LA Show: VW Oz keen on electric ID wagon

WAGON fans were transported into the near future at the recent Los Angeles motor show by Volkswagen’s unveiling of the ID. Space Vizzion concept that drops strong hints about what the production version of its all-electric, Passat-sized hauler will look like.

Volkswagen Australia is keen on securing supply of the production version when it emergesin 2021, with the company’s PR and brand experience manager Kurt McGuinness describing the low-slung load-luggeras “of interest”.

“Given the continued popularity of wagon variants,we see this as a good fit for us,” he said.

The ID. Space Vizzion stows an 82kWh lithium-ion battery pack beneath the passenger and luggage compartments, providing a claimed 590-kilometrerange on the WLTP cycle and distributing 250kW through all four wheels for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.4 secondsand a 175km/htop speed.

Inside, the German giant has clearly been inspired by Tesla, echoing the Californian brand’s Model 3 with a minimalist horizontal layout and huge 15.6-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen providing access to mostfunctions.

Unlike the Tesla, the ID. Space Vizzion also has a slim and basic digital instrument panel that is supplemented by what VW describes as an augmented reality head-up display and “an interactive light strip between the A-pillars” used to alert the driver through his or herperipheral vision to hazards detected by the on-board safety systems, incoming phone callsand battery charge level.

The steering wheel has multi-function capacitive touch-sensitive controls,and the right-hand stalk takes on the role of gear selector, leaving the left-hand stalk to perform windscreen wiper control duties.

Cabin materials include ‘AppleSkin’ imitation leather upholstery that, as the name suggests, is derived from a by-product of the apple juice industry.

Use of resources-intensive chrome trim is replaced by paint that provides a similar look.

Volkswagen says it developed the AppleSkin production method in-house and will use it in all production ID models in place of plastic inserts and film.

A metallic-look version that can be back-lit is also under development.

At a reveal event in the Petersen Automotive Museumon the eve of LA motor show, VW head of design Klaus Bischoff claimedthe ID. Space Vizzion combined “the high seating position of an SUV, the space of a van, the design language of a coupe”.

Measuring 4968mm long, 1897mm wide and 1529mm tall with a 2965mm wheelbase, the ID Space Vizzion is 201mm longer, 65mm wider and 52mm higher than a Passat wagon, and 174mm longer in the wheelbase.

Despite the size advantage,the concept’s 586-litre boot with the rear seats in use pales in comparison with the 650L of the Passat.

However, the Passat does not have the ID. Space Vizzion’s pair of electric longboards and matching helmets under its boot floor to provide eco-friendly last-mile transport.

TheID.Space Vizzion has two electric motors, with the bigger one at the back producing 205kW of power and 550Nm of torque, whilea 75kW/150Nm unit is located up front.

Rapid recharging at up to 150kW enables a top-up to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes.In the wind tunnel, Volkswagen has achieved a drag coefficient of 0.24, matching the slipperiest version of sister brand Skoda’s new Octavia fastback but still some way off equalling the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan that is rated at0.22cd.

Contributing to the range-enhancing aerodynamics are slim apertures between the headlightsthat precisely channel airover the bonnet and through a slit in the roof spoiler. 

Drag is further reduced by encouraging air to flow over and around the wheels.

The ID.Space Vizzion is Volkswagen’s seventh concept to preview upcoming electric models after the original ID hatch that has since become the Golf-sized ID.3 production modelthat was unveiled in September.

VW will soon follow up with a showroom-ready iteration of the ID. Crozz, a Tiguan-esquemodel called ID.4 that is tipped to be Australia’s first Volkswagen EVin 2022, while the ID.

Buzz is on track to reprise the classic Kombi as a commercial vehicle and people-mover.The ID. Vizzion is likely to morph into an Arteon-like coupe-styled sports sedan while the ID. 

Buggy showcases the possibilities of licensing VW Group’s MEB electric vehicle architecture to third-party manufacturers and the ID. Roomzz previews a future seven-seat family SUV.