H Volkswagen παρουσίασε επίσημα το I.D Concept, το πολυαναμενόμενο ηλεκτρικό πρωτότυπο που θα κάνει το παγκόσμιο ντεμπούτο του στην έκθεση του Παρισιού που ανοίγει αύριο τις πύλες της. Η γερμανική εταιρία δηλώνει πως το πρωτότυπο είναι τόσο επαναστατικό, όσο ήταν το Beetle πριν από επτά δεκαετίας, προτού εξελιχθεί στο best-seller μοντέλο του προηγούμενου αιώνα.
Οι πίσω πόρτες είναι συρόμενες, με το παρμπρίζ να επεκτείνεται και στην οροφή, εκεί όπου υπάρχουν τέσσερα κυκλικά στοιχεία τα οποία είναι ραντάρ αυτόνομης οδήγησης. Το πρωτότυπο θα έχει παρόμοιο μέγεθος με το Golf, αλλά η VW υπόσχεται το μινιμαλιστικό εσωτερικό του να είναι περίπου τόσο μεγάλο όσο αυτό του Passat. Το πρωτότυπο μας δείχνει το πως θα μοιάζει η έκδοση παραγωγής, η οποία θα κατασκευαστεί πάνω στην αρθρωτή MEB πλατφόρμα της VW και θα περάσει στη παραγωγή το 2020. Η νέα πλατφόρμα σχεδιάστηκε αποκλειστικά για τα ηλεκτρικά της μοντέλα που χρησιμοποιούν μπαταρίες ιόντων- λιθίου, με το VW I.D Concept να έχει αυτονομία 600 χλμ.
Κινείται με έναν ηλεκτροκινητήρα απόδοσης 170 ίππων (125 kW), με την εταιρία να μην αποκαλύπτει τη χωρητικότητα των μπαταριών του, αλλά να αναφέρει ότι όταν το αυτοκίνητο θα περάσει στην παραγωγή, θα πωλείται με πολλαπλά πακέτα μπαταριών, κατά τα πρότυπα της Tesla, με αυτονομία που θα ξεκινάει από τα 400 χιλιόμετρα μέχρι τα 600 χιλιόμετρα για την κορυφαία έκδοση.
Οι μπαταρίες με την ελάχιστη αυτονομία των 400 χιλιομέτρων αναμένεται να τις δούμε στα μίνι και στα μικρά αυτοκίνητα της εταιρείας, ενώ οι μπαταρίες με την μεγαλύτερη αυτονομία των 600 χιλιομέτρων θα είναι διαθέσιμες για τα μεγαλύτερα μοντέλα της και ίσως την δούμε και στο ηλεκτρικό SUV που ετοιμάζει.
Το πρωτότυπο έχει μήκος 4,1 μέτρα, 15,2 εκατ. μικρότερο από το Golf, έχοντας ωστόσο 12,7 εκατοστά μεγαλύτερο μεταξόνιο. Στο εσωτερικό με ια υπερ-μινιμαλιστική προσέγγιση, το μόνο φυσικό κουμπί είναι αυτό των αλάρμ, ενώ αντί για επιλογέα ταχυτήτων συναντάμε κουμπιά στο κάτω μέρος του ταμπλό (Park, Reverse, Neutral και Drive).
Η VW μέχρι το 2020 που θα περάσει στην παραγωγή το πρώτο της ηλεκτρικό αυτοκίνητο, θέλει να καταφέρει να μειώσει σημαντικά το κόστος παραγωγής και κατασκευής των ηλεκτρικών αυτοκινήτων σε σχέση με αυτό που είναι σήμερα. Οι μειώσεις αυτές θα φέρουν οφέλη στους καταναλωτές, αφού θα μπορούν να αγοράσουν ηλεκτρικά αυτοκίνητα σε πιο προσιτές τιμές, οι οποίες θα κυμαίνονται στα ίδια επίπεδα με τα συμβατικά βενζινοκίνητα ή ντίζελ αυτοκίνητα. Στόχος της VW είναι να πουλά 30 ηλεκτρικά αυτοκίνητα μέχρι το 2025, με το ένα τρίτο των συνολικών πωλήσεων της να αποτελείται από ηλεκτρικά μοντέλα. H VW ανακοίνωσε πως θα δημιουργήσει μια νέα εταιρία, την 13η του VW Group, η οποία θα προσθέσει και υπηρεσίες κινητικότητας με τη μορφή carpooling σε συνεργασία με την Gett, παρόμοια με εκείνες των Uber και Lyft. Η 13η μάρκα του VW Group έχει ως στόχο να γίνει ο ηγέτης στη παροχή υπηρεσιών αστικής κινητικότητας έως το 2025. Το όνομα της εταιρίας θα ανακοινωθεί τον Νοέμβριο.
