The Yanfeng Automotive Interiors XiM18 makes European premiere at IAA 2017

Sub Title YFAI’s XiM18 is re-defining The Next Living Space

FRANKFURT, Germany – Date09/13/2017

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the global leader in automotive interior solutions, has unveiled its eXperience in Motion (XiM18) concept car at the IAA International Motor Show today. Presented for the first time in Europe, the XiM18 showcases the way people experience vehicle interiors, if they no longer have to drive. It is designed to enable the use of four different interior modes: Drive, Family, Meeting and Lounge, enabling the vehicle to be used in various ways, by multiple people. With this new concept the company supports the next generation of electric and autonomous driving cars.

In times of new forms of car ownership and shared mobility, a unique product look, feel and function through seamless integration of interior surfaces and personalized human-machine-interface is what occupants look for. XiM18 combines a multitude of new technologies for cockpits and instrument panels, as well as advancements in pillar trim, lighting and overhead module integration. In addition, smart solutions for an enhanced user experience with floor consoles and door panels are combined with YFAI’s unique excellence in materials and process innovations. The elegant design of the XiM18 features leather trim, in hues of light blue to medium gray, neatly covering a full piano black surface with copper highlights.

“In the future, once collapsible steering wheels will be considered the new normal since the driver will no longer have to steer the vehicle”, said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for YFAI. “The car will evolve into the next living space for driver and passengers alike. Our XiM18 exemplifies how we are redefining the way people can relax, work and play in their car today and decades from now.”

The next generation XiM18 concept car shows how the company leads the way in interior design, and provides our answer to the future requirements of electric vehicles and autonomous driving. This forward-looking concept integrates many market-ready product innovations, such as smart surfaces and a front and rear floor console that can be combined together, featuring the seamless integration of displays and control functions. XiM18 is proof that Yanfeng Automotive Interiors is at the forefront of redefining car to human interaction.

XiM18 re-defines interior space configurations

The XiM18 concept features four different interior modes, supporting different driving scenarios from standard driving mode to future-led family mode or functional meeting mode to relaxing lounge, inspired by autonomous driving scenarios. XiM18 exemplifies how future car interiors will put a stronger emphasis on flexible and intelligent floor console and door panel solutions. The key theme of future vehicle interiors in response to autonomous driving is the re-defined interior space and design with modified arrangement of the seating positions. XiM18 is a concept, where the entire interior surface individually interacts with each occupant.

Driving mode is the conventional interior configuration with all seats facing forward. It is enriched by many new comfort and safety functions such as invisible A-pillar, next generation HVAC Slim Air Vents with Gesture Control or smart climate control, slim overhead consoles, moving floor consoles, or convenient soft tambour door storage with finger print lock technology and heated door panel armrest solutions. Innovations such as YFAI’s Start/Stop Overhead Console with PRND controls contribute to enhanced occupant interaction.

Family mode brings people together to better engage and communicate, where the seatback of the front seats rotate inward and the rear floor console moves forward, allowing the rear seats to come together in the center. YFAI’s designers have also come up with many family-friendly features for the interior, including the origami table, instrument panel passenger storage with a tray, new ambient or functional lighting, and plenty of play-and-relax-features like the Interactive Overhead Display Panel. The Overhead Slim Air Vent adds more comfort to the family mode and other layouts.

In Meeting mode the interior serves as an extension of the office, where the driver seat moves to the back of the vehicle, while the passenger seat rotates 180 degrees, allowing occupants to face each other while the rear seats stows away. Adaptive interiors with flexible floor consoles, personal electronics management and convenient working table solutions support the working environment inside the vehicle. Lounge mode is a transformational space helping transition from working to socializing. With the front seats moved to the rear-most position, this environment offers passengers the option to relax or work while the vehicle drives autonomously. As YFAI excels in materials and surface innovations, instrument panels and door panels will visibly benefit from technology advancements like the direct back-foaming of leather or the CHyM Eco-Lite technology which is not only integrated in the door panels but also for the first time applicable for instrument panel production. A key enabler for effective lounge mode layout applications are YFAI’s unique separated floor console – a front and rear floor console that can be combined, features the seamless integration of displays and control functions.

YFAI’s smart interior surfaces have been inspired by the increased technology and information needs in vehicle interiors. “Interior surfaces have always had a great look and feel,” added Hendriks. ”However, we will increasingly integrate functionality that creates a better life on board,” said Han Hendriks. “We‘re seamlessly integrating information and areas for controls, ambient and task lighting, heated surfaces and more. When these functions are not activated, our smart interior surfaces blend in with the stylish decor of our floor consoles, instrument and door panels. This is the wave of the future and our concepts will help prepare automakers to be ready for the future.”