Tag: volkswagen

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Volkswagen ditches awful ID Crozz name for its forthcoming electric compact SUV

Volkswagen’s ID Crozz, which was first unveiled in concept form back in 2017, is growing up and shedding its awful name. The German automaker announced today that it is ditching the eye-rolling name given to the concept version — Crozz, as in crossover. Get it? — in favor of the more neutral-sounding “ID.4.” The eventual production version will squeeze 300 miles of range out of its battery. And most importantly, it will be a global car, sold in Europe, China, and the US.

We don’t know exactly when the ID 4 will go on sale, only that it will follow the ID 3, which is expected to roll out in Europe later this year. But as the first electric VW from its new ID lineup to hit the US market, expectations are sure to be high for this compact SUV.

Both vehicles are members of VW’s ID electric lineup, which also includes concept versions of a large SUV (ID Roomzz), a dune buggy (ID Buggy), and a revamped version of its iconic microbus (ID Buzz), for which VW has also promised a delivery variant. All are being built on Volkswagen’s modular electric vehicle platform known as MEB.THIS ISN’T THE FIRST TIME THAT VW HAS FUTZED WITH ITS NAMING CONVENTIONS

This isn’t the first time that VW has futzed with its naming conventions. The automaker first introduced its electric lineup as the “I.D.” family, but later began referring to its Golf-style variant as “ID.3.” Other vehicles, like the ID R racecar, include an extra space in between. It’s a bit confusing, but I’m sure VW will settle on something more consistent once these vehicles start rolling off the production line.

Details about the ID 4 are a bit scarce for now, but VW confirmed there will be both all-wheel and rear-wheel drive layouts, with the former being the version available at launch. The battery is positioned in the center of the underbody to create a low center of gravity and optimize driving dynamics. The digital cockpit will operate using both touchscreens and intuitive voice commands.

The ID family of vehicles won’t be VW’s first foray into battery-powered drivetrains. VW-subsidiary Porsche recently revealed its first all-electric sports car, the Taycan. The E-Tron, the first battery-electric SUV from Volkswagen Group-owned Audi, debuted in 2018. Together, these vehicles represent the tip of the spear in VW’s effort to dominate the emerging EV market. They’re also crucial in helping VW turn the page on the now-four-year-old Dieselgate scandal, in which VW was accused of installing illegal software in 11 million diesel cars in order to trick emissions tests.

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Add another EV to VW’s electric roadmap: the off-road Ruggdzz

Volkswagen has promised 20 new EVs by 2025. Most of these models combine an “ID” prefix with a double “zz” in the name. There’s the ID Crozz crossover coming later this year to the US and the ID Buzz van to follow. VW unveiled the ID Vizzion wagon at last year’s LA Auto Show.

The UK’s Autocar reported today that VW will also introduce the off-road-oriented ID Ruggdzz in 2023. Volkswagen told the publication that it wants to create a line of electric models “with the same timeless and classless qualities as the original Beetle.”

The ID Ruggdzz could fulfill the need for an iconic VW adventure EV. The style of the ID Ruggdzz could borrow some of the mojo from VW’s Atlas Cross Sport R Concept (shown above).

The ID Ruggdzz, according to Autocar, is about the same size as the ID Crozz. Yet, inside sources revealed that the rugged new concept would have very different styling than the Crozz. It promises a full-width grille, rectangular headlights, an upright hood and windscreen, and a flat roofline. There reportedly will be abundant use of translucent body materials.

Autocar says that both five-seat and an extended-wheelbase seven-seater will be offered. An off-road variant could feature roof-mounted spotlights.

In a 2017 interview with Car and Driver, VW CEO Herbert Diess hinted at an electric version of an off-road adventure vehicle like the iconic Volkswagen Thing.

The Ruggdzz could represent the same idea and perhaps would be a low-cost competitor to Rivian’s adventure vehicles.

In 2019, the company introduced the ID Buggy (hmm, no z’s) that combines a 62-kWh battery pack with a 201-hp electric motor driving the rear wheels. The ID Buggy is a concept with no firm plans for production.

ID Buggy

ID Buggy

Electrek reached out to Volkswagen to confirm reports about the Ruggdzz. No word yet, but we’ll update this post when VW responds.