To I.D θέτει τα θεμέλια για να γίνει ο παγκόσμιος ηγέτης της αγοράς ηλεκτρικών αυτοκινήτων, όταν θα περάσει στην αγορά το 2020, με τις μπαταρίες να είναι τοποθετημένες στο δάπεδο και τον ηλεκτροκινητήρα στον πίσω άξονα, εκεί όπου βρίσκεται και η κίνηση. Το σύστημα αυτόνομης οδήγησης ID Pilot θα είναι διαθέσιμο στην αγορά από το 2025 και θα ενεργοποιείται με το άγγιγμα του λογότυπου της VW στο τιμόνι, με το αυτό να εξαφανίζεται μέσα στο ταμπλό, προσφέροντας έτσι στον οδηγό περισσότερο χώρο. Το I.D Concept δεν έχει κλειδί, μιας και αυτό έχει αντικατασταθεί από ένα smartphone που λειτουργεί ως Ψηφιακό Κλειδί, με την VW να ετοιμάζει και το Volkswagen ID, έναν cloud λογαριασμό-προσωπικό προφίλ (Volkswagen Automotive Cloud) που θα αποθηκεύει δεκάδες πληροφορίες, όπως προσωπικές ρυθμίσεις για το κάθισμα και τον έλεγχο του κλιματισμού, αγαπημένους ραδιοφωνικούς σταθμούς, λίστες αναπαραγωγής, ρυθμίσεις του συστήματος ήχου, στοιχεία επικοινωνίας κτλ.
Στις σχετικές ειδήσεις, ο Herbert Diess πρόεδρος της VW δήλωσε πως εξετάζουν αν πρέπει να αυξήσουν την διαθέσιμη γκάμα τους στις Η.Π.Α προκειμένου να αποκατασταθεί η φήμη της εταιρίας, ενώ στο περίπτερο της VW στο Παρίσι βρίσκεται και το e-Golf Touch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keBLtJEdMu8&feature=youtu.be
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Think New. – Iconic design study with the potential to define history
Volkswagen’s theme at this year’s Paris Motor Show is “Think New.”: with the world debut of an iconic design study, Volkswagen signals the brand’s entry into a new era. The vehicle is as revolutionary as the Beetle was seven decades ago before it evolved into the world’s best-selling car of the century. The concept car has the potential to make history with its completely new vehicle concept. The production vehicle which follows will be the first Volkswagen to hit the market based on the new Modular electric Drive kit (MEB).
Volkswagen Group places itself on even broader footing for automobile future
• “TOGETHER – Strategy 2025” creates important impetus for the future with e-mobility, digitalization and mobility services
• New business field becomes 13th Group brand
• Matthias Müller: “We are creating a new Volkswagen that is tackling the fields of future importance with determination. Our new Group brand is to rank among the leading mobility services providers and become the market leader in Europe by 2025.”
• Michael Mauer: “We are systematically focusing on our customers, their wishes and requirements for the mobility of the future. The Volkswagen Group Future Centers give us the opportunity to conceptualize and develop new ideas of mobile life.”
The Volkswagen Group is systematically moving forward with its transition to the mobility world of tomorrow initiated by the “TOGETHER – Strategy 2025” program for the future. The Group presented its next steps on the road to becoming a globally leading provider of sustainable mobility on the eve of the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris. Matthias Müller, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, commented: “A great deal has changed at Volkswagen over the last 12 months. We want to harness this momentum. We are therefore making the new mobility services business field our 13th Group brand. That underscores just how essential we believe this business is.”
