Rimac launches Verne as radical UK-bound self-driving two-seater

Rimac has unveiled Verne, its new spin-off that plans to launch an autonomous taxi service in the UK within the next three years.

The company, previously known as P3 Mobility, will launch with a radical two-seat electric hatchback designed from the ground up to ferry people around major cities in comfort.

The Verne ‘robotaxi’ majors on interior space, ergonomics and on-board entertainment. It is claimed to be roomier inside than a Rolls-Royce, with five different position settings for the “extra-large” seats that are designed for both work and rest. 

In place of a traditional dashboard is a huge, 43in display screen, controlled via a touchpad on the centre console. This screen can be used for entertainment, such as watching videos, or for displaying information about the journey in progress. 

There is no steering wheel nor any pedals.

“We wanted to make the interior less automotive and more like a living room,” said Verne designer Adriano Mudri, who also penned the Rimac Nevera.

Mudri added that the two-seat layout was chosen over a traditional four-, five- or seven-seat interior because “nine out of 10 rides are used by one or two people”.

The use of a bespoke ride-hailing app for the Verne service will also allow the interior to be pre-conditioned for a ride. This means a taxi could arrive already warmed to a passenger’s exact preference on a cold day, for example. Even its interior scent can be decided ahead of time, the company said.

It added that customers can “rest assured” that rides will not be cancelled, addressing a key stumbling block of traditional ride-hailing services.

The Verne taxi is underpinned by a new electric car platform that is said to be highly adaptable, suggesting it could spawn future variants according to regional needs. The firm said it was designed to suit “a variety of locations, on different road types, under varying weather conditions and even taking local driving styles into account”.