Volkswagen is expanding its electric ID. product range with a multi-variable all-round model: the new ID. ROOMZZ. A zero-emission SUV in the five metre category. Following the more compact ID. CROZZ, Volkswagen introduced the second concept SUV in a completely new generation of electric vehicles. The series version of the ID. ROOMZZ, which is equally suitable for families and business use, is scheduled to take to the road from 2021. Volkswagen will present the concept car as part of a world première at Auto Shanghai (18 to 26 April) in an homage to China, currently the largest market for zero-emission vehicles. The new SUV means Volkswagen is setting the pace for its e-mobility offensive, as part of which it is releasing the ID. family, a new range of progressive electric vehicles with the range of today’s petrol-powered vehicles. Alongside the ID. ROOMZZ, the ID. CROZZ and the compact ID. (all set to have a market début in 2020), other members of this new electric vehicle family include the iconic ID. BUZZ van and the avant-garde saloon ID. VIZZION (both will make their market début in 2022). The Geneva International Motor Show in March was a chance for Volkswagen to unveil its new ID. BUGGY, an open beach cruiser that could be released as part of small series production with external partners. As is the case with all ID. models, the new ID. ROOMZZ is based on the innovative modular electric drive matrix (MEB).
Seamlessly refined design. The SUV’s bodywork adopts the clear, homogeneous lines of the rest of the ID. family. At the same time, the team led by Volkswagen head designer Klaus Bischoff has given the ID. ROOMZZ all the personality it needs. Even better: The concept car breaks new ground in the large SUV segment thanks to its many practical details. The seamless transitions between individual bodywork parts and levels are an important, unique selling point; the precise, refined design results in perfect aerodynamics and provides a homogeneous, clear view of all areas. Klaus Bischoff: “This SUV is a monolith, appearing to be seamlessly machined from solid metal. The ID ROOMZZ. effortlessly moves around using the power of electricity - silently and without emissions.” In addition, the design features an extremely powerful, stylish dynamic. The front and rear shoulders in the bodywork are particularly striking, as they are created by two notably muscular and precise sections above the wings.
Drive and be driven. The concept car is designed with a new interior and seating concept. Klaus Bischoff again: “The ID. ROOMZZ shows us what we can expect from full-size electric SUVs in the future. The puristic look emphasises the clear function and the user experience is intuitive and natural.” The vehicle interior also provides a new spectrum of variability and customisability, ensuring that both the seating options and the driving mode meet the personal requirements of the passengers and driver. Background: The ID. ROOMZZ combines its IQ.DRIVE systems, enabling the concept car to navigate traffic all by itself (fully automated) as desired. Volkswagen is consolidating all assistance systems and technologies involved in autonomous driving under the umbrella brand IQ.DRIVE. It is simple to switch from the manual “ID. Drive” mode to the fully automated “ID. Pilot” mode: All the driver has to do is place their hand on the VW logo on the steering wheel for at least five seconds – from this moment on, the computer of the ID. ROOMZZ assumes control of the vehicle. The new “IQ. steering system” developed by Volkswagen engineers disconnects the steering column, moves the steering wheel to its off-position and thereby provides more space in the cockpit area. When the driver wants to reassume control, they again press on the VW logo. The steering wheel now moves out again and is synchronised with the position of the wheels. Important: Only when the driver touches the capacitive steering wheel, is the steering column reintegrated into the steering system – from this moment on, the driver must steer the vehicle themselves. In this way, maximum safety can be guaranteed when transferring vehicle control from person to machine and back again.
New configuration options. The fully automated mode (level 4) allows completely new configuration options for the integrated seats, which effectively turn the interior into a lounge. Overall, there are three different seating modes en route that correspond to the relevant driving mode. In the manual “ID. Drive“ mode, the seats are covered with the new “AppleSkinä” (artificial leather that contains 20 % vegetable matter), typically face forward while the backrests are up. If the driver switches to the fully automated “ID. Pilot” mode, each seats can be rotated inward 25 degrees to enable a more communicative lounge-like atmosphere on board. When driving is fully automated, the driver can activate “ID. Pilot Relax” mode, in which every passenger can tailor the position of their seat to suit them – it can be moved from a standing to a reclined position in this mode. The series version of the ID. ROOMZZ will have up to seven seats.
Floating dash panel. The ROOMZZ is not fitted with a conventional dash panel. In the manual “ID. Drive” mode, the digital cockpit appears to hover in front of the driver along with the steering wheel. The digital cockpit consists of a full glass-front panel. The digitalised steering wheel is conceptually integrated into the panel. As well as sensitive touch-screen areas, it has a 5.8-inch display that shows relevant information such as navigation instructions in autonomous mode. There is also an AR head-up display, Due to Augmented Reality (AR), the head-up display projects navigation instructions in the virtual space in front of the ID. ROOMZZ, enabling the system to show pictograms such as an arrow sign in the visual field where the driver has to turn off. The new “ID. Light” is also integrated beneath the windscreen – this is an interactive light strip between the A-pillars through which the driver and guests obtain additional information. Information regarding the assistance systems, navigation, and air quality (CleanAir system) are displayed via the light effects in this LED strip. At the same time, corresponding information is provided via “ID. Light” in the doors and roof area to provide the front-seat passenger and passengers in the back with information.
225 kW system output and all-wheel drive. The ID. ROOMZZ is powered by two electric motors. The front coaxial drive generates 75 kW while the rear electric motor generates 150 kW. The combination of both motors results in a system output of 225 kW. The rear axle provides propulsion as standard. An “electric propshaft” distributes the power of the 4MOTION four-wheel drive between the front and rear axles within fractions of a second once this becomes necessary due to driving dynamics. In addition, the ID. ROOMZZ can be continuously driven in four-wheel drive mode. Both motors are supplied with energy by a lithium-ion battery in the vehicle floor. The battery has an energy content of 82 kWh. The ID. ROOMZZ can accelerate to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds; the maximum speed is capped at 180 km/h. The range of the concept car in the NEFZ cycle (China) is up to 475 kilometres, while in the European WLTP cycle the maximum range is 450 kilometres. The battery is charged via an inductive interface. Conventional charging via a plug is also possible.