The Volkswagen Group is tackling the fields of future importance with great determination, focusing on connecting the automobile and the digital world, and on the fundamental transformation in drive technology that will take place over the coming two decades. The Volkswagen Group will develop and build more than 30 new additional electric vehicles by 2025. The Volkswagen brand’s I.D. concept car with a range of up to 600 kilometers provides a first glimpse at the Paris Motor Show. Porsche is showcasing the Panamera E-Hybrid in Paris, the first of 17 new plug-in hybrids the Group will be introducing over the next two years. “The breakthrough for e-mobility cannot be achieved without substantial progress in batteries and infrastructure. So we are working hard on a rapid-charging project spearheaded by Porsche”, Matthias Müller said.
The Group has also launched new initiatives in the field of mobility on demand: an independent business unit has now been established for the new mobility services business field, the Group’s 13th brand. In addition to ride hailing services in collaboration with the partner Gett, the team is already working on the Group’s own shuttle service offerings and sharing concepts for urban mobility. “Looking a little further ahead, we could also operate our own self-driving shuttle fleets once urban autonomous driving technology is ready”, Matthias Müller said. He added: “In future, many people will no longer own a car. But they can all be a Volkswagen customer in one way or another – because we will serve a much broader concept of mobility than is the case today.” By 2025, the new brand is to rank among the leading providers of urban mobility services and become the market leader in Europe. The official launch and the announcement of the new name are scheduled for this November.
With regard to mobility services, the partnership with Gett is also gathering momentum. In Moscow, where the market for ride hailing via app is booming, Volkswagen Group brands are now offering attractive vehicle packages to Gett drivers. Furthermore, a strategic partnership with the city of Hamburg to develop and test new concepts for urban mobility was recently concluded. In addition, Audi’s new partnerships with the Chinese internet providers Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent will drive advances in networking the brand’s cars and in intelligent urban mobility solutions.
Mobility of the future: new freedoms for design
One important area of the Volkswagen Group that is closely involved in the future-oriented fields of e-mobility, digitalization or new mobility services is design. Michael Mauer, Head of Group Design, commented: “I am convinced that design will be a key factor in deciding which car brands are to survive in the future.”
Michael Mauer explained the significance of design: “The mobility world of tomorrow gives us designers entirely new creative possibilities. Electric drives and autonomous driving remove many obstacles and change design more radically than has been the case in recent decades.” He went on to say: “Moreover, key distinctive characteristics such as the sound of an engine are no longer relevant, so design becomes all the more important as a unique selling proposition.”
Design creates character, distinctiveness and an emotional bond – not just to the product, but also to a brand. “While the brands need to focus more strongly on their individual identities, the Group can adopt the role of a bold pioneer going forward”, Mauer said, adding: “In future, too, it is not fitness for purpose but beauty that decides whether a car commands a top price at auctions.” Some 1,300 designers from 44 nations in the Volkswagen Group are working on the streetscape of the future.
“We are systematically focusing on our customers, their wishes and requirements for the mobility of the future. Designers, user experience experts and digitalization specialists work hand-in-hand at the Volkswagen Group Future Centers to reinvent the car and develop new ideas for mobile life”, Mauer said, adding that no one could say today how fast this transformation will actually be.
Mauer sees the Volkswagen Group’s multi-brand strategy as a great advantage for the future development of mobility: “Some brands will forge ahead with design and technology and others will benefit from that, so we can adapt flexibly to needs and developments. But that does not mean we will have uniform autonomous vehicles. The streetscape of the future will become even more varied, even more colorful, even more emotional.”
Electric drives and classic powertrains will coexist
“Regardless of all the new opportunities and possibilities the mobility world of tomorrow opens up for us, we must not neglect our existing technologies and core competences”, Matthias Müller underscored: “The future is electric. Nevertheless, classic powertrains will continue to play a key role for the next two decades at least. We must and we will press ahead with the evolution of diesel and petrol engines. And at the same time, we will progress with alternative technologies.”
Commenting on the diesel issue on the eve of the Paris Motor Show, Matthias Müller said: “‘Diesel’ is and will remain an incisive turning point, a pivotal event in our history. We are working with all available resources to get to the roots of this crisis and work our way through all of the issues. And we have made substantial progress in this regard in recent months. However, shaping a sustainable future for Volkswagen is at least as important.”
