AEHRA SUV provides class-leading occupant space and sets new standards for comfort, technology, materials, and usability,” the company writes. (I should point out that three meters, or 118″, isn’t unheard of; the Lincoln Navigator’s wheelbase is 122.5?.)

It sure doesn’t look like an SUV, but you could say that about a lot of vehicles in the category; words don’t mean much in this day and age. In any case, Aehra’s designers reckon the swoopy shape and “revolutionary interior” will draw that ultra-premium buyer.

“AEHRA’s designers [have created] a unique solution that transforms the interior environment for drivers and passengers alike. One of the most innovative and captivating features of the AEHRA SUV’s cabin is the unique full-dashboard-width HMI (Human Machine Interface) screen, which delivers a true step-change in entertainment and in-vehicle working.”

“When the SUV is in drive mode, the screen sits in a lower position, to display all the information the driver requires, such as speed, range, heating and ventilation settings and navigational instructions.”

“The two outer areas of the screen serve as virtual exterior mirrors, relaying high-definition images from two front exterior side cameras.”

Something unusual I noticed in the images is that the center-mounted rearview monitor apparently acts like a real mirror, showing the interior rather than the road behind you:

“When the vehicle is parked, occupants can choose to extend the screen upwards, instantly transforming the AEHRA into a home theater or an office environment.”

“With the screen fully extended, the occupants can relax and enjoy a movie, perhaps when the car is charging or when a parent is waiting to pick up a child from school or a party. And for those who have work to do, the screen and the spacious interior afford the perfect solution for video conference calls. Instead of staring at your smartphone or laptop, you can sit back and not only see all the participants on the call in perfect high-definition clarity, but also listen to them with crystal-clear, pitch-perfect audio quality.”

If it’s not obvious from the image, what the designers have done is push the windshield so far forward that the pop-up screen can sit an acceptable distance away from the front-row driver and passenger. I can say, from experience, that this kind of extreme cab-forward arrangement turns the A-pillars into visual obstacles, which becomes problematic on twisty roads. But it appears Aehra’s designers have prioritized the interior experience:

“In traditional vehicle layouts the interior dimensions do not allow the front row passengers to operate such a flexible and expansive HMI screen because it would sit too close to their eyes. AEHRA has filed a patent for this solution and it believes it will set new standards in terms of productivity and entertainment inside a vehicle.”

Aehra says their SUV, as well as a similar sedan model, will roll out in 2026.