Novares has unveiled its third-generation Nova Car #1, incorporating 16 new patented innovations to make cars cleaner, lighter, more cost effective and user-friendly with new features to enhance car automation and connectedness.
Nova Car #1’s innovations are also closely linked to new mobility and business models such as car leasing and sharing, as well as utilizing new powertrain techniques. Nova Car #1 allows global car manufacturers to visualize the innovations they will later incorporate into their cars.
Its features include more and larger displays onboard, a cockpit design for autonomous driving, the reduction of vehicle weight and air drag to reduce emissions, easy-to-use onboard set-up, 360° augmented reality features and a tuning-free driver position.
The new features are linked to 17 patents related to smart surface technologies, plastronics (plastics & electronics), as well as user friendly HMI (Human Machine Interface) and connected enhancements.
The unveiling of the Novares third-generation demonstration car, a BMW X1 model, took place on 26 March, in Paris, at the world’s biggest start-up campus “Station F”.
The 16 innovations are:
CONNECTED & AUTONOMOUS CARS INNOVATIONS
• BirdView: smart and tiny roof bars which deliver load measurement and light communications (patented).
• Hi 5 Door: a flush door handle design with backlighting, with keyless solutions (patented).
• Hi 5 Pillar: a flush pillar made with backlighting, with integrated handles.
• FlexView: exterior revolving mirrors & camera with an integrated flexible screen for rear view (patented).
• Touch ’N Play: a short cut panel for favorite features (patented).
• Touch ’N Go: an inner handle with touch opening.
USER-FRIENDLY INNOVATIONS
• Touch ’N Feel: a sensitive touch & scroll panel with haptic feedback.
• Slim ‘N Cool: an air register with hidden flush mechanisms and slim design (patented).
• Snake ’N Light: innovative mood lighting, with easy customizable design for car manufacturers.
• Silent Duct™: a porous air duct that absorbs noise (patented).
CLEAN INNOVATIONS
• Ultimate decantation: a Venturi Engine Cam Cover that improves oil separation efficiency (patented).
• Entry Box concept: a synthetic material that ensures high filtration performance for a reduced air filter cost for the engine.
• SpaceSaver Cooler: a compact plastic water-charged air cooler that reduces air temperature and CO2emissions (patented).
LIGHTER & COST EFFICIENT INNOVATIONS
• Diet MuCell®: Novares MuCell® Cam Cover concept that provides additional weight-saving benefits.
• Blacklite Carbon: an engine cover that ensures weight and noise reduction.
• Easy Valve: a degassing valve that cools down temperatures using only one engine degassing bottle, so both reducing cost and simplifying the process (patented).
“I am very proud to reveal today our Nova Car #1. As a product of our innovation culture, this demo car showcases our contribution to the future of the automotive industry, alongside our many customers. I would like to thank all my colleagues who participated in the making of Nova Car #1, but also our partners – start-ups, new technology partners and prototype integrators. They are part of the collaborative approach Novares has on innovation, a tactic that will allow us to provide more creative, pragmatic and smart solutions for our customers.” says Pierre Boulet, Novares CEO.
Over the past three years, Novares, a plastics injection and moulding company, has created demo cars (the previous models were SMT1 and SMT2, known as “Smart Mecaplast Trends”) enabling global car manufacturers to visualize and experience turnkey innovations ahead of market timing.
Novares’ growth strategy through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as well as innovation is firmly on track: Nova Car #1 is the result of both organic innovation, owing to the company’s 580 dedicated research staff, many patents and 5.2% of sales spent on R&D, and its various co-innovation partnerships.
In addition, its M&A strategy, designed to consolidate and reinforce its position in conventional, hybrid and e-Powertrain cars, smart surfaces; mechatronics and the Chinese market, is under way through the activities of its investment arm: Novares Venture Capital SAS.
