Volkswagen has made several I.D. concept vehicles over the years, but it seems one is finally in the works. The automaker’s I.D. Crozz Concept made its U.S. debut at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show after its initial debut last April at the Frankfort Motor Show. VW says the I.D. Crozz Concept will birth a production version, which will be the first of VW’s new generation of electric vehicles. What’s more, VW is promising (again) that its iconic Bus will be reborn for 2022. While hippies and Baby Boomers will approve, this isn’t the first time VW has made such a promise. Still, the Crozz seems more probable since it falls into the red-hot crossover category. VW says a total of 15 new EV vehicles are planned.

Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, says, “The I.D. CROZZ-based electric vehicle will be an affordable and stylish electric SUV.” It will be roughly the size of the 2018 Tiguan, but with a coupe-like shape. Power comes from an 83-kWh lithium-ion battery and is expected to have a 300-mile range. The part-time AWD crossover uses two electric motors – one on each axle – for a total output of 302 horsepower. VW says the Crozz will change to 80 percent in only 30 minutes using a 150-kWh DC charger. Self-driving technology is planned for 2025, too, so we could expect that to accompany the Crozz’s mid-cycle refresh. That’s just speculation, of course.

Continue reading for more on the 2020 Volkswagen I.D. Crozz Concept.

From dirty diesels to self-driving electric vehicles

Volkswagen is working hard to rid itself of the soot stains from Dieselgate, and the I.D. concepts are proof of that. These 15 new fully electric vehicles will have zero local emissions, after all. Besides what Tesla sells, electric vehicles are battling against the SUV craze and low fuel prices. Volkswagen is hoping to sway consumers toward its EV products with snazzy features and bright lights. Literally, they’re using lights.

Walk up to the I.D. Crozz Concept, and an LED light show emanates from the badges and headlights. The doors electrically open, with the front swinging a full 90 degrees and the rear door sliding open like a minivan. The absent B-pillar and glass roof makes the cabin feel extra large and inviting.

The rest of the interior takes a futuristic, minimalistic approach. LED lights illuminate the space, an infotainment screen is basically the only interface on the dash, and the steering wheel looks like something from TRON. A digital gauge cluster resides behind the wheel in a sort of form-fitted, metallic pod behind the wheel.

The electric drivetrain is also futuristic. The electric motors work independently of each other, with electricity sent to the rear-axle motor during normal driving conditions. The driver can engage the AWD and the front motor turns on. The 101-horse front motor and 201-horse rear motor combined for a total of 302 horsepower. VW didn’t announce a torque figure but count on it being pretty high.

Of course, pricing wasn’t discussed, but Woebcken did promise the Crozz would be affordable. We’d guess it’ll start in the lower $30,000 range. Then again, 2020 is still a long ways off.

References

Read our full review on the 2017 Volkswagen I.D. CROZZ Concept.

Read our full review on the 2017 Volkswagen I.D. CROZZ II Concept.

Read more 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show news.