VW Plans All-Electric SUV for China

Volkswagen AG expects to launch a three-row electric SUV in China in 2021 to compete directly with Tesla Inc.’s Model X.

VW unveiled a preproduction form of the ID. Roomzz yesterday ahead of the Shanghai auto show. The vehicle will employ two electric motors (one for each axle) that can propel the car from zero to 100 kph in 6.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 180 kph (112 mph).

The car is powered by an 82-kWh battery with a range of 450 km (280 miles) under Europe’s new WLTP protocol. VW says a high-power, 150 kW direct current charger can replenish 80% of the battery’s capacity in 30 minutes.

All four of the ID Roomzz’s doors will slide open on tracks, as do the second-row doors of a minivan. The front-row doors move forward and the second-row doors move back to provide very easy passenger entry and exit. The prototype replaces the usual outside rearview mirrors with slim camera fixtures that aren’t likely to make it into production.

Inside, the car seats can be rotated 25° inward to provide a more lounge-like atmosphere when the vehicle is in self-driving mode. The seats themselves can be adjusted from upright to reclined positions.

The prototype ID. Roomzz is equipped with a Level 4 version of the IQ.Drive autonomous system VW is developing. A Level 4 system is able to operate sustained and unconditional automated driving under any condition within its design parameters and with no expectation of human input.

VW says the new EV eventually will be offered in markets outside China, but the company didn’t say when.