Tata showcases ConnectNext Concept at Geneva motor show

Tata’s ConnectNext Concept originally debuted at the Auto Expo in 2014. The aim of the concept was to offer a completely new driving experience. Tata has now showcased the car on the global stage by displaying it at the ongoing Geneva motor show 2015.

The ConnectNext concept boasts of a spacious five-seat flexible layout with floating seats mounted to the centre spine that runs the length of the car. The seats can be stacked up to allow for maximum flexibility. The car provides a minimalistic driver interface with an electronic parking brake, automatic transmission, steering single-linked active indicators alongside features like infotainment system, navigation and a touch-enabled centre stack.

The car also features an occupant cooling system that replaces the conventional cabin cooling system. It uses a series of sensors mounted all over the interior to monitor occupant location and temperature, therefore cutting down power consumption as well as freeing up space. The car’s B-pillar-less configuration makes entry and egress easy, while the large glass house reduces the need for artificial interior illumination and adds an airy feel to the cabin.

The ConnectNext is endowed with a plethora of electronics such as rear projected touch centre stack, rear projected instrument cluster, integrated co-driver display and iPod-inspired click wheel driver and co-driver centre arm control. There’s also a heads-up display augmented navigation system with driver warning and guidance display, and a transparent screen with panoramic obstruction-free video streaming that doubles up as a rear camera when reverse gear is engaged. The second-row passengers get integrated screens along with wireless headphones.

The car will also offer cloud connectivity to the rear passenger for seamless connectivity between home and the car and vice-versa. Also included are video conferencing facilities, internal wireless hub for music, video streaming and access to cloud services.