Rimac to launch new service with Rolls-Royce levels of comfort and space inside, while competing with human-driven Ubers on price.
Mate Rimac, the Croatian founder and CEO of the eponymous EV company, plans to launch a luxury ride-share service in Zagreb in 2026 with Manchester in England next, then another nine international metropolises - each with signed contracts - to follow, at least in theory, swiftly thereafter.
More than thirty other cities are also reported to be in advanced negotiations to host the app, which is named after French novelist and futurist Jules Verne.
“Billionaires have a very different experience when it comes to mobility,” says the 36-year-old Rimac. “They have a luxury car and a chauffeur who services and cleans it, and sets it up the way the owner wants. The chauffeur drives safely, and the owner arrives at the right place at the right time. Most people don’t get that experience, but we want to give it to everyone, and for the price of a normal ride-hailing service.”
Verne vehicles are certainly substantially more luxurious than the cars currently operated by other AV companies, such as Cruise and Waymo in California and Arizona.
The Verne car doors open automatically to reveal an interior with the look and feel of a first-class aircraft cabin, made from materials designed to withstand the reality of 24/7 operation. The reclining seats include extending calf support, and even when you are fully stretched out and having (should you choose) a quick kip, there’s still space ahead for shopping bags or personal items you might not want to put in the trunk. There’s also a 43-inch screen for movies, games, or tracking your trip.
All images courtesy of Verne
The absence of a human driver means you can run the 17-speaker audio system as loud as you like. For that extra high-touch of service, all of your preferences will be saved in the app, so that the next time you order a Verne it will arrive feeling like your own. There’s also a “keep” function that will allow you to retain the vehicle’s services while handling errands.
This sort of luxury autonomous vehicle has been "coming soon" for quite a few years, but maybe Rimac will succeed in making it a reality where others have failed. But by 2026?
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