Crossover with an electric drive: SUV and coupé worlds blend in new concept car

Volkswagen will be launching a new range of avant-garde electric vehicles in the near future. This month, Volkswagen is providing a first look at a new important frontrunner of electric mobility in the world premiere of a crossover concept vehicle at Auto Shanghai 2017 (19 to 29 April). The concept car is the brand's first electrically powered crossover utility vehicle (CUV) – a four-door coupé and sport utility vehicle (SUV) in one.

After the premieres of the I.D. (Paris, 2016) and I.D. BUZZ (Detroit, 2017), this concept car follows as the third progressive member of the I.D. family – a new generation of zero emission vehicle with a long range and a charismatic electric mobility design. All I.D. models also impress with a new interior world and with their layout, flexibility, size and comfort, which exceed standards for this vehicle class.

The CUV of the I.D. family was conceptualised as a sporty, interactively designed zero-emission all-rounder – with electric all-wheel drive that is just as impressive in the urban environment as it is on the rough terrain covered in an adventurous and active lifestyle. A long driving range on the same level of the range of today's petrol powered cars makes it suitable for long trips. Like the I.D. and I.D. BUZZ, this concept car can also drive fully autonomously. All it takes is a light push on the VW badge on the steering wheel to activate this autonomous mode. The steering wheel retracts electrically into the cockpit where it forms a single unit with the displays and controls that have been implemented fully digitally. The electric vehicle recognises its surroundings and other road users via laser scanners, ultrasonic and radar sensors and cameras.

Volkswagen has set the clearly defined goal of advancing electric drive vehicles from the status of a start-up niche to large-scale production models by the middle of the next decade in a worldwide product offensive. The concept car that is now making its debut in Shanghai illustrates just how multifaceted the range of these future Volkswagen electric models will be in the year 2020.