The Spanish start-up Liux unveils the Animal, a large 100% electric station wagon that stands out for its use of recycled and plant-based materials.
Animal materials such as leather are less and less popular in the interiors of our cars, while manufacturers are now betting on sustainable and more environmentally friendly materials. A trend adopted for a long time by Tesla in particular, which has opted for many years for “vegan leather” in its vehicles.
Today, more and more manufacturers are turning to upholstery and upholstery made from recycled materials, such as the Fiat 500 and its Seaqual seats. As a reminder, this is a material made of plastic recovered from the oceans and recycled.
Animal and plant
But some want to go even further. This is particularly the case of Lux, a young Spanish brand founded in December 2021 by David Sancho and Antonio Espinosa. Still unknown, the start-up should soon be talked about, as it has just unveiled its very first creation. Called Animal, this 100% electric station wagon has an interesting feature.
Indeed, and as the manufacturer’s website explains, this is the very first plant-based vehicle on the market, whileit is made of 90% recycled or plant-based materials. This is particularly the case for the interior, of course, but also for certain exterior elements and even the chassis. The body, for example, is made from linen and cork, all covered with paint to create what the brand describes as “amphibian skin”.
Other innovative materials are also used, such as biopolymers, made from organic resins and fibers. Many parts are also made by 3D printing, reducing CO2 emissions related to manufacturing by 70%. To note that the car has 25% fewer parts than in most other models on the market.
The interior presentation is rather conventional but modern, with a large touch screen in a vertical position reminiscent of that of the MG Marvel R. If little information has been given on the on-board technologies, Liux specifies that its Animal uses Android Antomotive and is with 5G connectivity.
Deliveries in 2024
Unlike many start-ups announcing incredible and often fanciful figures, the Spanish company wants to be very realistic. No breathtaking performances for this Animal, rather comparable to a horse than a cheetah. Because as the site of Liux explains, the electric station wagon is intended to be tough and durable, like the most beautiful conquest of Man.
For this, he embarks four 23 kWh battery packs, offering a total capacity of around 90 kWh, allowing it to travel up to 600 kilometers on a single charge. If this has not been specified, it is undoubtedly the European WLTP cycle that has been taken into account here.
This modular battery technology then makes it possible to save money by changing only one module in the event of a malfunction, for example. It would also be easier to modulate the autonomy by adding or removing the elements or by replacing them with more efficient ones. It is a system similar to that of Evogo from the Chinese giant CATL.
If the charging time and power have not been announced by Liux, the brand nevertheless specifies that its electric station wagon boasts up to 240 horsepower, for a 0 to 96 km/h shot in five seconds and a maximum speed of 200 km/h. Looking at the configurator, however, we note that the launch version called Habitat Edition caps at 190 horsepower for 300 kilometers of autonomy and 180 km / h at maximum speed.
It is then necessary to count 39,000 euros for this Animal eligible for the ecological bonus, whose first deliveries are planned for the beginning of next year. Reservations are already open, with a deposit of 200 euros.
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