Volkswagen has dropped a full-size crossover EV concept to battle Tesla’s Model X, with the ID Roomzz show car promised to reach production in China by 2021—hopefully with a less silly name. It features rotating lounge seats covered in an upholstery called AppleSkin, a synthetic leather made in part from waste generated from the production of apple juice, as well as fully autonomous capabilities. VW says the seats can be rotated inward by as much as 25 degrees and fully reclined when the car is driving itself.
The production Roomzz will follow an all-electric ID hatchback and compact crossover scheduled to arrive in 2020, while an EV sedan, dune buggy, and Microbus will come after that. We expect all but the ID hatchback to come to the U.S. VW is in the middle of inventing €30 billion or so (the equivalent of $34 billion) in its massive lineup of planned EVs, which includes as many as 70 distinct models globally within the decade.
The ID Roomzz has a range of as much as 280 miles according to the European test cycle, which is more optimistic than the EPA’s; we estimate the U.S. agency would certify the Roomzz for 220 miles with all else equal. That trails either of the Model X’s available configurations, the Performance (289 miles) and the Long Range (289). The powertrain consists of two electric motors with a total output of 302 horsepower and the ability to accelerate the Roomzz to 62 mph from rest in a claimed 6.6 seconds.
The apple material is joined inside by wood veneers on the doors that allow light to project through, a squared-off steering wheel that incorporates PRND capacitive buttons, and a fully digital dash panel that houses navigation, infotainment, and other functions.
Source: Volkswagen
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