Faraday Future CEO Jia Yueting has released the
first teaser image of the V9 concept on Twitter. Designed to preview an upcoming
model, the concept looks like a futuristic minivan. Details are hard to make
out, but we can see the model has a mushroom-like upper section with prominent
overhangs that feature integrated lighting units. The model also has a short
and rakish windscreen as well as a relatively flat roof.
Other notable features include a distinctive lower
half and an extremely long wheelbase. The latter has been achieved by putting
the wheels at the outside edges of the vehicle. Yueting didn’t say much about the concept, but he
hinted the model has artificial intelligence and seamless connectivity. He also
suggested the V9 has a spacious and luxurious interior.
Little else is known about the concept, but the V9
was announced last week as part of a joint venture with The9 Limited. The joint
venture will “manufacture, market, distribute and sell” the V9 in China and the
model will be loosely based on the FF 91.
The V9 is slated to go into pre-production next year
and joint venture’s Chinese plant is slated to have an annual production
capacity of 300,000 units. The9 Limited plans to invest up to US$ 600 million into the joint venture and they’ll be in control of it, even
though Faraday Future will have a 50% stake.
Faraday Future is still facing financial problems,
but the company has previously said they intend to launch the FF 91 later this
year. Two months ago, the company was conducting cold weather testing on
several prototypes in northern Minnesota. We haven’t heard much about the
crossover since then, but Faraday Future has said they’re making “steady
progress” on the vehicle.
