Volkswagen Tops Its Name Game With I.D. Roomzz Concept
While Seat works on bringing Volkswagen Group’s most-affordable EVs to market, the company’s namesake has devised a concept vehicle aimed the swelling electrified crossover segment. Adhering to the I.D. sub-brand’s absolutely terrible naming scheme, the “Roomzz” is another semi-autonomous concept aimed at generating excitement at automotive trade shows — specifically, Auto Shanghai.
However, it would be wrong to discount it entirely. While Volkswagen’s I.D. sub-brand hasn’t started selling cars, the scope of its hypothetical lineup rivals some established automotive brands. Now it’s adding a sizable e-crossover to the mix, which is something every automaker seems to want these days.
Rumored to be roughly the same size as VW’s Touareg, the MEB-based I.D. Roomzz is said to be a three-row, seven-seat crossover with Chinese aspirations. Asian sales are said to be targeted for 2021, with North American and European deliveries to follow. Automotive News claims the United States might have to wait until 2022, with Europe potentially being forced to bide its time until 2024. Assembly details are anyone’s guess, but the outlet suggested manufacturing could take place in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
As the largest vehicle in the I.D. stable, the Roomzz will likely serve as the company’s flagship EV until something flashier comes out. Thus far, VW has only confirmed the Crozz crossover, the I.D. line’s introductory Golf-sized hatchback (coming to Europe in 2020), and the microbus-inspired Buzz for future assembly. While it has also shown the I.D. Vizzon sedan, Buggy beach bomber, and R prototype racer, none of those models are earmarked for mass production.
“The I.D. ROOMZZ [sic] shows us what we can expect from full-size electric SUVs in the future. The puristic look emphasizes the clear function and the user experience is intuitive and natural,” said Klaus Bischoff, chief designer at VW.
Details will be thin until Volkswagen officially unveils the Roomzz on April 16th, though the company has already said versatility is an essential aspect of the vehicle. VW referred to it as a “multi-variable all-round model,” and its name seems to suggest it could incorporate the lounge-like interior designs we’ve seen on other concept vehicles of late. VW offered additional hints of that being a possibility in its release:
The I.D. ROOMZZ has a number of innovations on board: as its name suggests, the concept car sets trendsetting impulses when it comes to variability of the vehicle interior, boasting completely new seat configurations, high-quality materials and customizable light. What is more, the IQ.DRIVE systems are brought together in the I.D. ROOMZZ: in I.D. Pilot mode, the vehicle can be driven autonomously without an active driver (level 4).
Other than that, all we have is a teaser image. While only a rendering, it’s more substantial than the heavily shadowed images favored by other automakers. The overall shape of the vehicle is clearly visible, but we doubt it’s an accurate representation of any upcoming production model. The Roomzz Concept will likely undergo significant changes before it graces an assembly line.
[Images: Volkswagen Group]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Another day, another VW EV concept. If these concepts actually materialize, it will be interesting to see how the dealers sell them, and whether VW will begin to choke off the supply of ICE vehicles. Given the big talk and the billions VW is pouring into EVs, they'll *have* to make radical changes at the dealer level in order to justify the expense. My point is this: traditional mfrs & dealers have almost no incentive to sell EVs, but that will need to change if VW is going to actually move these products into buyers' hands.
Naming convention fail. How many rappers, hip hop artists, and Instagram influencers will buy their I.D. cars?