VW Shows Off Newest Member of I.D. Electric Car Family with Crozz Concept

Volkswagen announces the third of four new self-driving EV concepts.

byRob Stumpf|
VW Shows Off Newest Member of I.D. Electric Car Family with Crozz Concept
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Volkswagen has revealed the third member of its I.D. family of electric vehicles, described as a "smartphone on wheels" by the company itself. This concept, referred to as the I.D. Crozz, arrives as a concept...but VW has plans to start production on a variation of this EV in 2020.

The "CUV" (Volkswagen made sure to take full advantage of acronyms and juxtapose "Crozz" and "SUV" together) has a fully-charged range of 500 kilometers, which in American measurements means you can travel about 310 miles before plugging your car back in. The Crozz's all-wheel-drive system sends 225 kilowatts (300 horsepower) to all four corners and can propel the car to a top speed of 110 miles per hour. No word on the 0-60 mile-per-hour time—either because it's not an important factor with this design, or VW just isn't sure at this time.

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Once you deplete the battery, you can head to one of Volkswagen's 300plus new Dieselgate-funded charging stations to charge your EV. At a 150-kWh charging station, the Crozz's 83-kWh batery can be charged to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes using VW's standard fast-charging system.

“"By 2025, we want to boost annual sales of electric vehicles to one million units. The I.D. CROZZ will play a key role in that.”

Herbert Diess, Chairman of Volkswagen's Board of Management

Previously, Volkswagen had announced two other members of the I.D. family. First up was the I.D. at the Paris Auto Show in 2016, and shortly after, the I.D. Buzz premiered at the Detroit Auto Show. Each model has a futuristic look applied to its exterior and interior styling alike, akin to electric vehicle trends that have been making the vehicles appear to be post-modern in an effort to scream, "I'm new, look at me!"

Of course, the Crozz has an autonomous driving mode, which can be engaged by tapping the "VW" emblem in the middle of the steering wheel for three seconds to allow the vehicle to take control. A fully-digital instrument panel resides behind the steering wheel, which seems to be the norm for most of the electric concepts introduced over the past few weeks, and a large widescreen display is made available for more detailed information.

In 1988, GM took a bold step with Oldsmobile and started shipping the Cutlass Supreme with an optional Heads Up Display (HUD). Volkswagen wants to set the same ingenuity by implementing augmented reality and gesture control into the vehicle's normal operations. With the flick of a wrist, the vehicle's sensors will detect a pre-defined movement and activate the panoramic sunroof.

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The modern look of many electric cars announced over the past few months—the Crozz and rest of the I.D. lineup included—are a very large design shift from the contemporary boxes we drive today. Are these concepts too unusual-looking for the public to accept these EVs as aesthetically pleasing, and not see them as technologically-advanced nightmares? One way or another, the shift to electric cars is happening, and manufacturers are taking full advantage. 

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