Tesla luxury rival Volvo teases new electric vehicle model

Tesla electric vehicles, such as the the Model S and Model X, were conceived by CEO Elon Musk as a green living room on four wheels. The idea of driving a Tesla would be like riding on the road in your apartment or house equipped with the most advanced technologies of the moment.

Musk's ambition reportedly has been to turn Tesla  (TSLA) - Get Free Report EVs into living rooms on four wheels where passengers can be entertained by streaming TV shows and films, playing video games or simply doing something instead of driving once they have activated the autonomous driving system, Full-Self Driving. 

Musk's vision was so revolutionary that competing automakers have been trying to emulate the CEO's ideas to the point of even inspiring some of those companies to repeat Musk's vision as their vision.

German auto maker Mercedes-Benz (MBG) has a Tesla rival model in its EQB all-electric compact sports utility vehicle with an estimated 245 mile range, which accelerates 0-60 mph in 8 seconds and has the lowest price of its EVs at a $52,750.

The automaker is updating the 2024 EQB model that will be delivered in the first half of the year with a fresh design, black panel surface, new steering wheel, updated technology and high-tech special features.

Getting that living room feeling

Updated sensor technology includes an improved new mono-multipurpose camera and backup camera and the optional Driving Assistance Package includes such features as Active Lane Keeping Assist with steering intervention. It might not quite match Tesla's goal of Full-Self Driving.

But the EQB is also looking to get to that living room feeling by adding a new Burmester surround sound system with Dolby Atmos audio experience. It sounds like a system Tesla strives for in its living room concept.

Mercedes-Benz User Experience, or MBUX, infotainment multimedia system has been updated and may be customized for subtle, sports or classic styles and three modes navigation, assistance and service. The central display is part of the vehicle's standard equipment.

Volvo shows new electric minivan

Now comes Volvo  (VLVLY) - Get Free Report as it teases its all-new, first-ever fully electric premium minivan, the EM90. Volvo's description of the vehicle looks like Musk wrote it for the company.

"Imagine a moving space where you can just be you. A place where you can connect with your loved ones, create, relax, work or just think," Volvo said in its Aug. 24 statement teasing its new electric vehicle.

"The Volvo EM90 is our first ever fully electric premium MPV, and is designed for you to make the most of the time spent in the car, like a Scandinavian living room on the move. The new EM90 doesn’t just allow you to travel from A to B – it creates room for your life," the statement said.

Volvo, which was purchased by Geely in 2010, said that the EM90 will make its global debut Nov. 12 and will begin taking pre-orders for its China market on the same day. The company said it will release more details about the car in the coming months.