Consequently, the Volkswagen Group is strengthening its sustainability management and setting up a Sustainability Council with nine eminent international personalities from the sciences, politics and society. The Council will advise the Group Board of Management on matters relating to sustainable mobility, environmental protection, social responsibility and integrity. The constituent meeting will take place at the end of October.
Volkswagen at 2016 Paris International Motor Show: World premiere of the visionary I.D. concept car
The I.D. is the first in a completely new generation of highly innovative electric vehicles from Volkswagen
The zero-emission vehicle to already launch on market in 2020
Fully automated “I.D. Pilot” driving mode starting in 2025
I.D. lays the foundation to become global market leader in electric mobility
Volkswagen Showcar I.D. Volkswagen Showcar I.D.
Think New! Under this guiding principle, and with a visionary electric vehicle, Volkswagen is offering a fascinating outlook on the mobility of tomorrow at the Paris International Motor Show (1 –16 October). The world premiere of the I.D. is the focal point of the company’s show appearance. The zero-emission I.D. will already be going into production in 2020, and it will kick off a new generation of innovative electric vehicles.
Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand explained: “In 2020 we will begin to introduce an entire family of electric vehicles on the market. All of them will be based on a new vehicle architecture which was specially and exclusively developed for all-electric vehicles. Not for combustion engine or plug-in hybrid vehicles. The I.D. stands for this new era of all-electric vehicles, for a new automotive era: electrical, connected and autonomously driving.”
Volkswagen’s show appearance in Paris unites all three phases which together show the way from the present to the future: the I.D. presents the world of “the day after tomorrow”. The latest generation e-Golf – which celebrates its world premiere in November – presents the world of tomorrow. Equipped with gesture control and a zero-emission range of up to 300 kilometres, the new e-Golf will set standards. The world of today is embodied in highly advanced Volkswagens like the new Tiguan. It already guarantees customers a fascinating digital experience in the current generation model with such technologies as the Active Info Display and head-up display.
Volkswagen is giving a new direction with the I.D. It will be the first Volkswagen on the market to be based on the newly developed Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB). The I.D. is positioned as a compact electric car with which Volkswagen aims to expand its range of high-volume models in parallel to best-sellers such as the Polo, Golf, Tiguan and Passat. The I.D. will be powered by a 125 kW / 170 PS electric motor. Offering a range of up to 600 kilometres and a price on the level of today’s Golf with comparable power, the I.D. will make the “zero emissions” theme a natural aspect of everyday driving.
The I.D. shows a completely new Volkswagen design language for electric vehicles of the compact class. What is known as the Open Space Concept has been implemented for the first time in its interior. Somewhat shorter than a Golf, the I.D. offers the generous space of a Passat. This was made possible by the new drive concept architecture with an electric motor on the rear axle and a high-voltage battery in the vehicle floor, which enables more space and flexibility. At the same time, the I.D. already bridges over to the year 2025: the I.D. is the first Volkswagen concept car to be fully autonomous in the “I.D. Pilot” mode. The “I.D. Pilot” is activated by touching the VW logo on the steering wheel, which then disappears into the instrument panel and gives the driver an entirely new feeling of space.
The conventional car key has been retired in the I.D. Instead, a smartphone will be used as a “Digital Key” to open the car and enable the vehicle to start. The idea behind it: in the near future, individuals who drive a Volkswagen will get their own “Volkswagen ID”. This ID is an individual profile that stores such information as personal seat and climate control settings, favourite radio stations and play lists, settings of the sound system, contact data for friends and business partners and the navigation system configuration. This profile is called up via the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud.
The I.D. is the ambassador of the new Volkswagen product strategy that is based on four fields of innovation:
• Smart Sustainability – Volkswagen is advancing the development of innovative high-volume electric car models;
• Automated Driving – Volkswagen will make cars even safer and more comfortable by means of automated driving;
• Intuitive Usability – Volkswagen focuses on vehicles that are intuitive to operate and feature new display and control concepts;
• Connected Community – In the future, Volkswagen will interconnect humans, cars and the environment via a Volkswagen user identity.
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