Looking something like an unborn child peering with sightless eyes from inside an amniotic sack, the Volkswagen I.D. concept vehicle has been revealed ahead of the Paris Auto Show.
The description is apt, as Volkswagen sees the I.D. as an embryo, heralding a long-range electric vehicle slated for production within four years.
Built on the automaker’s new Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB), the compact EV’s hallmarks are a long wheelbase for maximum interior room (or “open space,” in Volkswagen parlance), a 125 kW electric motor, and a large battery pack. Volkswagen claims a range of 400 to 600 kilometers (249-373 miles) for the production model, which will slot alongside the Golf.
That modular platform will eventually spawn a number of EV models.
With its reputation and finances still dogged by the diesel emissions scandal, the company wants the concept to serve as proof of its eco-friendly product intentions. Volkswagen’s 2025 plan calls for sales of two to three million EVs by that date. It wants to see annual EV sales hit one million that year, too.
After 2025, Volkswagen sees the I.D., or whatever it’s called by then, adopt autonomous driving technology.
While the emissions scandal prompted the automaker to change course for cleaner waters, the multi-billion-dollar U.S. settlement set its plans in stone. As part of Volkswagen’s environmental penalties, it must invest $2 billion into zero-emissions vehicle development.
[Images: Volkswagen of America]
And sixteen years from now, you’ll have big problems with your ID and need therapy.
Anyone else getting a Pythonesque Black Knight vibe from VW’s future products press these days?
“It’s only a flesh wound. Have at you!”
Tis but a scratch.
Speaking of modular construction, wasn’t there some kind of VAG modular platform that was supposed to conquer the world or something?
MQB? That’s what the current Golf/Golf wagon are built on. The new Tiguan and Teramont will also use it.
The current NCS Jetta uses the PQ35 platform while the NMS Passat uses the PQ46 platform.
The Passat sold everywhere in the world but the US and China is based on MQB, as are a number of Seat, Skoda, and Audi models.
Yes I think that’s whats it was called, thx.
I expect this is also a pretty good preview of where VW intends the styling of the next Golf to go. I like it.
Although I’m very skeptical that the next Golf will be sold by today’s VW. We’re going to get a new VW under new ownership, just like we got a new GM.
Which Chinese bank do you think will own New VW?
@CoreyDL
Very prickly issue in China as the Chinese economy looks like it has over reached it’s debt level.
Precarious times in China at the moment.
I think it will be a combination of German federal and state governments and the German unions, and they will all seek to sell to private investors as quickly as possible.
@dal20402
Neither, German Unions and Government is benefitting from VW’s current No 1 position Globally.,VW was No. 1 for the first 6 months of this year
Cerberusliffakapital GmBH
Oh, God, “liffa” reminds me of lefsa, Norwegian potato flatbread. My mom made a Polish variant with cheese she called pagach.
If I ever self-euthanize it will be by carbing-out on that stuff with six pounds of butter & salt.
Funny how the Polish pagach is flat and has cheese on it, while the Ukrainian version is stuffed bread and looks more like a calzone without sauce.
Actually, when I google imaged it most of the examples of the Polish version were way puffier than my mom’s.
I’m remembering a flatbread no thicker than thin pizza dough, nicely singed on both sides, crispy edges and saturated throughout with cheese.
It was one more seduction on the road to the craven carboholism from which I’m now recovering.
Don’t look at any more pics or you’ll end up triggered!
If those wheel segments opened like petals you could hide a lot of drugs in there. Or maybe they could function as big centrifugal juicers.
1. I’d like to know how they’re going to stuff 100 kWh into that car.
2. If VW plans to build 1 million EVs in 2025, with 2-3 million prior to that, their “Gigafactory” needs to be on line soon:
http://insideevs.com/volkswagen-build-first-battery-gigafactory-china/
Real-world EPA range is estimated to be 185 to 275 miles, not the NEDC fictional range of 249-373 miles.
This means the car will get a battery of maybe 50-80 kWh, which is certainly do-able in that package.
It’s ugly enough to be an electric car! Ship it!
the compact EV’s hallmarks are a long wheelbase for maximum interior room (or “open space,” in Volkswagen parlance),
Otherwise known as Lebensraum
It’s probably just me, but this sure looks like it was influenced by the ‘Star Child’ at the end of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
My take is that VW’s design direction was “What if Apple built a car?”
Also, I like it.