VW Previews Electric Crossover

Volkswagen AG plant to present a concept version of its first all-electric crossover next week at the Shanghai auto show.

Teaser images of the vehicle reveal narrow headlamps and rear brake lamps and illuminated VW emblems front and back. VW said in January it intends to put the model into production in about five years.

VW describes the all-wheel-drive vehicle, which uses VW’s “MEB” platform, as a blend of four-door coupe and SUV. The crossover is the third in a series of concepts indicating models to be added to the company’s upcoming “I.D.” sub-brand of self-driving-equipped electrics. The company unveiled the second I.D. concept, the Buzz microbus, at the Detroit auto show in January.

VW promises the electric crossover will have a drive range comparable with today’s piston-powered cars. Not clear is whether the production model will come equipped with autonomous driving capabilities.

Concept switches to autonomous driving when the operator presses a VW badge on the steering wheel. This activates the system and retracts the steering wheel into the instrument panel. The car then functions automatically with the help of laser scanners, cameras and radar sensors.