Shanghai show: Volkswagen rolls out third EV concept

VOLKSWAGEN has used its appearance at the Shanghai motor show to display the third concept based on the company’s forthcoming MEB electric vehicle architecture.

The ID Crozz takes the form of a coupe crossover, and it is set to enter production in three year’s time.

“By 2025, we want to boost annual sales of electric vehicles to one million units. The ID Crozz will play a key role in that. Production will begin in 2020," Volkswagen’s chairman of the board of management Herbert Diess said at the vehicle’s unveiling ahead of the show.

As GoAuto has reported, VW has been negotiating a deal with Chinese giant JAC Motor since September last year to develop EVs for the Chinese market, which will also have the effect of accelerating development in key areas such as battery technology.

The five-door, four-seat ID Crozz has a claimed range of 500km, a top speed of 180km/h, offers 225kW of power from an 83kWh battery array, and its DC charging infrastructure is capable of adding 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes with a 150kW charger, according to VW.

The hatch-shaped ID, which debuted at the Paris show last year, offers 125kW and 600km of range by way of comparison, while the ID Buzz – based on the idea of a Kombi van – touts 275kW and a 600km range via a larger 111kWh battery array and stronger motors front and rear.

The powertrain of the Crozz comprises two electric motors the front axle motor offers 75kW and the rear contributes 150kW. VW says the Crozz will be able to dash to 100km/h in less than six seconds.

A relatively traditional MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension layout will give the ID EVs ‘GTI-like handling’, according to the company. The 4625mm crossover is actually more than 300mm shorter than the ID Buzz, which was revealed at this year’s Detroit motor show.

VW has also revealed more details of its autonomous ID Pilot system, which will use lasers scanners at all four corners of the car to provide level three autonomy for the Crozz . It is expected the system will debut in fossil fuel-powered versions of the company’s forthcoming Phateon/Phideon and Arteon sedans.

While the parent company is turning up the heat under the idea of an electrified future, the local arm of the company is less certain about the impact of EVs in the Australian market.

“VW clearly has immense capability in the EV sector and it’s developing it even further,” Volkswagen Group Australia general manager of corporate communications Paul Pottinger told GoAuto. “We are ready as a company – but is Australia ready for it as a country.”

Volkswagen Australia currently has no electric cars in its line-up however, GoAuto understands that the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid is still under consideration for a local launch later in 2017.