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VW starts production of ID.3 electric car, converts factory to EV production

VW has officially started production of the ID.3, its first electric car on the new MEB platform, and it marks the start of the conversion of its massive Zwickau factory from gasoline-powered car production to EV production.

The German automaker unveiled the ID.3, a small electric hatchback, in September earlier this year.

It is offered in different variants, with between 300 and 500 km of range starting at “under $33,000 (€30,000).”

Today, VW announced the official start of production of the ID.3 at its Zwickau plant in Germany.

Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess said at the ceremony for the production start:

The ID.3 will make an important contribution to the breakthrough of e-mobility. It makes clean individual mobility accessible to millions of people and is a milestone for our company on the road to becoming climate-neutral by 2050.

Thomas Ulbrich, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for E-Mobility, added:

The ID.3 is a high-tech car from a high-tech factory. With some 1,700 robots, driverless transport systems and fully automated manufacturing processes, Zwickau gives a contemporary insight into the shape of forward-looking high-volume production of EVs. Ultimately, though, it is the people who build the cars who are the key to success: Our team in Saxony mastered the two-year conversion phase culminating in today’s SOP with much know-how and dedication. An outstanding team achievement!

Before the conversion, the Zwickau factory was producing several variants of the VW Golf, as well as bodies for the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus.

It produces over 250,000 vehicles per year and employs 8,000 people.

Now VW plans to ramp up the plant to produce 100,000 ID.3 as soon as next year, and the number of electric vehicles built in Zwickau will increase to 330,000 units in 2021.

While production is starting right now, VW said that deliveries of the ID/3 won’t start until “summer 2019.”

Source: Electrek

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VW unveils new home ID.Charger station ahead of ID.3 release

Volkswagen is unveiling today a new home charging station wallbox, which is going to be available to purchase way ahead of the release of the ID.3 electric car.

VW doesn’t want to only rely on third-party home charging station manufacturers for its upcoming electric vehicle push.

The German automaker has dozens of electric vehicles coming in the next few years and those are going to need home charging solutions.

VW’s solution is the ‘ID.Charger wallbox’.

They will offer them a range of 3 wallboxes with an 11 kW capability and different connectivity features starting at €399 ($440 USD).

Here’s what the VW ID.Charger looks like:

VW wallbox
VW wallbox 2

Here are all the different versions of the VW ID.Charger:

  • ID. Charger The basic version priced at €399 offers a high-quality and attractively-priced charging solution. The simple operation, fixed Type 2 cable and a charging capacity of up to 11 kW make home charging very convenient. The modern design fits perfectly with the new ID.3. In addition, the compact and robust wallbox also features integrated DC fault current protection for maximum safety along with simple, cost-efficient installation.
  • ID.Charger Connect The intelligent ID. Charger Connect makes charging digital and smart. The wallbox can connect with the home network and the smartphone via WLAN or LAN. LTE connectivity is also available as an optional extra. With this mobile communication technology, customers can keep an eye on use and charging operations and benefit from practical functions such as app management, remote maintenance, access control via charging card and regular software updates. The launch price for the ID. Charger Connect starts at €599.
  • ID.Charger Pro The ID. Charger Pro is the top model in the wallbox series and features an integrated electric meter for precise billing per kilowatt hour on top of the digital functions and the standard equipment LTE module. It thus provides even greater transparency on power requirements, for example enabling a convenient billing process for a company car driver and their employer. The ID. Charger Pro goes on sale at €849. The LTE data costs over the entire lifetime of the wallbox are already included.

VW will open the charging solutions for orders on the Internet or at Volkswagen dealers from the end of November.

Source: Electrek

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Volkswagen unveils the ID.3, its first ‘electric car for the masses’

Volkswagen has rolled out the final version of its first affordable long-range electric car, the ID.3, at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. Coming in at “under €30,000” (about $33,180, currently), the ID.3 will come in three variants that offer between roughly 205 and 340 miles of range. The EV is slated to be delivered in mid-2020.

