Milan-based EV startup Aehra introduced its first model a few weeks ago, but the official presentation didn’t include photos of the cabin. This changes today with a full interior reveal, showing unique features like the massive screen on the dashboard that extends upwards when the vehicle is parked. The upwards-opening doors of the unconventionally-proportioned SUV (front scissor doors and rear gullwing doors) provide access to the roomy cabin which has “home theater, meeting room, and lounge” configurations.

Starting with the dashboard, the highlight is the full-width screen which integrates the infotainment, digital instrument cluster, and digital mirrors. When the vehicle is parked, the screen can extend upwards, for work or entertainment purposes. Aehra didn’t reveal the size of the monitor which appears to be larger than the fold-down 31-inch rear passenger screen found in the new BMW 7 Series. The start-up has already patented this feature which would probably make more sense in fully autonomous vehicles where the screen could be deployed on the move.

 

Filippo Perini, chief design officer at Aehra said: “With the screen fully extended, the occupants can relax and enjoy a movie, perhaps when the car is charging or when a parent is waiting to pick up a child from school or a party. And for those who have work to do, the screen and the spacious interior afford the perfect solution for video conference calls. Instead of staring at your smartphone or laptop, you can sit back and not only see all the participants on the call in perfect high-definition clarity, but also listen to them with crystal-clear, pitch-perfect audio quality”.

A second center-mounted smaller and touch-sensitive screen gives the driver access to all of the controls. The only physical buttons are the gearbox selector on the floating center tunnel and the knobs on the multifunction steering wheel. The latter has a yoke shape and integrates a digital strip displaying the most important information.

 

The ambient lighting and the premium Italian hand-stitched leather upholstery accentuate the premium feeling inside the cabin. The individual seats are made from aluminum, recyclable carbon fiber composite, and leather, combining “supercar support” with “airline first-class comfort”. According to Aehra, the SUV can accommodate “four full-size NBA players” and will be offered in four-seater and five-seater configurations. The rear legroom is quite impressive, benefiting from the aerodynamic shape, the packaging of the fully electric powertrain, and the stretched 3 m wheelbase.

Following the Aehra SUV, the company will unveil a fully electric sedan in April 2023. The first deliveries of both models are scheduled to commence in late 2025. As for their availability, the Italian brand is focused on key markets including North America, Europe, China, and the Gulf States.