The Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion Concept — eyebrow-raising name aside — is an all-electric wagon that just debuted at the 2019 LA Auto Show. It’s built on the MEB platform that underpins all ID. models, from the Vizzion sedan to the Crozz crossover and even the modern Microbus, the appropriately named ID. Buzz, and VW projects this model will achieve up to 300 miles of range on a single charge. Be that as it may, if this is what wagons of the future look like, then sign me up.
We in the TFL office love a good wagon as an alternative to the avalanche of crossovers we’ve seen these past several years. Apart from the way this looks, however, is the powertrain itself. In its LA concept configuration, this is a rear-wheel drive wagon with a single electric motor at the back. Volkswagen says it produces 275 horsepower, though another motor could be easily added in the front to give this ID. Space Vizzion a total output of 355 horsepower. Not only that, but it would also have an estimated torque figure of over 500 lb-ft (406 lb-ft at the back and 111 lb-ft in the front). The cool-looking design is also aerodynamically beneficial, offering the wagon a low drag coefficient of just 0.24.
At 195.2 inches long, 60.2 inches high and 74.7 inches wide, it’s more or less the same size as a Buick Regal TourX. It also has the svelte, low-slung styling to make it a really attractive proposition, if you happen to appreciate wagons. While VW says that there’s just 20.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, that would open up with the rear seats folded away.
Loads of technology
We’re talking about the future here, and with that the conversation always turns to tech. Fortunately, the Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion Concept seems to live up to that expectation with what it has. Right away, the headlining feature in this concept is the 15.6-inch touchscreen display. That offers all the pertinent comfort controls, while the actual driver display takes a much more minimalist approach. That’s because most of the driving information will be displayed through a “highly visible” augmented reality head-up display.
The center console is dominated by long, thin armrest, and is completely devoid of conventional driver controls. The gear selector has been moved to the right-hand column stalk behind the steering wheel, while the wheel itself hosts an array of capacitive touch panels. The ID. Space Vizzion Concept also has features like Smart Climate, which also comes on the new Golf. With it, passengers can say “fresh air” or something similar to engage the climate controls, rather than digging through menus to find the right button.
Electric range
Volkswagen says the ID. Space Vizzion concept can achieve up to 300 miles using the U.S. EPA cycle. That’s possible thanks to an 82-kWh battery pack that’s mounted in the floor of the car. Doing that allows the wagon a low center of gravity and a nearly 50:50 weight distribution, which should also help driving dynamics and range. While the company says fitting 4Motion is a straightforward affair, that will likely impact the overall range, though to what extent an all-wheel drive system would have is unclear at the moment.
The ID. Space Vizzion concept can charge to 80 percent in as little as 30 minutes using a DC fast charging station. The car is capable of 150 kW fast charging and has a net battery capacity of 77 kWh. The last 5 kWh are reserve to keep it from completely running out of charge.
Beyond just shooting for zero emissions, however, VW is also ditching traditional plastic and leather in the ID. Space Vizzion Concept. Instead, the wagon uses what’s called “AppleSkin” material for the seats and decorative inserts. The company says it’s currently possible to replace about 20 percent of the polyurethane used for certain parts with waste material from apple juice production.
More to come from LA
EVs are front and center at this year’s LA Auto Show, with the ID. Space Vizzion Concept as just one example. Other cars like the Ford Mustang Mach-E also aim to take their brands in a new direction. While VW says this car previews a “potential” production car, its other MEB-based models will be here within the next two years.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more news from the 2019 LA Auto Show!