That “under €30,000” price tag VW is promoting applies to the base model of the ID.3, which has a 45kWh battery and offers 420 kilometers, or 205 miles of range. The company declined to provide pricing information for the two larger capacity variants of the car, which will feature 58kWh and 77kWh batteries, and will respectively offer around 330 and 550 kilometers (or 261 and 340 miles) per charge.THAT “UNDER €30,000” PRICE TAG VW IS PROMOTING APPLIES TO THE BASE MODEL OF THE ID.3

VW says the base version of the ID.3 will only charge at up to 50kW, and owners who want to charge faster (up to 100kW) will have to pay extra; 100kW charging will come standard on the midrange 58kWh version, while even faster 125kW charging will be available on the top-tier ID.3. The company is also offering an eight year / 160,000 kilometer warranty on the ID.3’s battery pack.

The ID.3, which resembles the German automaker’s popular Golf hatchback, has the potential to be a very important car for VW. It will be the first vehicle built on the company’s new modular all-electric platform, one that will power dozens more cars and SUVs that are waiting in the wings as part of the larger Volkswagen Group’s multibillion-dollar push into EVs. (That said, VW has no plans to release the car in the US right now, and it’s also unclear whether the company will sell the car in China.)

The ID.3 is also the first in a lineup of “ID”-branded cars, many of which we’ve already seen in concept form. Over the next few years, VW will release a crossover SUV (the I.D. Crozz), a sedan (the I.D. Vizzion), a larger SUV (the I.D. Roomzz), and will relaunch its iconic microbus and dune buggy as all-electric vehicles (the I.D. Buzz and I.D. Buggy, respectively).

While the ID.3 may resemble an updated Golf from the outside, VW says it will be far roomier on the inside. By removing the internal combustion engine, placing the electric motor right on the rear axle, and putting the batteries in the vehicle’s floor, the automaker is able to extend the cabin forward, thus freeing up previously inaccessible space to the company’s designers.

The result should be a car that’s compact in profile, but feels more comfortable to ride in, and also has more storage than a vehicle of this size. Extra space is a common promise when it comes to EVs, but it may matter even more in a car like the ID.3, which will cost less than almost any other all-electric on the market. VW is likely to hammer on this point as it ramps up to the 2020 release of the car.NOT AS SEVERE AN EXERCISE IN MINIMALISM AS TESLA’S MODEL 3

Inside that more spacious cabin, drivers and passengers will find an interior that is more high-tech than what VW currently offers at lower price points. The central focus is a new 10-inch touchscreen that sits in the middle of the ID.3’s dashboard. But VW has also opted to rely on touch-sensitive buttons throughout the cabin. In fact, the only things that are controlled through physical buttons, VW says, are the windows and the hazard lights. The ID.3’s interior may not be as severe an exercise in minimalism as Tesla’s Model 3, but it’s just as dismissive of physical buttons.

Some other high-tech touches include an optional “augmented reality” heads-up display that projects information onto the ID.3’s windshield, and voice-activated controls that can be triggered by saying “Hello ID.” There’s a wireless charging mat for smartphones, and buyers can upgrade to a Beats-branded stereo package, which VW says “offers an audio atmosphere like at a live concert.”

The ID.3 can also be equipped with keyless entry, and the car’s LED matrix headlights will even “flutter” a set of “eyelids” when the owner approaches, a feature that VW says gives the car a “friendly” and “human” touch.

VW has touted that many of its other I.D.-brand cars will be developed with autonomy in mind, but the ID.3 will go on sale with just a basic set of driver assistance features. Those include automatic emergency braking and lane assist / lane keep functionality.

The ID.3 unveiling comes a few days after VW-subsidiary Porsche revealed its first all-electric sports car, the Taycan. The E-Tron, the first battery-electric SUV from Volkswagen Group-owned Audi, debuted almost a year ago. Together, these vehicles represent the tip of the spear in VW’s effort to dominate the emerging EV market. They’re also crucial in helping VW turn the page on the now-four-year-old Dieselgate scandal, in which VW was accused of installing illegal software in 11 million diesel cars in order to trick emissions tests.

Source: The Verge

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Volkswagen will help turn old Beetles and microbuses electric

Volkswagen has announced a new way for vintage Beetle owners to convert their cars to battery electric power. The automaker is partnering with a German firm called eClassics that will actually perform the retrofits, while VW will provide the batteries and powertrain.

