SAIPA Automotive Group has unveiled Shahin Connect, which was developed in cooperation with Irancell, during the Future Cars 2 event held in Tehran on Oct. 19.
The event was attended by Manouchehr Manteqi, deputy industries minister, Mehdi Khatibi, CEO of Iran Khodro Industrial Group, Mohammad Ali Teymouri, CEO of SAIPA Automotive Group, Saeed Tajik, CEO of the Iran Standard & Quality Inspection Company, and Shahriar Zaini, director of the Automotive Group of Advanced Transportation Headquarters at the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology.
The flagship car, which is equipped with the latest automotive technologies, was unveiled at the SAIPA Research and Innovation Center, Donyaye Khodro reported.
In terms of design, Shahin Connect is no different from other namesake models released in the market, except for the connected car technology. The latest version sported an ocean blue color and a small spoiler on the trunk.
SAIPA claims that the car has the highest level of technology to connect to rescue and emergency centers [in case of accident or needing repairs], which can greatly increase the safety of this sports sedan.
Benefits of Connected Car Tech
Connected car technology will enable cars to "talk" to each other with in-vehicle or aftermarket devices that continuously share important safety and mobility information.
A connected car has its own connection to the internet, usually via a wireless local area network.
A very useful feature in connected cars is Global Positioning System connectivity. Drivers can become aware of real-time traffic conditions and avoid congestion by taking alternate routes. By leveraging GPS connectivity and geofencing, the connected car will be able to suggest the best possible route for continuing the journey.
Increasingly, connected cars (and especially electric cars) are taking advantage of the rise of smartphones, and apps are available to interact with the car from any distance. Users can unlock their cars, check the status of batteries, find the location of the car, or remotely activate the climate control system.
When asked which SAIPA vehicle was supposed to be equipped with connected car technology, Reza Abdolvand, the deputy CEO of SAIPA Innovation and Research Center, said, "The connected car issue was supposed to be implemented on the QUIK car in the fiscal 2019-20 in cooperation with Irancell. But later it was supposed to be installed on the SP100 project, which is the same car as Shahin, but after a change in management this project was suspended until finally, we’re seeing the unveiling of Shahin with connected car technology today.”
Abdolvand announced that SAIPA Research and Innovation Center is also working on the Mini Hybrid and Full Hybrid. But, according to the CEO of SAIPA Automotive Group, the company is going to work on the Shahin hybrid version as well until next year.
SAIPA’s Technological Plans
Asked to name the university or knowledge-based company with which SAIPA plans to work for the development of Shahin Hybrid, Hamed Samani, a deputy engineer of SAIPA Research and Innovation Center, noted that SAIPA and its innovation center have signed a memorandum of understanding with Babol Noshirvani University of Technology to help produce Shahin Hybrid.
“We will review the concept and prototype versions of the mini and full hybrids so that we can ultimately develop and produce the most suitable model from the economic and technical viewpoint,” he said.
“Today, we have taken the first step by unveiling the Shahin Connect and this car has several options, the most important of which is SOS, which works through the car's internet that tracks the nearest rescue and emergency center and helps contact it.”
Samani noted that Shahin Connect can monitor a driver's behavior and if it confirms that it is correct and principled, the insurance company could reduce its premium for that driver. He added that in European countries, this option is used in modern cars, so after its rules and regulations are devised, it can be advantageous for drivers.
“The connected car feature will also be installed on the hybrid and normal versions. Hopefully, the Shahin Hybrid will be marketed next year,” he said.
Shahin Connect is expected to hit the domestic market soon and as of March 2023, all versions of Shahin will be equipped with the connected car technology.
