At the Auto Shanghai 2017 international show, Volkswagen presents the I.D. CROZZ, its first electrically powered crossover utility vehicle —a four-door coupe and sport utility vehicle in one. Following the headline-grabbing world debuts of the I.D. in Paris in 2016 and I.D. BUZZ in Detroit in 2017, this is the third version of the I.D. family. It is also a zero-emissions vehicle with a very long range, charismatic design and a completely new interior concept.
The I.D. CROZZ has 302 horsepower, a top speed of 112 mph and can cover up to 311 miles on one battery charge. Using a 150 kW fast charger, the high- performance battery can be 80 percent recharged within 30 minutes.
The clear and powerful design of the I.D. CROZZ combines the rugged look of an SUV with the elegance of a coupe. Pronounced fenders and strongly contoured wheelarches frame a silhouette that’s similar to a sports car’s. The hood, meanwhile, is sharp cut and muscular. On top of this base is a roof that makes the car appear agile even when stationary. A fine stripe in the car’s body color borders the roof on each side. The solid roof supports, meanwhile, remain almost invisible.
Volkswagen’s signature electric mobility lighting is integrated into the front section, with an illuminated VW badge mounted centrally between hood and bumper. It joins up to the left and right with the interactive LED headlights via a fine, striking line of light.
A new feature is a movable light blind in the illuminated panoramic roof that creates ambient lighting both inside and on the exterior. The stylish rear and broad shoulder section look powerful, while the width of the car is also emphasized by a gloss black area across the rear section with thin LED matrix taillights and an illuminated VW badge.
The I.D. CROZZ is operated via self-explanatory touch displays, capacitive keypads, and voice and gesture control. The digital hub is formed by the electrically adjustable and retractable multifunction steering wheel, an Active Info Display, an electronic rear-view mirror (e-Mirror), the augmented reality head-up display, and a door panel.
One new feature on this vehicle is the light blind integrated into the illuminated panoramic roof. This virtual blind is opened and closed by gesture control. A carpet of light produced by LED strips then glides across the roof liner, thus brightening up the interior. The strips of light in the roof are visible from the outside, too. The gesture control system’s commands are similar to those for a traditional sliding roof: a short, sharp movement of the hand opens or closes the blind completely, while a slow gesture on the other hand moves the carpet of light seamlessly until it reaches the desired position.
The I.D. CROZZ is also able to send and receive packages, while out and about. The 18.2 cubic foot trunk acts as the post box for this new delivery service: an agent is able to locate the car by GPS and is granted temporary permission to open the trunk via an app. The owner of the I.D. CROZZ is then notified via an app or e-mail as soon as the parcel has been delivered.
Activating the fully automatic ‘I.D. Pilot’ mode is incredibly simple: all the driver has to do is deliberately touch the VW logo on the steering wheel for three seconds and the I.D. CROZZ assumes control. The interior ambient lighting then switches from a white light (‘Drive’) that aids concentration to a warm, relaxed ‘magenta/violet’. At the same time, the distribution of ambient lighting is extended to the rear seating area.
By this point, the CUV has long since activated its laser scanners. Four of them emerge from the roof in ‘I.D. Pilot’ mode. The cleanly styled roof sensors call attention to the fully autonomous mode by indirect lighting. The I.D. CROZZ is able to detect other road users not only by means of its laser sensors, but also with the help of ultrasonic and radar sensors, side area view cameras and a front camera.
Fully autonomous mode is deactivated by touching the Volkswagen logo on the steering wheel or by pressing the brake or accelerator pedal.
all images courtesy of Volkswagen