A future VW electric SUV will be based on the ID Crozz concept
Future VW Electric SUV Will Be Based on ID Crozz Concept
Volkswagen would really like you to stop talking and thinking about that diesel scandal thing. One of the biggest ways it’s moving on is by rolling out more electric vehicles. Perhaps the most important planned model is a yet-to-be-named Volkswagen electric SUV.
We got another glimpse of what that future SUV might be like, thanks to the ID Crozz concept. This Volkswagen electric SUV is on full display at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Affordable Utility
Let’s be honest: most electric cars don’t exactly bristle with utilitarian practicality. Sure, you get a nice hatch on the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt, but that’s it. Oh, and then there’s the Tesla Model X, which does offer some utility, but costs more than most people’s current retirement fund.
There’s opportunity in an affordable Volkswagen electric SUV. Company brass kept emphasizing at the media reveal of the ID Crozz that the production vehicle won’t cost much. They also hammered the word “stylish” maybe too much. Considering how most EVs look, that would be a huge improvement, too.
If VW pulls this off, it could become a power player in the EV market.
Electric Drivetrain
Two electric motors drive the ID Crozz concept, with one on each axle, so it has all-wheel drive. By default, the SUV works with rear-wheel drive, until traction starts to become an issue. A 48/52 front-rear weight distribution means the SUV should handle well enough.
Up front, the motor puts out 101 horsepower. In the rear, you get 201 horsepower. Combined output is 302 horsepower. An 83-kWh lithium-ion battery feeds power to the motors.
Range, that thing EVs have struggled with for years, is supposed to reach upwards of 300 miles. That’s pretty good for something so small. Using a 150 kWh CD charger, the battery recharges up to 80 percent in 30 minutes.
Exterior Styling
Despite being a concept, the ID Crozz exterior looks surprisingly close to production. That’s a positive sign that VW is serious about building this thing, and isn’t just playing around.
As you approach with the smart key, the ID Crozz “wakes up.” To show that it’s ready to go, the exterior performs a 360-degree light show. It starts with the front and rear badges, then the daytime running lights. Call it a hunch, but that probably won’t make it to production.
Tons of Space
The ID Crozz is about the same size as a VW Tiguan. That’s perfect for when you’re fighting to get into tight parking spots in big cities. At the same time, it will fit five people with ease, making it more practical than other compact EVs.
According to Volkswagen, interior space is more like what you get with a midsize crossover. The electric powertrain doesn’t take up nearly as much room in the SUV’s nose, and designers took full advantage of that.
The front doors open 90 degrees, and the rear doors slide. There’s no B-pillar, so you get a huge opening that’s perfect for loading larger objects.
Common Underpinnings
You might not realize it, but the ID Crozz, ID BUZZ, and ID concepts all use the same platform. That modular approach to EVs gives Volkswagen an edge over Tesla, which is struggling to get Model 3 production really going.
In fact, all future Volkswagen EVs will use the same platform. A total of 15 models are planned for release by 2025. You can bet it’ll be spread throughout the Volkswagen Group family, too. That economy of scale is another advantage for the Germans.
Crazy Tech
Like other ID cars, this concept has an autonomous drive system, called ID Pilot. It includes cameras, radar and laser scanners. Supposedly, the tech will be ready for the market in 2025. The steering wheel folds up when the car takes over, and you get to just chill in the “lounge-like” interior.
Taking things to a new level of weird, the ID Crozz communicates with drivers and passengers with long LED lights in the cabin. They signal when the system recognizes you’re giving a voice command, which apparently is how you open or close the doors. Handles are so 20th century. Those lights also help give you navigation instructions, but how isn’t clear. In a more practical sense, they’ll help signal a safety alert by flashing red in the direction of the danger.
When the production version of the Volkswagen electric SUV hits the market in a few years, some of these advanced features will probably change. But we’re starting to see a more developed approach to how Volkswagen plans to undercut Tesla and carve out its share of the growing EV market.
The brand is jumping into three key segments with a small hatchback, compact crossover and large van. That would mean no matter your size needs or budget, you likely will find a VW EV that works.
