Volkswagen is set to unveil a new large electric SUV, called the ID Roomzz, at this month’s Shanghai motor show, as it prepares the next wave of its electric ID range.
The ID Roomzz, first revealed by Autocar in December, is a luxurious seven-seat premium offering designed to rival the Tesla Model X. Volkswagen sources say that it has already been approved for production and it is due to launch in selected markets (including the US and China) in 2022.
The German carmaker has also confirmed that the concept will preview Level 4 autonomous driving features in a system called ID Pilot. Level 4 is the stage whereby a driver still needs to be present, but the car has full control, majority of the time.
The ID Roomzz – previously codenamed ID Lounge – will be the fifth mainstream model to be revealed from the marque’s ID line-up, all of which are based on the Volkswagen Group’s new MEB electric platform. The production version of the ID hatch will be launched later this year, followed by that of the ID Crozz SUV, ID Buzz MPV, ID Buzz Cargo van and ID Vizzion sedan.
Several more ID machines are under development. According to sources, these include an ID Crozz coupé variant and an estate version of the ID Vizzion. An even larger SUV has been tipped to make its debut at December’s Los Angeles motor show. This SUV shares its platform with the long-wheelbase version of the ID Buzz and offers a range of at least 596km from a 111kWh battery. Volkswagen is also working on a smaller electric ‘people’s car.’
In the build-up to the launch of the ID hatch, Volkswagen will also confirm its naming plan for the ID range. Recent trademark applications suggest that, instead of using the concept names, machines will be numbered from ID 1 to ID 10. Sporting models will be given additional GTX identification – a nod to VW's GTI badge.
The ID Roomzz will be a key vehicle for Volkswagen’s ambitions in China and the US. Closely related to the ID Crozz, it will feature three rows of seats, with accommodation for up to seven passengers. A VW insider calls it a “marvel in packaging”, claiming it is similar in size to the Tiguan Allspace, albeit with more interior space than the Touareg. The Tiguan Allspace is 4,701mm long, while the Touareg measures 4,878mm.
The ID Roomzz's close technical relationship with the ID Crozz is confirmed by the models sharing the internal codename VW316. The ID Roomzz will feature individual exterior and interior styling, and it will have a longer wheelbase and wider track to increase passenger space.
The model will be offered in China with two different styling treatments, with Volkswagen developing a version for each of its long-established joint ventures with the FAW Group and SAIC.
In addition to figuring heavily in its plans for China, the ID Lounge is set to play a key role in Volkswagen’s future electric vehicle strategy in the US. Sources suggest the ID Lounge could be produced alongside the ID Crozz and ID Crozz coupé at Volkswagen’s US manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which is currently gearing up to produce MEB cars.
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Suraj Viswanathan
Glenn Noronha
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