Shanghai Auto Show: VW shows I.D. ROOMZZ electric SUV concept.

This week at the Shanghai Auto show, Volkswagen unveiled its latest addition to the I.D. battery-electric vehicle family–the I.D. ROOMZZ.

**Concept cars are designed for easy entrance**

The I.D. ROOMZZ is a VW Atlas-sized all-electric full-sized SUV with three rows of seats based on Volkswagen’s global modular electric drive (MEB) platform. The concept version shown in Shanghai showcases VW’s all-electric full-sized SUV and VW’s latest smart in-car technologies.

“This SUV is a monolith, appearing to be seamlessly machined from one solid block. The battery-powered I.D. ROOMZZ moves effortlessly–silently-and without emissions,” says Klaus Bischoff, chief designer at the Volkswagen brand.

**VW’s electric MEB platform gets another application**

The I.D. ROOMZZ concept showcases Volkswagen’s direction for autonomous vehicles through the I.D. Drive system. This system can provide fully autonomous (Level 4) capabilities that give the ROOMZZ the ability to glide fully automatically through traffic using I.D. Pilot mode. When the driver switches to fully autonomous drive mode, the individual seats can be rotated inward by 25 degrees to enable a more communicative, lounge-like atmosphere on board, and the I.D. Pilot Relax mode allows each passenger to adjust their seat individually to suit their needs. In this mode, the seat can be moved from an upright to a reclined position.

The ROOMZZ does not have a conventional dashboard but features a full-length door-to-door digital cockpit screen for information and entertainment content in this lounge on wheels. The concept ROOMZZ has four sliding suicide doors, but it is unlikely these doors will make production.

The materials used in the interior are also unusual. The seat covers, for example, are made of AppleSkin™, manufactured from renewable raw material collected from the processing of apple juice. Specially processed wooden veneers compliment the “I.D. light” areas of the door panels. The HVAC system uses an active filter system to ensure that the air in the vehicle interior remains clean, regardless of the condition of the ambient atmosphere.

**The ROOMZZ has plenty of room inside**

With its 82-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, the I.D. ROOMZZ boasts a range of up to 280 miles (450 kilometers) under WLTP standards or 295 miles (475 km) under the NEDC standard in China. Recharging to 80 percent takes about half an hour with Volkswagen’s 150-kW DC fast-charging system. The ROOMZZ concept has been designed with space to have an even larger battery installed if needed.

The VW I.D. ROOMZZ features an electrified version of 4motion technology with two electric motors driving both axles full-time with a total output of 302 horsepower (225 kW). The I.D. ROOMZZ is GTI fast and can accelerate to 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.6 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h). As is the case with all E-cars, the maximum torque is available from the very start.

The production version of the ROOMZZ, along with the I.D. Crozz and Compact I.D., is scheduled to be introduced in 2020, initially in China, which is the largest market for zero-emissions vehicles in the world. A global rollout will follow in 2021-2022. For the SUV-crazy U.S. market, Volkswagen is targeting electric vehicle production at its Chattanooga plant; it can’t come soon enough for us.