Volkswagen ID Vizzion concept previews future Phaeton replacement

Among its hi-tech arsenal are LIDAR laser scanners, ultra-sound sensors and radar sensors, as well as a series of cameras at the front, rear and sides. A further central component in VW's vision for the future of production cars is an artificial intelligence system that goes beyond the model-based programming of today’s driver assistance systems and the machine learning capability of systems touted to be introduced within the next five years by providing fully independent decision-making processes that allow it to drive exclusively without human input.

VW said it predicts that both Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous driving functions will be a reality by 2025, suggesting fully hands-off driving will arrive faster than currently expected.  

Although the new concept car on display in Geneva goes without a steering wheel in a preview of VW’s plans to introduce fully autonomous driving capability to its production models by the end of next decade in a four-seat interior described as a lounge on wheels, the new saloon is planned to be launched with a more conventional control layout similar to that of other first-generation ID models.

“It’s our intention to launch the car with a steering wheel,” said Bischoff. "Although we are already thinking about the next step and that is full autonomous capability where the steering wheel will become superfluous.”  

The dimensions of the ID Vizzion back up VW's claims that it previews a new range-topping model. At 5163mm in length, 1947mm in width and 1506mm in height, it is 16mm shorter but 39mm wider and 56mm higher than the long-wheelbase Phaeton, VW’s long-running, range-topping saloon that ceased production in 2016.

The basis for the big one-box luxury car is VW’s MEB (modularen elektrik baukasten or modular electric architecture) platform. It has been tailored to the requirements of the ID Vizzion with a wheelbase of 3100mm – some 199mm shorter than that of the ID Buzz.

Powering the latest ID concept are two individual electric motors – one delivering 101bhp up front where it drives the front wheels and the other with 201bhp sited at the rear powering the rear wheels. Sourced from a modular range of in-house-produced electric motors that VW says will power the entire ID line-up, they provide the Vizzion with an overall system output of 302bhp, with drive channelled directly to each axle and, subsequently, all four wheels.

Although no weight figure has been revealed, computer simulations carried out by VW point to a 0-100km/h time of 6.3sec – which roughly compares to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powered Volkswagen Passat. The German car maker also provides a theoretical (limited) top speed of 180km/h.