VW says it’s already working on an electric conversion solution for vintage microbuses, too. Beyond that, “[a]n e-Porsche 356 could also be pursued in the future,” board member Thomas Schmall says. The German automaker says it’s even considering how it might use the modular MEB platform that will power many of its forthcoming electric cars in future conversions.

Instead of mating new electric motors and batteries to the cars’ existing drivetrains, as many upstart retrofit shops do, VW is providing eClassics with a new single-speed powertrain borrowed from the automaker’s E-Up! electric city car. The battery will have a total capacity of 36.8 kWh, which VW says should be good for around 200 kilometers (124 miles) of range.80 HORSEPOWER, AND ABOUT 124 MILES OF RANGE

The resulting retrofit Beetles will be able to make about 80 horsepower, and go from 0 to 80 kilometers per hour (about 50 miles per hour) in around eight seconds. And as the folks over at Jalopnik noticed, the weight distribution of the modern electric drivetrain should not only improve handling, but will also free up some storage space.

The German company is not the first automaker to offer a way for owners of vintage cars to convert to electric. Aston Martin announced a “Heritage EV” program in 2018 where owners can convert their classic Astons to electric. Jaguar announced a similar conversion kit effort a few weeks later, which leverages the technology from its first EV, the I-Pace.

These conversions tend not to be cheap, but they’re a particularly interesting option in Europe, where a number of major cities are restricting or outright banning diesel engines from their downtown areas. VW didn’t announce pricing, availability, or mention which models its keen to retrofit, though it did show off an already-converted 1973 Super Beetle convertible, and promised more details at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Tinkerers and small companies have been converting gas cars to electric for years, as we explored in a recent piece about California shops Zelectric Motors and EV West. But now that major automakers are getting on board with the trend, expect to see more projects like these crop up in the near future.

Source: The Verge

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VW to unveil ID3 electric car next week, compares importance to the launch of the Golf

Volkswagen confirmed that it’s going to unveil the ID3, its first electric car built on the MEB platform, next week, and the automaker compares the importance to the launch of the Golf and the Beetle — two vehicles that have been game changers in the auto industry.

We have been seeing camouflaged prototypes of the ID3 for years now, but we have yet to see exactly what the production version looks like.

VW announced today that it will unveil the production version of the ID3 next ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) and the electric vehicle will be displayed at the show from September 10-22.

In a press release today, Volkswagen compared the launch of the vehicle to the Beetle and the Golf:

The ID.3 follows the Beetle and the Golf to introduce the third major chapter of strategic importance for the history of the Volkswagen brand. Back in mid-May, Volkswagen enjoyed a successful launch taking pre-bookings for the ID.3 1st Edition, an exclusive special edition boasting fantastic levels of equipment, limited to a run of just 30,000 vehicles.

Volkswagen says that it will be equipped with the medium-size battery pack option that has a capacity of 58 kWh for a range of 420 km (261 miles) based on the WLTP standard.

The regular production version of the ID.3 will be offered with three different battery pack options.

The 58 kWh represents the mid-range option, and VW will also offer 45 and 77 kWh battery packs:

The standard model will even be available in three variants: with the small battery (45 kWh, net) you will get up to 330 km (WLTP) far, and with the large (77 kWh, net) pack you will get up to 550 km (WLTP) possible. So there is the right model for almost every goal.

It represents between 205 and 342 miles of range based on the WLTP standard, which is known to be a little too generous.

The EPA-rated range should be closer to 185 to 310 miles of range, but it’s irrelevant since it doesn’t look like VW currently has plans to launch the vehicle in the US.

Nonetheless, it’s expected to be an important all-electric vehicle in other markets due to its price.

VW confirmed that they are targeting a based price of “less than €30,000” in Germany, where they need to advertise with the price including VAT.

After incentives, it is expected to be one of the most affordable long-range electric cars on the market.

Electrek’s Take

I would agree that it is as important as the Beetle and the Golf for VW because I think they literally need the car to save the company.

Without mass-produced electric cars, legacy automakers are going to fail.

The VW ID3 is definitely going to be a mass-produced electric car.

It’s going to be produced at VW’s Zwickau factory, which is being completely converted to electric vehicle production within the next two years.

Of course, the vehicle still needs to be good, but I am optimistic. I think it will be, but we will know for sure in just a few days.

Source: Electrek