Going green is the norm these days with all that we do. Most manufacturers are switching to battery-operated vehicles or Electric Vehicles (EVs) with the aim of providing fast, revolutionary and sustainable mobility which provide a more involving experience on the whole. Being quick off the line and eerily hushed while doing high-speed mile munching is a different feeling for many as gasoline cars are still in greater numbers against EVs. However, till now, the development has gained ground only in mid and upper segment mobility. There was a need to democratise the infrastructure to support budget-end EVs. These would be the ideal solutions to not only switch to a better source of private transportation, but would also be within reach of the masses. Only this would allow us to eradicate the opprobrium of global warming and ensure a larger section of the global population has the opportunity to contribute to the planet.
Bearing such thoughts in mind, VW, the “people’s car” maker has come up with the most affordable EV that will be priced around 20,000 euros and could be launched as early as 2025, two years before the target. The concept was shown at the prestigious IAA Motor Show in Munich and shares some delicious details on what the brand’s most affordable electric contraption has in store for us. Will it create the same legacy as the Beetle once did or will it be just another alternative to the likes of the Honda E Concept and the Hyundai Ioniq 5?
On the face of it, it’s a Fabian but smart looking car. It is thoughtfully boxy for butch presence on the road. Closed mesh grille, neatly integrated LED lights and dual tone theme of black and white colours loan it a mature yet youthful vibe. The funky looking wheels and door handles integrated into the body are other touches worth taking notice of. In essence, it is a pared-down design where segmenting between the body, glass surfaces and roof is done for a pure appearance. What sets it apart from others in this segment is a removable roof made of air chamber textile. This means one can have more fun experiencing the car with wind in the hair. Removing the roof reduces its mass by a considerable degree and can help improve acceleration timings and efficiency.
It comes powered by a 172 kW (234 PS) electric motor helping it rise to the ton mark in just 6.7 seconds. This has also been made possible via VW’s tailored for small EVs MEB platform. The power is sent to the front wheels only. Despite its colossal power, it can cover a distance of 400 km according to WLTP cycle standards.
“The ID. LIFE proves once again how uniquely flexible the MEB is. The platform is suitable for vehicles of all types, from small cars to vans,” says Thomas Ulbrich, member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for Development. “It’s the most scalable electrical architecture in the industry. We’re just beginning to tap into the potential of MEB. Performance, charging capacity and range will continue to improve with each new model and software update.”
More than anything else, the generous use of sustainable materials and paint finishes such on the fine coating for the body for which wood chips are used as a natural colouring element. In addition to this, there’s a paint hardener obtained from biologically degradable agents. Eco seat surfaces are also present in the cabin.
For the techies, there are several kinds of experiences to indulge into. Its infotainment screen can transform into a cinema or gaming lounge in a jiffy. This has been made possible via a video game console and projector screen that juts out from the dash. A queer bit is that both the benches fold down flat to generate cargo area, bed or a cinema theatre.
It’s not only the above that is so cool but even the wing mirrors and the IRVM, both of which are operated by camera image displays. To make sure the driver doesn’t take his eyes off the road, all the crucial functions are accessed via a touch panel on the hexagonal, open-topped steering wheel and a smartphone can also be paired with it and a host of functions such as navigation, music, videos and games can be accessed, streamed or played, as the case may be.
The ID. Life Concept is one of the brand’s primary steps towards a future where inexhaustible resources won’t have to be resorted to for fulfilling the diurnal requirements of all organisms. Where diesel and petrol cars have stringent norms to abide by, EVs will be more accessible as no government yardsticks will have to be followed. This comes as a manna from heaven, especially for VW group whose reputation had to be vilified because of the dieselgate emission scandal. If it succeeds in launching the car at the price it touts, then unequivocally by 2030, it will succeed in achieving its target to increase the presence of EVs in Europe by 70-percent and at least 50-percent in North America and China.
