Photo: VW
In the aftermath of the Dieselgate emissions scandal, Volkswagen is no longer the automotive behemoth it once was. To understand how badly VW has been affected by Dieselgate, the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer didn’t let Bentley and Lamborghini attend this year’s edition of the Paris Motor Show. The Volkswagen brand, on the other hand, will be attending the plush event.
As a preview to its main exhibit at the French show, Volkswagen is teasing us with official photographs and a few details about how the future looks for the German manufacturer. The funny-looking car in the adjacent gallery is called Volkswagen I.D. Concept, and it is the first recipient of the Modular Electric Drive Kit. The MEB is Volkswagen’s first dedicated platform for EVs.
According to the cryptic release published before the actual debut, the I.D. “starts the countdown to a new era for Volkswagen,” “has a range of 400 to 600 kilometers (250 to 373 miles)”, and it’s meant to demonstrate “a fully automated mode for the year 2025.” Reading between the lines, what Tesla partially achieved in a few years, VW will try to replicate it by decade’s end.
Underneath the futuristic bodyshell complete with fancy-opening rear doors, the Volkswagen I.D. Concept is propelled by a 125 kW (170 PS or 168 horsepower) electric motor. For what it’s worth, that’s enough get-up-and-go for a car the size of a Golf. Although it’s a compact, the concept’s Open Space packaging solution offers almost the same roominess as the Passat B8.
As if these details weren’t impressive enough, Volkswagen promised that the I.D. will see production life in 2020 as a compact hatchback parallel to the Golf. Curiously enough, Volkswagen is adamant that the I.D. “can receive parcels using a new delivery service, if its owner isn't at home.” Can you beat that, Jeff Bezos of Amazon and your one-day delivery service?
According to the cryptic release published before the actual debut, the I.D. “starts the countdown to a new era for Volkswagen,” “has a range of 400 to 600 kilometers (250 to 373 miles)”, and it’s meant to demonstrate “a fully automated mode for the year 2025.” Reading between the lines, what Tesla partially achieved in a few years, VW will try to replicate it by decade’s end.
Underneath the futuristic bodyshell complete with fancy-opening rear doors, the Volkswagen I.D. Concept is propelled by a 125 kW (170 PS or 168 horsepower) electric motor. For what it’s worth, that’s enough get-up-and-go for a car the size of a Golf. Although it’s a compact, the concept’s Open Space packaging solution offers almost the same roominess as the Passat B8.
As if these details weren’t impressive enough, Volkswagen promised that the I.D. will see production life in 2020 as a compact hatchback parallel to the Golf. Curiously enough, Volkswagen is adamant that the I.D. “can receive parcels using a new delivery service, if its owner isn't at home.” Can you beat that, Jeff Bezos of Amazon and your one-day delivery service?
Google News