Automotive

Volkswagen electric SUV edges closer to production with Frankfurt concept

Volkswagen electric SUV edges closer to production with Frankfurt concept
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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The VW I.D. Crozz concept is now closer to production-ready
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The VW I.D. Crozz concept is now closer to production-ready 
The I.D. Crozz takes the same coupe-meets-SUV shape as new cars like BMW X6
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The I.D. Crozz takes the same coupe-meets-SUV shape as new cars like BMW X6
The I.D. Crozz promises 500 km of range from its electric powertrain
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The I.D. Crozz promises 500 km of range from its electric powertrain 
VW initially released the I.D. Crozz in Shanghai
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VW initially released the I.D. Crozz in Shanghai 
The redesigned interior of the VW I.D. Crozz
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The redesigned interior of the VW I.D. Crozz
The glass roof on the I.D. Crozz helps lend the interior a light, airy feel
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The glass roof on the I.D. Crozz helps lend the interior a light, airy feel
Under the skin of the I.D. Crozz
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Under the skin of the I.D. Crozz
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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VW ID Crozz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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Volkswagen has been on the electric warpath recently, laying out a bold plan to create a new range of all-electric cars by 2025. Having released the first I.D. Concept last year, the company has expanded with high-riding coupes and retro-inspired vans. The cherry red I.D. Crozz was initially unveiled in Shanghai, but VW has given it an interior makeover for Frankfurt.

Before we get to the new "Open Space" interior, let's take a quick look at the powertrain sitting silently under the skin. It's built on the same Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform as the other I.D. concepts, which means the battery pack is set low in the chassis for lots of cabin space in a more compact package. Expect the base, itself a variation of the ubiquitous MQB platform underpinning the majority of current Volkswagen Group cars, to spread into Audi, Skoda and Seat cars shortly after debuting in the VW I.D. range.

To make sure it can back up its high-riding looks, the Crozz has an electric motor on each axle for battery-powered 4MOTION all-wheel drive. Volkswagen doesn't claim it's a rival for something like the Bollinger B1, but it should be able to handle gravel trails or snowy roads without too much fuss – should it make it to production, of course.

The I.D. Crozz takes the same coupe-meets-SUV shape as new cars like BMW X6
The I.D. Crozz takes the same coupe-meets-SUV shape as new cars like BMW X6

The 83-kWh lithium-ion battery offers 500 km (311 mi) of range on the New European Drive Cycle, while the 225-kW (302-hp) system output delivers a 180-km/h (112-mph) top speed. A 48/52 front/rear weight distribution should help with handling, although we'll have to wait and see if it drives like a GTI, as Volkswagen claims. No charge time has been quoted using a regular wall outlet, but a 150-kW DC fast charger can top it up to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

Get used to hearing those figures, by the way. Volkswagen is planning to offer three EV models by 2020, expanding to 23 pure-electric vehicles by 2025 and electrification of its entire fleet by 2030 at the latest. Given most of those cars will share their underpinnings, a range of around 500 km is probably a safe estimate for most of the initial offerings.

Behind the wheel, the I.D. Crozz on show in Frankfurt has been given a complete makeover. Whereas the interior we saw in Shanghai was finished in a moody color scheme, the car on show at IAA has been developed to feel light and airy. There are no B-pillars, and the low floor means there is plenty of space for bikes, skis or whatever else you might want to throw in there.

The redesigned interior of the VW I.D. Crozz
The redesigned interior of the VW I.D. Crozz

Tesla has put air-quality in the spotlight with its HEPA filters and Bioweapon Defence mode, now VW wants to do the same with the CleanAir system in its I.D. Crozz. Along with cleaning the air, the system is able to provide live information about the quality of the air being delivered to the cabin. Volkswagen has also fitted a new voice assistant, capable of closing the doors and activating the autonomous I.D. Pilot mode.

Outside, the icy-silver finish of the Shanghai concept has been replaced by a shade of Hibiscus Red Metallic. Some of the showy detailing from the first concept, like the purple detailing in the headlamps, has been replaced with more production-ready design elements. The red and black finish is certainly eye-catching.

The I.D. Crozz will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, where New Atlas is on the ground covering all the action.

Source: Volkswagen

View gallery - 16 images
3 comments
3 comments
vince
I envy the kids born today--their world will be such a better one thanks to the end of ICE cars and trucks and a drastic reduction in pollution--something that The Koch brothers would like to see extended forever.
highlandboy
With the success of Tesla and the fiasco of VW "diesel gate", VW is finally putting some real energy into electric vehicle development. It will be interesting to see if they find it better to design electric vehicles from the ground up, rather than modifying designs based on ICE configurations. As Tesla found when they electrified a Lotus to produce the roadster, useing a great design for an ICE configuration did not translate into a great electric vehicle.
Rustin Lee Haase
2025??!! I'm getting tired of a constant stream of VW VAPORWARE. Lots of pretty designs made by their marketing department. Perhaps they should consider hiring some machinists and engineers to make something that can actually be driven and mass produced. Driving my current EV, I'd expect to go through three sets of tires before anything cool and electric comes from these people (if they are still in business) These guys need to get out of the holodeck and embrace reality and make something real.